Boxing returned to Steel Shed

After more than a decade amateur boxing returned to the Queen Park Steel Shed, the home of boxing. Boxing fans turned out in numbers during the two-day tournament to watch young boxers from Guyana, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Barbados match their ringcraft.

Barbados Boxing Association hosted the Ronald Wilson Memorial Tournament to honor his yeoman service to boxing in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. In her opening remarks long-serving boxing administrator Kathy Harper-Hall mentioned the outstanding contribution that Ronald Wilson made to amateur boxing. She credited him for the survival of the sport in Barbados. Another individual, Ralph Johnson, was praised for his passion and significant contributions to the sport of boxing over the years.

In the ring, the young and rising champions exhibited acceptable skills and conditioning.

In the Light Middle category (67-71 kg) Jermain Estwick of the Estwick Gym defeated Malachi Grant of the Belfield Gym. Lashon Codrington from Belfield Gym and Shakeer Johnson of the Four Hill Gym gave a good account of themselves in what was their debuts. Codrington won this middleweight (71-75 kg) fight.

Barbadian Aaron Cadogan from the Four Hill Gym and Guyanese Keyron Britton squared off in a 46-48 kg category. This junior bout with two small boxers provided big action as both competitors gallantly fought showcasing determination and grit. Keyon Britton emerged as the winner.

In the Welterweight category (63.5-76 kg) Barbadian Jaheem Estwick matched his speed and power against Terron Wintz from Guyana. Both boxers traded punches, but Wintz went on to score a victory.  John Didier from St. Lucia wasted no time in overpowering Barbadian Wayne Clarke in a Light-Middleweight clash. This bout ended in the first round after Clarke found himself at the receiving end of a relentless set of combinations. Clarke’s corner team threw in the towel after Didier accurately connected body punches which caused Clarke to buckle. Maxime Alexandre from Martinique defeated Abishai Jn Baptiste in the Light-Welterweight category. Also in this category, Guyanese Colin Lewis proved too much for Peter Murray from Barbados and the referee stopped the contest. 

Middleweight (71-75 kg) boxer Anthony Maugee of Martinique defeated Keagan Mortley of St. Lucia to end the first night of the tournament. (Article and photos by Christopher Williams)