By Emmerson Campbell
The Thirst Park Banks DIH Limited ground is set to ignite tonight when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) stages its six-fight card dubbed ‘Thirst Park Explosion.’
At least two of the explosions will come from the bombers on the card namely Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil.
Guyana’s first female world champion, O’Neil will defend her Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) heavyweight title against Pauline London, while headliner Eastman will defend his local middleweight title against Edmond DeClou in the main event.
Also on the card will be ‘Mr Chin Checker’ Simeon ‘Candy Man’ Hardy who will match gloves with Barbadian Julian ‘Thunder’ Tanniss in a six-round, junior middleweight bout while Clive ‘Wonder Kid’ Atwell will come up against journeyman Orlan ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers in a four round catchweight fight.
There will also be two return bouts; Jermaine ‘Star Boy’ King will have his much-awaited rematch with Mark Austin while Troy Lewis and Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore will try to settle the score after their first bout ended in a draw.
Welterweights King and Austin will duke it out in a six-round fight while middleweights Lewis and Azore will battle through eight rounds.
The scheduled 46 rounds of boxing will not go the distance if the fighters all live up to their predictions.
During the press conference for ‘Thirst Park Explosion’ yesterday which was held at the Banks DIH boardroom, the usual prefight barbs were thrown.
London, with much bravado, predicted that tonight will be all fireworks: “Is toe-to-toe lash, fireworks, just fireworks. I’m going to take her belt, it’s just fireworks. I will make her eat this right hand.”
O’Neil, in her response calmly smiled and stated the only belt London can take away is the belt that London’s coach is wearing and once she lands her bombs it will be “lights-out Pauline.”
Azore and Lewis both declared that no judges will be needed as they will be the judges of the fight.
King and Austin also went word-for-word, stating that they will be going for the knockout.
“Mark Austin, the People’s Choice is back in action.The last time he had a thrashing and this time is another thrashing. I am a package that is well prepared by George Opreht and this time is a full thrashing I’m going to knock you (King) out.”
King said he won the last time on points because he wasn’t training as he was on vacation:“It’s summertime in October – you getting knocked out, you not going no where, I’m putting you back on the shelf, you gonna get knockout this trip.”
Austin will be looking to make a statement after he lost his last bout via a knockout to Revlon Lake in June of this year.
Atwell said he will overwhelm Rogers and teach him a boxing lesson while Rogers claimed that although he received the fight on short notice he will take the younger ‘Kid’ to school.
Hardy, the knockout specialist, said that he will be dedicating this fight to his mother whom he lost 13 years ago and will be going all out for her. The ‘Candy Man’ also added that he made his pro debut one year to the day which was a 20-second demolition of Patrick Boston and if Tanniss fails the chin check test there could be a repeat of his last October 29 performance.
Tanniss said that he is no knockout artist but he has been in many battles before and will box his way to victory but if the KO presents itself he will go for it.
Eastman said he is going to ‘blast’ DeClou out of the ring, while the soft spoken DeClou highlighted that he has been unbeaten in his five bouts for the year and plans to make this one his sixth. DeClou said the boxing fans can expect something special from him.
Also at the press conference was Ryan Wissow, president of WIBA, Carlton Joao, Marketing Manager of Banks DIH, President of GBBC, Peter Abdool, who chaired the press conference, executive member of GBBC Howard Cox and Troy Peters, Communications Manager of Banks DIH
Joao wished the boxers well and said that his company was excited to be part of tonight’s card. He noted that the event will be under the Tropical Mist and Banks Beer brands.
Joao also mentioned that he expects a great turn out from the Guyanese public as boxing at Thirst Park was always exciting and very competitive.
Wissow, president of WIBA, said he loves Guyana and was elated to have O’Neil defending her title. He also said that he will be back in Guyana in December to witness Shondell Alfred defend her WIBA Bantamweight title. The WIBA boss also stated that he will be seeking to put together a light heavyweight World title fight for Sharon Ward, either against London or Veronica Blackman.
As a special attraction two lucky ticket holders will win a trip to the twin island republic, Trinidad and Tobago.
Sponsors of the event include Digicel, Giftland Office Max, Courts, Banks DIH Limited, Guyoil, NCN and Ansa McCal.
Tickets for the event will be sold only at the gate.
Admission for inner ringside is $2,500 while regular seats cost $1,000. Bell time is 20:00 hrs.
