It’s fight day for Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell in the biggest fight of his life.
The 25-year-old fighting pride of Guyana ((12-0-1, 7 KOs) will step into the ring against grizzled veteran, WBC featherweight champion, Jhonny Gonzalez (55-8, 47 KOs) around 23:00hrs at the Convention Center in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.
After both fighters made weight at 125.6lbs yesterday, it’s now time to get ready to rumble.
Gonzalez will be making the first defense of the title he recaptured in August last year with a shocking first round stoppage of the then undefeated, Abner Mares in Carson, California.
The 32-year-old has knockout power, a penchant for spoiling records and a wealth of experience over the underdog contender. Perhaps the only thing in Atwell’s favour, is the ring rust of the champion.
‘The Punisher’ is strong, hungry and has not learned to lose since turning pro four years ago but his opponents barring Rafael Hernandez have left a lot to be desired.
Tonight’s professional fight will be Atwell’s first outside of Guyana, so it remains to be seen how well he will react to fighting in a foreign land especially in front of a rabid pro-Gonzalez crowd.
More than anything, a lack of experience will be the biggest hurdle Atwell has to cross.
It will be tough to pull off a victory against a fighter of Gonzalez calibre in Mexico. However as history would show, upsets happen in the sport of boxing.
Atwell vs. Gonzalez will be carried by Televisa Deportes.
Will Guyana salute a new world champion or will Atwell suffer his first professional defeat? Those questions will be answered tonight in Mexico.
