Bess gets Cox instead of Fraser
PRIOR to facing Kurt Bess for the national cruiserweight title, Barbados-based Guyanese Cleveland Fraser told Chronicle Sport he wishes to match gloves with World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Shawn Cox from Barbados. Not to be outdone, Bess himself called for a matchup with the Barbadian and having knocked out Fraser to take the cruiserweight title, followed by another stunning victory over Mitchell Rogers which landed him the heavyweight title, Bess’ cry did not fall on deaf ears.
The powers that be within the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) sought and were granted permission from those in authority at CABOFE to have Cox conduct a mandatory defence against Bess here in Guyana.
This gigantic clash will take place at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), when the GBBC in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport punches off the 19th edition of their monthly ProAm boxing card.
President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, had told Chronicle Sport at the time, he does not foresee a problem if Fraser or Bess is looking to challenge Cox for the CABOFE title.
“If both Bess and Fraser feel comfortable and wish to take on Cox, then I have no problem with that, in fact, I will, in my capacity as president of CABOFE, make that fight happen and if possible, have it occur right here in Guyana.
“In fact, Shawn is due for a title defence and they are a lot of fighters in the division under CABOFE, who are looking for an opportunity, including, Kwesi Jones, Bess, Fraser and even Howard Eastman, so if Bess and Fraser want to challenge Corbin, I will definitely make it happen for them,” said Abdool.
The 36-year-old Cox, who is known as ‘The Sniper’ in the boxing fraternity, has an impressive record which reads 14-1, with 13 of his wins coming by the knockout route, highlighting the power he packs in both his hands.
In September of last year, he fought and defeated local journeyman Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes by a unanimous decision then returned one month later to record a knockout win over Anthony Augustine, defeating both pugilists at the CASH.
How the 31-year-old Bess’ record reads 5-4 with three stunning knockouts against Cox is left to be seen and while many of his opponents say he packs a powerful right hand, it will be up to those in attendance at the venue next month, to pass judgement on same.
Preceding the Bess/Cox encounter, will be a rematch in the welterweight division over eight rounds between Mark Austin of Guyana and Barbados’ Miguel Antoine.
When they first met in February of this year, not only did Antoine record a unanimous decision victory over Austin, but he took the Commonwealth zonal title in the welterweight division as well and certainly, Austin will be looking to avenge that defeat which was his first in the pro ranks.
Gordel Roberts, another Barbadian pugilist will match gloves with Guyana’s Dominica-based Clive Atwell in a junior lightweight six-round bout while both Prince Slowe and Hewley Robertson will be making their debut in the pro ranks when they face each other in a four-round bantamweight clash.
Apart from the four professional bouts, there will be four amateur matchups involving some of the country’s upcoming pugilists and with the Briso Promotions card which was set for the Princess Hotel on Monday December 26 being postponed to a later date, this card can very well serve as a treat to local boxing fans.
The card will be sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd, GUYOIL (Castrol), Giftland OfficeMax, Ansa McAl and local furniture and electronic distributors Courts (Guyana) Limited. Bess, Austin, Robertson and Slowe affixed their signatures to honour their ring date at the offices of Abdool and Abdool Insurance Limited on Thursday afternoon.
The admission price remains $1 000 and those attending the card are asked to retain their ticket stubs for a special drawing at the end of the bouts, as the winner will receive two airline tickets to Trinidad and Tobago compliments of REDjet Airlines.