KNOCKOUTS and technical knockouts were the order of the night when the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis’ Inaugural National Novices championships got under way at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre (California Circle) on Saturday evening.The tournament which attracted pugilists from 10 boxing gyms from across the country saw competition in all the weight divisions, from junior flyweight to heavyweight and was scheduled to conclude last evening with the semifinals and finals in all weight categories.
On Saturday night, however, it was a slugfest in most of the bouts, if not all of them, and the more favoured gyms – Guyana Defence Force and Republicans – accounted for most of the knock-out or technical knock-out victories.
After 28 bouts on the opening night, the 2013 National Novices champion Gym, GDF, won 12 fights, while the Republicans who won the championships last year finished with six victories.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) won five fights on Saturday night and the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym (FYF) won two.
There was one victory each for Harpy Eagles (HE), Essequibo Boxing Gym (Essequibo) and Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ).
Winning for GDF were Akeem Henry who secured a points decision over Republicans’ Devon Manroop in a lightweight contest; Colin Lewis scored a 2nd round TKO win against Troy Ridley (GPF); Royden Joseph won by a TKO at two minutes 59 seconds (2:59) of the first round against Marques Allison (GPF) in a super heavyweight bout; Michael Worrell secured a first-round (1:59) TKO win against Mahesh Singh (Republican); Milton Isaacs won a points decision over Junior Kelly (Republican) in a junior welterweight scrap; Kevin DeFreitas won by the TKO route at 1:40 of the third round against Republican’s Lawrence Lewis; Leon Andrews knocked out Clement Polycarp (Republican) at 40m seconds of the first round and Shaquile DeYoung got a TKO win against Kumi Israel (FYF). Colin Lewis in his second fight of the night defeated his gym mate Marley Ross; Mickle Sancho beat Junior Nurse (Republican) on points and Royden Joseph in his second fight for the night upstaged Osafo Williams (Republican).
In other results from Saturday night; Danny Thompson (Republican) edged Keon Williams (GDF) on points in a bantamweight contest, then secured a TKO win against Williams’ gym mate King Aaron.
Israel (FYF) scored a TKO win against Keith Harris (GPF) before exiting the championships with a loss against GDF’s DeYoung, while Akeem Sutherland (GPF) whipped Kevin Ranking (Republican) then went past Henry in his second bout of the evening.
Kevin Sookoo (RHJ) scored a second-round TKO win against Winston Long (GDF) in a welterweight contest; Olphansomino Sutton got the better of Trevon Dooker (GDF) on points; Omar Sookdeo (FYF) scored a first-round TKO victory against Trevon Dodson (GDF; Eon Rodrigues registered a points victory against Miles Hinds (Republican); Junior Nurse (Republican) won by TKO over Omali Ambrose (GPF); Shaquile Wright (Essequibo) secured a points decision against Shermar Alleyne (Pocket Rockets); Kurt Allicock (HE) obtained a points win against Keshon Matthews (Republican); Glenroy Griffith (Republican) stopped Johnathon Williams (GDF) via TKO in round three; Kevin Inniss (Republican) trounced Dwayne July (GDF); Gillian Limerick (Republican) got a walkover victory over Ted Vanbrook) and Jaffar Giddon (GPF) knocked out Kevin Sookoo (RHJ) in the second round.
Last night’s semifinals and finals in all division were scheduled for a 19:00hrs start.

By Michael DaSilva