GDF successfully defend Intermediate title

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) boxing gym has once again come out victorious after their boxers put on a spectacular show over this past weekend, asserting themselves as ‘the gym to beat’ in Guyana.
The National Gymnasium came alive for the annual Lennox Blackmore Intermediate event organised by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA). Prior to the competition, all eyes were on the servicemen and the Republican Gym (Prisons) as true fans knew the competition would come down to the two of them. However, GDF truly asserted their dominance with wins in six categories. Added to that, the rest of their contingent finished in the top two of the other divisions, making the military men untouchable in the competition.
The event saw a number of riveting fights which all led up to the grand finale on Sunday evening. Orlando Norton of GDF finished his fight in fine style, knocking out Shawn La Fleur of Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) just one minute into their second round. GDF’s streak continued as Seon Murray pummelled Donovan Richard of Republican Gym.
Republican had wins of their own as Mark Chester fought to a technical knockout over Orin Bancroft of Forgotten Youths Foundation (FYF).
GDF’s Andrew Griffith copped a split decision over Gordon Green in the lightweight category. GDF also experienced the losing side of the bout as VBG’s Christopher Moore was on the winning side of another split decision, this time against Orlando Grenville of GDF.
Walkovers saw Clinton Clarke taking a win when he was intended to face Ishaun Khan of Harpy Eagle. Christopher Moore copped another walkover instead of facing Republican’s Mark Chester. Also, Jamal Eastman gladly accepted a walkover from Republican’s Deon Samuels.
Friday and Saturday’s excitement made way for final matches on Sunday which were dominated by GDF, which often saw GBD boxers in both corners of the ring.
In the line of technical knockouts, Renaldo Niles defeated Shemar Ming in the heavyweight category while Astion Niles completed the feat against Frank McRae within two minutes, 43 seconds of their light heavyweight bout.
Clinton Clarke took the bantamweight division by unanimous decision as Albert Thomas was no match for his prowess. Later on, Royden Grant won the middleweight category after defeating Orlando Norton on points.
Eventually, the best of the best had to be crowned. Quincy Boyce was adjudged the best elite boxer of the 2018 bout. After pummelling Denzil Adams on Friday evening in a TKO result, he went on to sink Jamal Eastman by the third round on Saturday and then defeated Seon Murray within two minutes on Sunday. Boyce’s streak was a clear answer as to why he was chosen.
The best youth boxer was awarded to Shaquille Wright of VBG who was clearly seen as the best after an empathic knockout out of Junior Hyman in their lightweight encounter.
The three nights of boxing was sure to be closed off in style as Renaldo Niles (GDF) and Shekeal Damon met in the ring. The boxers were engrossed in their fight, exchanging jab for jab; however, to the crowd’s dismay, the encounter was stopped just seconds before the conclusion of the fight owing to Damon’s wrist bandage being unmarked. As such, he was disqualified.