Having made good on his promise to win by knockout by the second of six rounds, Barbadian Boxer Keithland King was undeniably elated at carrying his professional record to three wins from three fights, especially in a foreign country.
Keithland King (left) battling it out with Derick Richmond
The middleweight boxer, who exchanged punches with Guyanese Derick Richmond in the headline fight of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) ‘Young Guns- The proving ground’ card, told Guyana Times Sport he was happy to have achieved the goal he had set himself.
“It feels good to pick up the win, because I came for the win,” ‘The King’ declared.
Describing his mindset throughout the six-minute fight, King said he could have achieved the knockout sooner, but was not focused enough to get there.
“It didn’t happen how I wanted it to happen. I think I was a little too anxious; I just needed to sit and relax some more, but I think I was rushing it too much,” King disclosed.
Regarding this being his first time fighting at the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall (CASH), and because foreign conditions often pose problems to boxers who are not well adjusted, King noted that Guyana has been favourable. “The conditions were all right at the Sports Hall,” the ‘King’ said. “In terms of fighting, the temperature was good and everything,” he expressed.
Looking to the future, the middleweight boxer has no problem with returning to compete on Guyanese shores. In fact, he is looking forward to doing so.
“There’s a next card here in October. I want to get on it,” he revealed.
On a more controversial note, King was very vocal in expressing his dissatisfaction with his opponent’s weight.
Prior to fight night, King weighed in at 159 pounds, which is acceptable for the middleweight class, given that it averages at 160 pounds. However, the Guyanese boxer was not as close to the weight limit as King. Much to the concern of the Boxing Board, Richmond weighed in at 174 pounds, some 14 pounds over the class. Nevertheless, the fight was sanctioned with the blessing of both contestants.
To this end, King passionately stated, “I mean, this guy that I just fought, I wish that he was 160 (pounds). Fifteen pounds is a lot, and it’s very disrespectful to the sport. As a professional boxer, coming into the round with 15 pounds (over the weight limit) is total disrespect to your opponent, yourself and your country.”
Despite the hiccup, the boxer is grateful for the opportunity afforded him. “I just want to say, ‘Thank you,’ to the Guyana Boxing Board, the sponsors, the crowd, and everybody for turning out. Thank you for the opportunity to box in your country,” the ‘King’ says.
