By Faizool Deo
A CRUSHING right-hook emerging from a barrage of shots by the Guyana Defence Force’s Clairmont Gibson dropped Caribbean Lightweight champion Jamal Eastman (Rose Hall Jammers) in the first round of the semi-finals in the lightweight division on Saturday night in the Terrence Alli, Elites, Youths and Females Open Championships.

Eastman, who had floored his Trinidadian opponent with a single blow in their regional championship battle last year, was the clear favourite for the national title again this year. It was, however, the experienced soldier who took the initiative early by pouncing on the defending champion.

When the referee stopped the bout, Gibson and most of the patrons at the National Gymnasium erupted in celebrations.
Gibson, who was runner up to Caribbean Bantamweight Champion Keevin Allicock over the last few years in this competition, had moved up in weight (from 56kg to 60kg). After the fight, he stated that he was in immaculate shape and was ready to stop all challengers at the lightweight division.

Last night, on the final night of the championships, he was expected to meet fellow GDF boxer Delroy Fordyce, who had gotten past Shemar Halley of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Gym.

Halley, who had boxed his way to the Novice and Intermediate Best Boxer trophies this year, lost on points to Fordyce, who said he stuck to the fundamentals to gain the win.
Along with those two bouts, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) also claimed three other wins of the seven semi-final fights carded for night two. Their main rivals, FYF Gym had also made their mark on the penultimate night with two wins.

The night opened with an exhibition clash between GDF boxers Jermain Grant and Lincoln Murray, before the bantamweight boxers got into the ring.
GDF’s Julius Kesney stopped Raphael Sebastian (Rose Hall Jammers) in the first round of the first bantam semi-finals, while Asheer Al Azeem (FYF) got the win against Clinton Clarke (GDF) after three rounds.

The welterweight battle was another first-round finish as GDF’s Kevin McKenzie worked his way through the defence of Shemar Beaton (Ricola) just before the end of round one and caught him on his nose.
The heavyweight battles were also exciting.

FYF’s Omar Sukhdeo recorded his fifth win in seven fights when he caught GDF’s Osbert Robertson late in the first round with a right cross and a left hook combination, which floored his opponent.

After both boxers dropped the other early, Robertson took control and a few combinations seemed to have hurt the FYF boxer, but Sukhdeo was able to deliver two excellent shots, which ended the fight in 1:44 seconds.

In another battle, a Super heavyweight bout, GDF’s Antonio Williams was able to wear down Stephen Chan to win on points.
Both fighters had their moments early in the clash, but Williams proved the aggressor in the second. Chan, who seemed to be conserving his energy by defending a lot, was hit one-time too many, which eventually weakened his defence.

Last night, 11 finals were scheduled to be run off at the National Gymnasium.