Sakima Mullings was disappointed about the injury sustained to Andrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis since it jeopardized his February 21 ring date at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. That feeling dissipated when the WBC CABOFE welterweight titlist learned that he will still be headlining the ‘Caribbean Collision’ card versus Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell.
The 32-year old Jamaican was originally scheduled to defend his title against Guyana’s first world champion but Lewis, 44, suffered a hairline fracture to his collar bone while training last week, forcing the organizers to scramble for a replacement.
Fortunately for the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Atwell, 25, is eager to step into the ring and provide a decent test for Mullings.
Mullings 17 (12)-1-0 labelled Atwell an ‘accomplished’ opponent.
“Atwell is a multi-division champion and he has fought for the world title, he is also an accomplished amateur in winning the bronze medal at the 2007 Pan Am Games so with all those accolades. Clive is a very accomplished fighter and I am aware of his skills and ability”, Mullings told Stabroek Sport yesterday.
“I was really looking forward to fighting `Six Heads’ and coming to Guyana to defend my welterweight title but I am happy and grateful that the Guyana boxing board was able to find a worthy opponent with such credentials as Clive”.
Mullings who was training on the beach yesterday added that he is “fortunate and grateful that the organizers in Guyana were able to find Clive Atwell in such short period of time as a replacement in this fight because I am very familiar with Clive and I know that he is very accomplished as a fighter.”
Mullings and Atwell are scheduled to fight in the light welterweight division for a title to be announced.
The Dominica-based Atwell 12(7)-2-1 has lost his previous two fights, the latter by a questionable 10th round TKO versus Australia’s Kye ‘Frenzy’ MacKenzie in Australia last November.
The ‘Punisher’ will be looking forward to halt his losing streak versus the skillful Jamaican who won his last 13 fights, eight within the distance.
Undercard
The main supporting bout will feature CABOFE middleweight champion Edmond DeClou and national super middleweight title holder, Derrick Richmond in an eight-round middleweight rematch. DeClou has not been in the ring since October, 2013 after his career was shelved due to a broken jaw compliments of a left hand from Richmond.
Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques, the flyweight CABOFE title holder will lace it up against undefeated prospect, Quincy Gomes in a catch weight fight scheduled for six rounds.
USA’s Lorrissa ‘The Cheetah’ Rivas of Las Vegas, Nevada will face Guyanese, Sharon Ward. Their super middleweight bout is planned for four rounds.
The season premier also features debutants Travis Fraser and Charwyn Estwick matching gloves in a four-round light middleweight contest.
Tickets cost $3000 for ringside and half that amount for regular seating.
Bell time is 20:00hrs.
(Emmerson Campbell)
