Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell (12-1-1, 7 KOs) returned to Guyana yesterday after suffering his first professional defeat on Saturday night in Mexico following a technical decision loss to WBC world featherweight champion, Jhonny Gonzalez (56-8, 47 KOs).
When Stabroek Sport spoke to the fighting pride of Guyana soon after arriving, he mentioned that his team will be hosting a press briefing later in the week to answer questions from the media which will be followed by a party.
Despite failing in his first bid to capture the title in Gonzalez’s backyard, ‘The Punisher’ who took on Gonzalez’s on six weeks notice proved that with the right training and support he has what it take to be a future world champion.
The bout which was staged at the Convention Centre in Acapulco, Guerrero,Mexico, was stopped by the referee in the 10th round after Gonzalez sustained a cut over his left eye from a clash of heads.
The fight then went to the judges score cards which saw Gonzalez winning quite handily.
Gonzalez, 32 retained his title with scores of 99-89,96-92 and 98-90 over the #12 ranked Atwell.
Notes: Saturday’s fight was the 25- year old’s first professional outing on foreign soil. Gonzalez made the first defense of the title he recaptured in August last year with a shocking first round stoppage of then undefeated, Abner Mares in Carson, California.
