I‘m going back to Guyana with the world championship knockout – Atwell

GUYANA’S Clive ‘the Punisher’ Atwell will always be remembered by many as the amateur fighter who ruled with an iron fist – literally – having won bronze in the 2007 Pan American Games that was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the Bantamweight division and also having an illustrious career. Today, the 25-year-old will seek to set a new legacy as he faces Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzales for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Featherweight title tonight at the Convention Centre in Acapulco, Mexico.
At the Pre-fight Press Conference, Atwell said, “I’m a boxer and classy high quality so I ‘m going back to Guyana with the world championship. I have the strength and power to win by knockout.”
The Mexican media believed that Atwell seemed a little too ambitious for thinking he can put Gonzales to sleep.
Gonzalez, who also holds the International Boxing Organisation Featherweight title was his usual self, only mentioned that he wants to “get into the ring and feel active. I feel motivated and very happy. I have no inactivity to hurt me, was training in a good way and I’m ready to defend the world championship”.
The 32-year-old Mexican is regarded by many pundits of the sport as one of the best fighters in his division and he has a record that substantiates those claims, winning 55 of his 63 fights and losing only eight times in his career that stretches back to 1999.
For Atwell, some believe that the world’s number 12 ranked shot at the world title was rightfully deserved while some claim his management should’ve waited a little longer before pursuing any title.
Atwell has been showing vast improvement since making his smooth transition from amateur to professional in 2010.
Atwell won his first belt – the vacant Guyana Featherweight title – in dramatic fashion by knocking out Rudolph Fraser in round two of twelve at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Four months later, he won the vacant WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light welterweight belt, stopping Trinidadian Prince Lee Isidore with a 12-round TKO.
The boxing world began to take notice of the smart-talking Agricola resident who seems to only know how to win via the knock-out route.
Atwell’s victory over Columbia’s Rafael Hernandez later not only landed him the vacant WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Featherweight title but also a World ranking, placing him in some very elite company.
He then went on to win his next three fights in regular fashion – by TKO – and soon after came the opportunity to face Gonzales and a chance to etch his name in Guyana’s rich boxing history.

Guyana’s Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell (left) and Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzales after weigh-in ahead of the WBC Featherweight title fight