Barbican Beach Delivers on Excitement

Dateline: Monday, March 1, 2010

People viewing local boxing for the first time are often taken aback by the raw talent on show. It was no different on Saturday, February 27 when the JBBC hosted its second Boxing at the Beach outing. The seven fight card was set to feature both local and overseas-based boxers and the audience was practically chomping at the bit to witness the action.

The evening started with a bout between Junior Welterweight amateurs Anthony McLeish and Jamaine Robinson both of Stanley Couch Gym. The fight was an appropriate appetizer with McLeish being declared the winner by a very narrow margin and led nicely into the second amateur bout, a Lightweight Junior Division clash between Shaquille Linton of Stanley Couch Gym in Kingston and Nickoy Jackson of Boys Town Gym also in Kingston. The young boxers were eager to show off their skills and with their small frames belying their determination and power, they obeyed the Referee Barrington Graham’s instruction to ‘Box!’ Jackson dominated but was denied a much sought after knockout by the last bell.

Between bouts the House DJ fed the audience on a steady diet of the latest dancehall tunes and took time out to pay tribute to the sponsors (Avant Garde, Reggae Jammin’, Locker Room, GNLD, Celli-Shack, King Alarm and title sponsor Ricardo Chin Production Services).

The third contest was a Light Welterweight Open Division bout between the JDF’s Shantez McInnis and Stanley Couch’s Fana Walker. These two boxers had met last at the national championships where Walker defeated McInnis to win the national title. Both fighters delivered powerful punches but the JDF boxer withstood and though shaken he had come back with a vengeance and won the victory after 3 rounds.

There was a flurry of activity as the administration and media prepared the next set of bouts. The fourth bout would see the first of the eagerly anticipated and much-hyped international match ups. It pitted Catoney Robinson of the Stanley Couch Gym against Reece Shagourie of the Repton Boxing Club in London in a Middleweight Open Class contest. Shagourie entered the ring early and dramatically showed off some of his moves. The opening bell saw both boxers trying to gauge each other’s styles and capabilities. The audience quickly got into the fever of it and some could be heard screaming at the boxers “Run ’im dung yout’!” and “Lick ’im back!” Unfortunately, there were a few too many violations by the Repton boxer who may not have been familiar enough with all the local codes and standards, and the Referee took the decision to stop the fight in the third round. Afterwards, both fighters displayed good sportsmanship acknowledging the Referee, each other as well as each corner team.

The fifth amateur bout saw Light Welterweight National Champion Shawn Wheetle of the JDF going up against Philip Bowes of Repton Club in London. It was strange to hear the British accents at ringside attending to Bowes among the usual chatter. The audience was really into the fight and shouted encouragements to both boxers. Wheetle threw some powerful punches which often did not connect with the swift moving Bowes but the JDF boxer was defiant and presented a stout defence. Unfortunately, he was outboxed by Bowes who was eventually declared the winner. In his youthful exuberance, the Repton boxer celebrated by climbing up and standing on the ropes in one of the corners, a move which is not usually tolerated at amateur events.

Intermission was a jovial affair with DJ Tricksy parading the Locker Room girls around the venue. He also had the usual giveaway rewards for answering his trick questions. The prizes this time were from Whitfield Town Bakery and Celli-Shack. The fun family atmosphere was relaxed and many in the crowd used the opportunity to stock up on refreshments and sample the offerings at the Reggae Jammin’ Restaurant on Wheels. Hostesses moved through the crowd taking orders and shuttling food and drinks back and forth. Many also flocked to the bar for refills.

When the boxing resumed, the crowd was treated to an Open Class Amateur bout in the Welterweight Division between Pan-Am Champion Ricardo Smith of the Hard Knocks Gym in Westmoreland and Ahmet Patterson Repton Boxing Club in London. Both boxers landed solid punches often knocking the very sweat off their opponent. The fighting was fierce and both boxers seemed equal to the challenge. In the end, the Repton boxer was declared the winner.

The final amateur bout for the evening was between Jamara Nooks, 2008 National Champion from the Bruising Gym in Stony Hill and André Reid 2009 National Champion from the JDF. The Super Heavyweight Open Class contest started with a collective “Whoa!” from the audience as the massive gladiators took aim at each other. Reid landed a crucial uppercut on Nooks and the shock running through the crowd was palpable. One man in the audience could be heard panicking “Bruiser, come on man! Mi work hard fi me money yuh nuh!” Coach of the Bruising Gym and former pro boxer Carl Grant watched over his charge and went the extra mile to provide support to him between rounds.

The JDF boxer clearly sensed that victory was at hand and went after his opponent with zeal. The audience was dramatic in its support shouting “Finish him off soldjie!”. The contingent of JDF supporters on hand were heard shouting in unison “Mark time! Knock him out!” The action was enthralling and when one of Reid’s powerful punches missed Nooks someone shouted “Dat woulda lik him into next week!” drawing a spontaneous ripple of laughter. As expected, the JDF boxer was declared the winner.

During the next break, JBBC president William Tavares-Finson, presented medals to the JDF for winning the most Open Class medals at the recent National Championships, to Bruising Gym for winning the most championship medals at the National Championships. He also took time out to acknowledge the diplomats on hand from Argentina, Nigeria, Belgium and Brazil. He also introduced his core team of JBBC executives, acknowledged the doctor on hand, Dr. André McDonald and introduced the Sponsors. The national anthem was then performed.

The feature fight of the evening was up next and, by then, the anticipation had built up to unseen proportions. Welterweight fighter, Sakima Mullings, has wanted to make his pro debut since January and this was to be his big moment. His opponent Raymond ‘Tough-Skin’ Gordon was also eager to prove himself after being styled as the underdog. The first hint of what was to come manifested itself in a roar of excitement as Mullings emerged escorted by the full cadre of Locker Room girls. He was barely visible until he removed the black satin hooded jacket to take his place in the ring. The girls fawned over him and created a bit of a stir as the ring announcer started making the introductions.

The fighting was fierce and instant the moment the bell rang. Everyone could see that Sakima Mullings meant business. He was focussed and determined and wily enough to anticipate many of Gordon’s moves. Some spectators who had gathered on the nearby road shouted encouragement to Sakima but it was not needed as he dispatched Gordon with a TKO at 1:31 in the second round.

Congratulations to the organizers and to all the boxers and their corner teams and coaches. All in all, the night’s entertainment delivered on its promise and we continue to look forward to many more outings at the Beach.

Contributor: Sandra Lloyd