Before a very enthusiastic crowd as is normally the case, Jason Auguste won
over Thaddeus Francis in a light-heavyweight clash.
Auguste was clearly not in condition, but the overly cautious Francis was unable
to put together the combinations expected from one who is so experienced.
In an Under-17 match up which followed, Glen Edward and Nick Joseph were not
prepared for the ring as they had been training two weeks and four days,
respectively.
This piece of information raised the hackles on a few knowledgeable persons
who felt that it was “extremely risky to put these two novices in the ring with so
little training.”
When spoken to, president of The Saint Lucia Amateur Boxing Association
Joseph ‘Reds’ Pereira stated in an exclusive interview, “It is a learning process
for the boxers and the Association. It is a learning process for the coaches, a
learning process for the referees; everybody needs practice”
Maybe it is true in that sense for the much anticipated bout between two
welterweights in Thomas Melville and Jeremiah James ended when James
walked out of the ring.
Investigations revealed that he was unhappy when two photographers placed
their cameras inches from his face during the rest period after the second round
to take his picture.
This he objected to and a heated exchanged ensued with James walking out of
the ring. To date no one went to his corner to inquire of the incident, and one of
the photographers stated that he had a right to do that since “I am a former
national fighter.”
But history will reveal that this same fighter when called to represent Saint Lucia
a few years ago took what has been termed “the cowardly way out” and flew to
Barbados instead.
However before the James walk-out, a very interesting bout was unfolding as
the hand speed of these two pugilists, their movement about the ring and
overall tactics was a joy to behold.
James had always been seen as one of the best, but Melville under good
tutelage was fast becoming the fighter his potential had earmarked him as many
years ago.
Samuel Connally and Akim Daniel traded fists, and later Myron Daniel was
floored by Miguel Auguste in a fight that the referee failed to act decisively.
Twice as early as the opening thirty seconds of the first round Daniel should had
receive standing eight counts, but the official in the ring failed to act when need.
Then Daniel was floored by a solid right hand, but during the eight count he was
using the ropes to steady himself. The official went ahead and second later into
the resumption; Daniel was out cold, another right hand making a date with his
jaw.
It took some time before he was able to revive, then spent more time sitting on
a chair in the ring as the doctor was not prepared to take any chances.
When he made his way out of the ring about fifteen minutes later it was to a
standing ovation, and a lesson he will learn from as his boxing career develops.
Saturday’s box-off was another step in the SLABA’s preparations, and plenty
was learnt from the exercise. The team to represent Saint Lucia is expected to
be named within the coming forty-eight hours.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines have already named a six-man squad, with
Grenada and Dominica each naming a squad of seven fighters.
The remaining countries of St. Kitts/Nevis and Antigua/Barbuda are expected to
name their squads soon, although the deadline date of November 1st 2007 has
passed.
Pereira further pointed out that eight or nine fighters will be selected to
represent Saint Lucia, and no one will be selected for boxing sake. The team of
fighters will be coached by former Caribbean and OECS lightweight champion
Guy Lawrence, and the SLABA head honcho is confident that the boxers will be
fully prepared come the OECS Amateur Boxing Championships.
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