… clears air on ill-informed media reports

GUYANA’S world boxing champion Clive `The Punisher’ Atwell yesterday cleared the air on what he described as ill-informed reports that have been appearing in other sections of the media over the past few weeks.Addressing a press conference yesterday at the Millennium Manor Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Atwell who will be fighting Mexican Johnny Gonzalez on May 24 for the World Boxing Council’s Junior Welterweight title said he is saddened by the reports that have been appearing in the dailies.
He said those reports are negative and have disrupted his management team, since none of the reports has credence.
According to Atwell, it is his view that the person who wrote the articles knows nothing about what transpired between his management team and the organisers of the world title fight concerning his purse for the August 24 title fight.
`The Punisher’ who holds several national titles and is also a CABOFE champion in two divisions informed members of the media that the title fight is not a mandatory defence by Gonzalez, but rather a voluntary defence.
This, he said, means that a fighter’s purse for a voluntary title fight depends on the boxer’s record, like who that boxer fought and where he fought his fights.
Atwell admitted that he has only fought 12 professional bouts, winning all of them and all were fought on home soil.
He said his only recognised fight was against Venezuela’s Rafael Hernandez here in Guyana.
The boxer stressed that persons need to put aside their differences and the most important thing is for him to win another world title.
The cagey boxer stated that he has a decent relationship (business relationship) with his management team and the case at hand is to win a world title.
The champion thanked all Guyana for the support he has been receiving over the past months and that he is thankful for the interest shown by the public leading up to the May 24 fight.
Atwell stated that it is unfair to ‘mess’ with an individual’s character since this will cause an effect on the camp which puts a stumbling block on certain deals concerning purse etc.
President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdool, who was also present at the press conference along with former Guyana lightweight world-rater Lennox Blackmore, head coach Lennox Daniels and boxing promoter Seon Bristol, along with Millennium Manor Hotel proprietor Lance Bacchus echoed Atwell’s statements and said he is grateful that Atwell has gotten an opportunity to fight for a world title and said the negativity of the statements made by certain media reporters is very damaging.
He stated that the negative publicity implies that Atwell’s management team does not know what they are about.
Abdool, who is an executive of the WBC said for quite some time he has been calling on the WBC to allow Guyanese to come to the fore once again and reminded that all 12 of Atwell’s fight have been on the GBBC `Fight Nights’ cards. “Clive is now hungry and has the ability to beat Gonzalez and it is a very short journey now to the fight,” Abdool stated.
In brief comments, Bristol said he is here to give Atwell all the support he needs to achieve his aim.
Bristol, who is based in the United States said he is overwhelmed to be a part of Team Atwell and while Atwell will be training for a short time at the Gleeson’s Gym in New York, he (Bristol) will provide accommodation and meals for the management team. He will also be in Mexico for the August 24 title fight.
Bristol also lashed out at sections of the media, who, according to him, made derogatory statements and said “the priority right now is what we have ahead of us”.
He said he had serious discussions with Atwell and told him what the advantages of fighting for a world title are and also mentioned that there is always a chance for the underdog.
At this point, Atwell said that Bristol will captain the management ship.
Blackmore, in brief remarks, also said he saw Atwell fight, saw how he has been preparing, is confident of Atwell’s management team and is very impressed with what he has been seeing.
The former Guyana lightweight champion said he saw Gonzalez fight on a number of occasions and know for sure that Atwell can get past him.
When asked about the high altitude in Mexico and the thin air he will be inhaling, Atwell informed that for the past three weeks he has been training with an oxygen mask which can increase the air or decrease it.
Abdool informed that Atwell will be fighting in Acapulco Mexico which is a mere 98 feet above sea level and not Mexico which is a few thousand feet above sea level.
Atwell is scheduled to arrive in Mexico one week prior to his title fight.
Herman Harris, the father of a former Guyana world champion Vivian Harris who was also present said he has been there and knows what Atwell has to expect. He wished Atwell well in his endeavours.
Atwell’s coach Daniels said at the beginning of their preparation for the title fight, there were many ups and downs but Atwell has gotten over them and is about 75 percent mentally and physically fit and that come fight night, he (Atwell) will be 100 percent fit both physically and mentally.
Atwell in closing remarks said the mind controls everything and he has a way making bad things good. “I have a job to do and have been disregarding negative publicity.”