T&T’s elite boxer Donnel Phillip cruised into yesterday’s semifinal of the 67kg Elite division with a unanimous decision win over Jemel Joesph 5-0 on the opening day of the National Boxing Championships at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville on Wednesday night.
The fight was expected to be the feature bout on the night following Phillip’s resume, which featured his experience of having represented the country at the Olympic Qualifier last year, as well as a debut appearance at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where he was beaten on points in a 60kg contest 5-0 by Tunga Oyumbaatar of Mongolia.
On Wednesday, though Phillip had the upper hand, dominating every round of the three-round contest to earn the right to face his namesake, Shalom Phillip, in the round of four. Phillip (Shalom) squeezed into the semis as an outside choice after three other participants in the division, Ishmael Hypolite, Stanley Brooks, and Nevin Byer, did not show up for action.
Coach Vicki Boodram, appointed the head coach of the boxing program ahead of the coming Olympic boxing cycle, said the final of the 67kg division will take place tonight, with the winner expected to take on the Guyanese champion in an exhibition contest.
Also on Wednesday, Joshua James pulled off a unanimous decision victory over Kel Sobers in an 80 kg novice contest; Kestell Ramdass of the Evolution Boxing Gym outpointed Joshua Harripersad (MA); and Matias Hernandez received one of two walkover wins on the night at the expense of Elijah Hosein.
The other walkover victory fell into the lap of Akeem Jack of the GFB Gym after Triston Peterkin of the TEB Gym failed to show up.
Boodram said she would be on the lookout not only for victories but for technical and tactical superiority, as well as discipline.
RESULTS
Day 1: 22nd January
67kg Novice
1. Elijan Hosein (SBE) vs. Matias Hernandez (FLFF) winner walkover
2. Akeem Jack (GFB) winner walkover vs. Triston Peterkin (TEB)
80kg Novice
4. Kel Sobers (MA) vs. Jousha James (HFB) winner RSC 2
5. Jonathan Trim (EBG) vs. Jabari Hall (BBG) winner points
92+kg Novice
6. Kestell Ramdass (EBG) winner points vs. Jousha Harropersad (MA)
75kg Youth
7. Luke Teesdale (CBG) winner points vs. Antonio Jagna (EBG)
8. Glendrown Alexander (CBG) vs. Zade Williams (CBG)winner points
67kg Elite
10. Jemel Joesph (SBG) vs. Donnel Phillip (HFB) winner points
YESTERDAY’S CARD (23rd January)
71kg Novice
Raymond James (EFC) vs. Jeremiah James (YBG)
60kg Novice
1. Shiva Toolsie (EBG) vs. Lijer Hem Lee (FLFF)
63.5kg Novice
2. Aiden Rampaul (EBB) vs. Darrious Pitt (TEB)
67kg Novice
3. Christian Williams (SBG) vs. Matias Hernandez FLFF
4. Akeem Jack (GFB) vs. Zachary Gonzales (HFB)
75kg Novice
5. Nicholas Elliott (HFB) vs. Xavier Campbell (TEB)
86kg Novice
6. Rondel Oliver (HFB) vs. Dylan Dukhan (EBG)
67kg Elite
8. Donnel Phillip HBG vs. Shalome Phillip (GFB)