National elite boxer Charles Cox won over the judges with the backing of a boisterous and enthusiastic home crowd at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed on Saturday, the final night of the Ronald Wilson Memorial Caribbean Champions two-day tournament.
Competing against Desmond Amsterdam of Guyana in the light heavyweight (75-80 kg) bout, Cox, fighting out of the red corner, was one of few Barbadian boxers to win their regional fights. National boxers Peter Murray and Dave Richards also secured victories against their regional counterparts.
Hosted by the Barbados Boxing Association, the bout between Cox and Amsterdam lived up to the hype, featuring plenty of hard-hitting jabs. Cox used his height to his advantage, landing several punches to the upper body of his Guyanese opponent. From the outset, Amsterdam targeted Cox’s abdomen, leading to an intense exchange between the two.
Both fighters were visibly tired by the second of the three, three-minute rounds, but they gave their all in the final round, with many of the blows that were landed echoing loudly in the auditorium. In the end, the judges’ decision was unanimous, and Cox emerged victorious to the delight of the local supporters.
Though many eyes were focused on Cox and Amsterdam, the final bout of the evening was a good clash between local boxers Seth Lawrence of FightnFit Gym and Emmerson Hurley of Zenlife Gym in the super heavyweight (92+ kg) category.
Former Barbados national champion Christopher ‘Shaka’ Henry pose with some of the local regional fighters that participated in the Ronald Wilson Memorial Caribbean Champion Tournament.
Lawrence, the crowd favourite, went on to win the three-round bout, earning the title of Super Heavyweight Champion of Barbados.
In the 67-71 kg light middleweight category, Barbados’ Dave Richards took on David Florimond of Martinique. Richards effectively countered Florimond, who frequently got in close to launch his attacks.
When the final bell rang, it was Richards who was declared the winner, much to his delight. Peter Murray of Barbados also secured victory against Maxime Alexandre of Martinique in the light welterweight (60-63.5 kg) bout, with Murray’s efficient combinations proving too much for his opponent.
In the cruiserweight (80-86 kg) category, Barbadian Daniel Williams faced off against Ludovic Vilet of Martinique. Despite both fighters throwing punches in an effort to impress the judges, Vilet emerged as the winner, with Williams noticeably struggling with his breathing.
The welterweight bout between Kenai Mayers of Barbados and Michele Fidole of Martinique (63.5-67 kg) ended in the second round. Mayers, fighting out of the blue corner, sustained a series of blows including to the head that forced an early stoppage, with victory awarded to Fidole.
Barbados was also denied victory when Guyana’s Colin Lewis, boasting 10 years of experience, dominated the light welterweight bout against Barbadian Abishai Jn Baptiste, who only began boxing two years ago. (AS)
