By Emmerson Campbell
Following his 12th round TKO demolition of Trinidad and Tobago’s Prince Lee Isidore to lift the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) CABOFE junior welterweight title with a world class performance, Clive ‘Wonder Kid’ Atwell has his sights set on a World title.
The 23-year-old, who is also the national featherweight champion is arguably Guyana’s best pound-for-pound boxer and is perhaps Guyana’s best bet to lift a World title in the not too distant future.
During an interview with the ‘Wonder Kid’ on Sunday, the undefeated champion, who boasts a record of eight wins (four KO’s) and a draw said that negotiations are in place for him to have a title shot most likely in the lightweight division, in the near future.
“World champion sounds good and that is what I want to be,” said Atwell. “I want to box with World class opponents and have World class people around me, negotiations are presently in place to end up in the right hands with the right people as it relates to obtaining a World title, as it relates to weight it would most likely be in the lightweight division though, there is nothing but great things in store, we work hard and we will see results soon.”
Despite winning a title in the featherweight and junior welterweight divisions, the CABOFE champion said that the lightweight division was his strongest weight adding that he would take calculated risks in order to win titles in multiple weight divisions.
“My strongest weight is lightweight but in every champion’s life they take calculated chances in order to achieve goals and that is what I did, I don’t intend to stay at junior welterweight for long but it is a stepping stone.
“In every boxer’s life, accomplishing maximum success in more than one division is always a plus for the record, the legacy and every thing,” he added.
Atwell said that he was temporarily looking to control the divisions from featherweight (126 pounds) to junior welterweight (140 pounds).
“I’m looking at lightweight but I am looking to control from featherweight to junior welterweight temporarily, we are now in a position to somewhat call shots but we will see how it goes.”
“I am the featherweight champion, I took out the lightweight champion (KO’d Revlon Lake in round four three months ago) and I am the junior welterweight champion,’ he boasted.
When quizzed on if the fluctuation of weight will have an effect on his body the’ Wonder Kid’ replied: “I have no problem, I don’t think it will affect me because I live a healthy life style and I work very hard when it comes to strengthening, stamina or what ever so once there is adequate preparation, it would not affect me.”
Atwell, who is based in Dominica, stated that negotiations are also in place to have him in the ring again as early as December against a quality opponent.
“At present negotiations are ongoing to have me in action again in December. There are a few opponents out there but I don’t want to go out calling names but I know the public can look out for me in the near future.
“For sure it will be a fighter of calibre because I don’t want someone that will just put a win on my record when I exit the ring; I should feel that I accomplished something and that my skills were tested.”
During the interview, Atwell also thanked God for his talent, his friends, his coaches, his family and supporters.
