JOSHUA Corbin enjoyed sweet revenge over Shamal Gittens in the final of the 128 to 135-pound weight class when the Inaugural Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Michael Parris Under-16 tournament concluded on Saturday at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Boxing Gym.The two boxers had squared off in the final of the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis national Novices championships a few weeks ago at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre ground and Gittens of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) secured a win in the final.
However, on Saturday, Corbin of Carryl’s Boxing Gym turned the table on Gittens, winning by unanimous points-decision in what was one of the better bouts on the day’s 11-fight card.
Because of Corbin‘s improvement in such a short space of time, he was adjudged the Most Improved Boxer.
The day’s activity attracted great support and all the spectators enjoyed themselves though they were cramped in a small space.
The opening bout which was a semi-final saw Shaquancy Wright of Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG) secure a points victory over 11-year old Leslie Marques of Harpy Eagles (HE) in the 64-69 lb division.
However, at the end of the bouts, Marques was rewarded for his courage of coming against a much older opponent and was given a special prize for being the `Youngest Boxer’ on show.
Wright returned later in the day and earned a points-decision win over his gym mate Deron Williams to take the title and was adjudged the Boxer with Potential. He also won for himself a pair of boxing shoes, compliments of Milton Bransford of Colours on Robb Street, Lacytown. This presentation will be done today at the entity.
In the 95-99 lb weight division, Omar Pollard of the Pocket Rockets Boxing Gym (PRBG) forced the referee to stop his semi-final contest against Traion Sealey (NOC) after 57 seconds.
Pollard returned later on the card and stopped Junior Hyman (EBG) at 1.36 secs of the third round to take the title.
In the 140-147lb weight division, Quincy Boyce of the Guyana Defence Force absorbed a number of head and body shots from Okedi Husbands (NOC) early in the fight but came back strongly and had Husbands on the receiving end later on and eventually won the fight on points.
Boyce returned later on the card and secured a points-decision victory over Husbands’ gym mate Kevin Benn to win the title.
In the semi-final of the 105-110lb division, Jamal Dowridge (HE) and Chris Charles (NOC) went after each other throughout the bout trading punches, but in the end, Dowridge came out on top.
The 116-119lb division final saw Harpy Eagles boxer John Dowridge pound his way to a 49-secs stoppage of PRBG’s Isaiah Jacobs to clinch the title and was later adjudged Best Boxer of the tournament.
Kevin Allicock was also in winners’ row as he used up just 1.11 secs to capture the 111-115lb weight division title.
The Best Coach awards went to PRBG’s Orland Rogers and HE’s Orrin London, while referee/judge Mark Drakes was adjudged Best Official on show. He earned a hamper, compliments of Nigel’s Supermarket.
Medford Wilson was also rewarded for his contribution as a referee/judge and received a hamper from Harris Paints.
The tournament’s Patron and Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist Michael Parris was present throughout the day’s activity and said he was appreciative of being the patron. He congratulated the Under-16 boxers and said he saw quite a lot of potential in them.