After three nights of fistic fury at the National Gymnasium, the Guyana Defence Force Boxing Gym (GDF) boxers stood tall as they mounted a staunch defence of the Andrew `Sixhead’ Lewis National Novices Boxing Championships title Sunday night. Despite the GDF’s dominance, Police Boxing Gym’s Julian Clarke proved his mettle throughout the championships to be adjudged “Best Boxer”.
Clarke, who continually upped his game across the three nights, treated fans to a boxing classic by defeating GDF’s Joshua Thomas on points. The fighters brought out the best in each other but in the end, Clarke showed his pedigree to walk away with the bantamweight title.
The night began with Republican Gym’s Andrew Thompson securing the flyweight title with a points victory over GDF fighter Daniel Garnett. Thompson’s win meant that the reemerging Republican Gym had its first title of any kind after a five-year hiatus.
Andrew `Sixhead’ Lewis National Novices championships at the National Gymnasium.
Over in the featherweight division, Thompson’s gym mate Neville France could not replicate the same feat as he lost to GDF’s Melroy McPherson via a referee’s standing count in round two.
In what turned out to be a lopsided affair, the lightweight title went to GDF’s Oswald Jewan who subjected Police’s Lennox Harvey to a standing count in the first round.
The junior welterweight final served up an all GDF encounter with Joseph Gardner and Ronnel Captain’s fight going the distance. Gardner, however, was adjudged the winner on points.
In another all GDF final, Elliot Sinclair proved the better welterweight boxer by relegating Damon France to a points defeat.
Meanwhile, in the light middleweight class, Christopher Henry (GDF) boxed his way to a standing count win in round two over Osias Prince (Police) to clinch that division.
The Republican Gym clinched another title in the middleweight class with Timothy Fraser defeating GDF’s Orin Domingo via a standing count in round two of their clash.
The light heavyweight title went to the GDF with gym mates Sherwin Gravesande and Malachi Clarke duking it out. Gravesande, however, took home the spoils with a points victory.
Hullman Bovell would give Police another title with a round one standing count victory over GDF’s Darius Harris.
The final encounter of the night, the clash of the super heavyweights, saw Zidhan Wray scoring a round two standing count win over his gym mate Rayon Harry to give GDF their seventh title of the championship.
While the GDF retained their overall title, Police claimed the second spot while Republican settled for third place with their two wins.
Speaking to Stabroek Sports, Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle revealed; “We are happy that the tournament concluded incident free, meaning there were no injuries, and that is something that remains foremost in our minds”.
Ninvalle also expressed his pleasure at the return of the Republican Gym to competition; “We are very very happy to see the return of the Republican Gym which I believe did not participate in the last five years. I think the Republicans were able to snatch two championships out of the tournament which augurs well for the sport and that gym”.
He also expressed gratitude to the executive of the GBA, the boxers, officials and the spectators who he pointed out came out in their numbers.
The GBA will now focus on the upcoming Lennox Blackmore Intermediate Championships.
