-says Eastman, as war of words erupts at press conference
By Calvin Roberts
“I am like old wine, getting better with age.”
Those were the words of Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman at the press conference organized by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) to promote the upcoming card entitled ‘Judgement Day’ this Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
“I am looking to fight. I am a fighter, that’s what I do for a living and I just want to fight so that my fans at home can have the opportunity of seeing me in action and I do appreciate the work of the GBBC for giving me the opportunity to fight in front of my home fans,” Eastman added.
Questioned about his awareness of Denny “Deadly” Dalton whom he will be facing for the national middleweight championship, Eastman said that he had never paid any attention to any of his opponents until he was in the ring with them.
“One of the things I don’t do is to have a look at my opponents. I study legendary fighters whilst my trainer is the one who has to find footage of and study my opponent and train me accordingly, but after I beat him on Saturday, I will look at the tape.”
He added: “However, I saw Dalton at the National Gymnasium and he is a good fighter and I just want to perform to the best of my ability to entertain you guys come Saturday night. There are a lot of young talent in Guyana of which I am a part.”
The 37-year-old Eastman, who twice fought for world titles, also stated that his preparation period was not as long as other fighters as he is always prepared mentally and physically for fights even before being notified.
“I am always thinking over and if a fight shows its opportunity, it only takes me two to three weeks to get prepared, but physically and mentally I am prepared for encounters such as this.”
Dalton, in reply, stated that come ‘Judgement Day’ his fist will do the talking when he faces Eastman.
“I have been training long before this fight was scheduled so I am in top condition. Whatever he says, I hope he can back up as come Saturday night by God’s grace I will be victorious over him.”
The spark of the press conference came from national female heavyweight champion Pamela London and her opponent Veronica Blackman.
Both pugilists are going against each other not only for the national title but also the World Boxing Council (WBC) International female heavyweight title with the winner being guaranteed a crack at champion Vonda Ward for the WBC heavyweight championship.
London was last active four years ago when she lost to Trinidadian Kim Quashie and has vowed that this fight will be a terrible one for Blackman.
“I am the female heavyweight champion of Guyana and come Saturday night, I am going to retain my title. I have fought more accomplished fighters before her including former two-time world champion Gwendolyn O’Neil and there is no way she can defeat me and take my title.”
Blackman refused to be intimidated by her opponent and promised to inflict the worst beating ever given to London.
“This fight means a lot to me and when I step into the ring with you Saturday night, I will inflict the worst beating you ever got from a female boxer. You will ask yourself, ‘ I am fighting a woman or a man’?”
She added:“Saturday night is going to be the biggest fight in my life. I am coming sharp as I need this victory to prove to all those who have doubts, that I can beat and I will beat Pamela London.”
London refused to be threatened by Blackman’s remarks and without any hesitation, slapping her hand on the desk, notifying her opponent to stop dreaming.
“It is 11:00hrs in the morning and you are still in bed. I am the heavyweight champion of Guyana and on Saturday night, I will prove to you that I am when I give you the finest cut tail you ever had. No one will be around to help you out as it will be you and I in the ring and my fist will do the talking whilst you will be listening and at the end of it, I will be the one challenging Vonda Ward for her title.”
London also took matters into her own hands, when she challenged O’Neil to a rematch to which the latter readily accepted.
WBC’s fight supervisor William Boodhoo was expected in Guyana last night with not only the WBC International heavyweight belt, but also to perform the duties of fight supervisor for this fight which supports the main bout.
Other fights on the card will pit Michael De Mattos against Joel Mc Rae and following comments made by Lennox Daniels, De Mattos’ s trainer, who predicted that his charge will be the victorious one, Mc Rae stated that he will be beating his opponent like a drum.
“Everyone who can have a mouth to talk but Saturday night I will be the better man in the ring and I will certainly beat him up like a drum.”
Even Shelly Gibson wasted no time in predicting a victory for herself over Trinidad-based Andrea Duncan by stating that no newcomer can defeat her in the ring.
“I have said this all the time and will do so now. No newcomer can ever or will ever beat me. I have been around too long in this game to permit such to happen.”
Another spark arose at the press conference when Cecil Smith told his opponent Charlton Skeete that he will knock him out in the second round but Skeete smiled and replied in the same vein to his opponent.
The weigh-in for this card will take place tomorrow night at the New Palm Court on Main Street and will be carried live on NCN television as well as the card.
Platinum sponsors Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) will get the fans involved by judging rounds and from the steam let off by the boxers, Saturday night will certainly be ‘Judgement Day’ for some.