‘I am not afraid of the storm’ – ‘Stone’ responds to Moses
THE seventh edition of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) ProAm fights punches off this Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), with Mandessa Moses and Sharon ‘Stone’ Warde matching gloves in the main event.
In an earlier interview with Chronicle Sport, Moses said Warde will not stand a chance when the two meet, while Warde is claiming to be a different kettle of fish in comparison to Moses’ previous opponents including the 51-year-old Margaret ‘Chico’ Walcott.
“I witnessed the ‘Chico’/Moses bout and to my mind, ‘Chico’ did nothing to represent herself in that bout, maybe because Mandessa was moving a lot which made her a difficult target to hit.
I don’t care how much she (Moses) moves, as I am prepared to go after her. She asked me to come and be prepared to fight so I am doing so. I am a different kettle of fish and as long as Christ in on this vessel, I am not afraid of the storm.”
The 41-year-old mother of one has an incredible record of 5-4-1, and can best be remembered for her three battles with Veronica London in which she lost two of them while coming away with a victory in the other.
She last fought on the ProAm card in May when she was held to a draw by Kwinda Rogers and according to Warde, Rogers should have been given a standing eight-count by referee Eion Jardine after she spat out her mouth guard.
“When I was called to fight this time around, I was hoping they would have given me Kwinda, seeing that we fought to a draw when we met the first time. While I am not sidestepping Mandessa, I am looking forward to facing Kwinda again.
“She (Kwinda) should have been given a standing eight-count after spitting out her mouth guard but the referee did not do such and I am looking to set the record straight, hence I would like a rematch with her,” said Warde.
She continued: “I am looking forward to facing Mandessa so I don’t want persons to get me wrong. I am training hard, even harder than before for this encounter while I am physically and mentally prepared for her.
“I have had a look at her so I know what she can and cannot do and have been training towards countering her every move. A lot of people would be there looking to see her overcome me, but I am going out there to prove them wrong.
Sharon ‘Stone’ is no pushover like Alicia Marques and Margaret ‘Chico’ Walcott and come Friday night, I plan to implement all that I was taught by my coach for this fight and at the same time, look to give the crowd a treat for their money.”
The Linden-based Warde also expressed an interest in fighting Debbie Tyson who suffered an unanimous decision loss to Pauline London in last month’s edition of the ProAm fights, while disclosing she wants nothing more to do with Pauline London, due to her unprofessional behaviour.
“I would love to face Debbie Tyson once again, as she is a very worthy opponent in comparison to Pauline London. In fact, I am annoyed at the way London handles her business, which to my mind is unprofessional.
After I defeated her, she publicly lashed out at me claiming my victory over her was a fluke and she needed a rematch, shortly after the decision was announced that Kwinda and I had fought to a draw and to my mind, that was unprofessional,” stated Warde.
The woman who holds a national record in the Guyana Amateur Power Lifting Federation (GAPLF) when she squatted 305 lb and dead lift a further 25 1/4lb more added: “If she needed a rematch, she could have gone about asking for same in a more professional manner and certainly her request would have been granted as I am not afraid of anyone and I am a much better fighter than she is any day.
When asked if she will be looking for a knockout in her contest with Moses this Friday, Warde quickly responded in the negative, saying a commanding win would be just as good as a knockout for her. 
“She (Moses) has been (defeating) all her opponents in a commanding way and my aim is to not to be in that group.
“My aim is to gain back the respect of the older women she defeated.
“While a knockout would be great, I am not looking for one as it can throw you off your game plan.
“But if it does present itself, I will take it. Other than that, I am looking to chalk up a commanding victory over her.” stated Warde.
This is a catch weight bout and with both fighters promising to give the crowd a treat for their money in this segment of the sport that is being used by both the GBBC and GABA, calling it would be difficult.
The official press conference is scheduled for today at 14:00 h at NCN Channel 11, the same station which would be broadcasting the card live from 20:00 h Friday night for those who are unable to make their way down to the venue to witness it.