GUYANA’S Clive `The Punisher’ Atwell yesterday put his signature to the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) contract to fight Jamaica’s hard-hitting Sakima Mullings on February 21 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.The 12-round fight between Atwell and Mullings is the feature bout on the GBBC’s five-fight card and will have at stake the World Boxing Council’s CABOFE Junior Welterweight title.

Also signing their contracts yesterday were; Travis Fraser, Keeve Allicock, Quincy Gomes, Edmond DeClou, Derick Richmond, Mark Austin and Dexter Gonsalves.
Austin and Gonsalves will square off in an eight-round junior welterweight contest, while DeClou and Richmond are down to contest an eight-round middleweight bout.
Allicock and Gomes will battle over four rounds in a lightweight contest and Travis Fraser will make his debut in professional boxing when he comes up against another debutant in Barbados-based Guyanese Charwin Estwick over four rounds.
Speaking at yesterday’s contract-singing, Atwell, who took the fight on short notice after the original contender for the title, Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis was ruled unfit due to a shoulder injury sustained while preparing for the fight, said he respects Mullings and knows that he (Mullings) is a heavy puncher, but he (Atwell) is well prepared and raring to get into the ring with his Jamaican counterpart.
“I’m back in gym and am 110 percent fit and ready for Mullings,” Atwell declared, adding “I know he’s a heavy puncher, but in all my training sessions since returning to Guyana for the fight, I’ve been working on my punching power.”
Atwell reflected on his fight against Johnny Gonzales stating that Gonzales possesses tremendous power but he (Gonzales) was unable to stop him. (Atwell).
“Just as how I evaded Gonsales’ power shots and succeeded, I will evade Mullings’ own also and my speed will take dominance against him.
Mullings, who is no stranger to Guyana’s soil, had hinted that he wanted to beat Lewis in his own backyard, after learning that Lewis was injured and Atwell is the replacement, said he would do likewise with Atwell.
Atwell said with the exception of Howard Eastman whom Mullings defeated recently, he (Atwell) is confident that he can do better than the rest of the local fighters who failed to get past the Jamaican.
“This is not a fight between two persons, it is a fight between two nations,” Atwell stated, adding, “I lost two fights in a row and I don’t feel any immediate pressure as my mind and body are in shape and that’s the most important thing for me.”
Atwell said himself and Mullings are very good friends and it is his hope that the relationship will continue, regardless of the outcome of the bout.
Fight time on February 21 is 20:00hrs and admission is $1 500 for the stands and $3 000 for ring side.
The GBBC would like to thank Giftland OfficeMax, Digicel, Banks DIH Limited, Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Insurance, COURTS and the Guyana Tourism Authority among others for coming on board and supporting the card.

(By Michael DaSilva)