2nd edition of the Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Boxing Tournament … Guyana and Trinidad share spoils in closely contested tournament

May 15, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ontested-tournament/

By Michael Benjamin  
In what can be regarded as an improved performance, Guyanese boxers chalked up three victories to keep their hopes alive for championship honours when action continued in the 2nd edition of the Caribbean Schoolboys and Junior Boxing Tournament at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, last Saturday evening.

However, it was not a cut and dried issue since Trinidad and Tobago also showed some resistance after registering 2 victories from their five fights.
The night’s proceedings were characterized by several knockouts, none more stunning than Guyanese, Omar Pollard’s 29 seconds humiliation of Trinidadian, Edwin Felix, in their 54kgs Schoolboys shindig, winning the gold medal in that division. The chimes of the bell were still resonating when Pollard sprinted out and delivered several clouts to his opponents head. In all, approximately ten punches were thrown, all by the Guyanese pugilist. They landed with force and sent Felix to the canvass where he remained for the entire count.
The 40kgs Schoolboys finals between Guyanese, Richard Howard (jnr) and Trinidadian, Abdul Taylor, was also a brutal affair. Both pugilists went after each other from the onset and the small crowd was treated to a good display of attack and counter attack.  The vicious exchanges of the first round set the pace for the second. Howard rushed out and backed his opponent to the ropes, mercilessly pummeling his man. The Trinidadian braved the storm but apparently did not see the roundhouse right that thudded into his temple and sent him spread-eagled to the canvas. He remained there for the better part of five minutes while the medical experts attended to him. He was then taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, while Howard celebrated the gold medal feat.
Leon Moore also scored a gold medal win for Guyana in the 44kgs schoolboys division when he out boxed Trinidadian, Tyrique Hosein. Despite losing, the Trinidadian displayed a fair aptitude of the sport from the onset when he attempted to bully his opponent in the early stages of the first frame. Moore refused to be bullied and retaliated with a two fisted attack that forced the referee to institute a mandatory 8 count on the Trinidadian. Hosein refused to say die and came out swinging in the 3rdround. He connected with a wicked right cross and the referee jumped in and counted Moore. Upon resumption, Moore surprised his man and attacked with venom. The two gladiators engaged in toe to toe combat and only stopped when the bell rang. It was truly a valiant performance by the Trinidadian but it turned out to be a mite too late and he dropped the decision on points.
The Trinidadians also enjoyed successful moments earlier in the night when Nyrel Hosein outboxed Guyanese, Patrick Harvey to take their 46kgs bout and the gold medal that went with it. Hosein, the taller of the duo, utilized his height advantage to good effect, jabbing and crossing and moving out of range before his opponent could have asserted himself, Pompey attempted to weave his way in but the Trinidadian kept him at bay with long left jabs and right crosses. It was easy pickings for Hosein who was eventually adjudged the unanimous winner.

Guyanese, Shemar Hutson, also had a nightmarish experience when he fought Trinidadian, Juan Rodriguez for the gold in the 52kgs schoolboys division. Rodriguez was all business and less than one minute into the fight he scored with a crunching right hand that forced the referee to institute the mandatory 8 count.  Upon resumption, the Trinidadian attacked and an especially hard clout to Hutson’s temple sent him down for the referee to administer the count before deciding that the fight should be halted. The time was 1:27secs of the first stanza.
Guyanese, Emmanuel Pompey, stayed around for 1:52secs of the first frame during which time his opponent, St Lucian, Kimlyn Martie, fired away at his hapless body. After seeing no level of resistance the referee wisely waved off the one sided affair.
St Lucia also added to the Guyanese woes when their representative, Kimlyn Martie bulldozed Guyanese Emmanuel Pompey and forced the referee to call a halt to the proceedings at 1:52secs of the first stanza. This bout was in the 63kgs schoolboys’ category.
The night’s activity also saw several all local bouts and once again Shaquancy Wright showed his dominance by stopping Neil Garraway in just 57secs of the first stanza of their 35kgs schoolboys’ affair. Sean Graham also forced a stoppage of his 32kgs schoolboys match against Laterell Richards. Vickacy Graham is small in stature but he packed enough power to rock Moses Crawford on several occasions before winning on points.
Other winners were Isaiah Moore over Junior Hyman in the 50kgs division, Jaquan Milo from Mark Crawford in the 52kgs division and Inshaun Khan, who was gifted a walk over after Anthony Patterson was a no show for their 56kgs encounter.  Two of the country’s seasoned amateurs, Keevin Allicock and Delon Charles also entertained the audience with a three rounds exhibition shindig. The boxers were at it again last night in the finals where the top country would have been established followed by the prize giving ceremony.

Guyana’s Richard Howard knocks out Abdul Taylor of T&T on Saturday. (Sean Devers photo)