Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes promises to be “brutal” in comeback

Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes is planning yet another comeback and this time he promises to give a better account of himself with a “brutal” performance in the first match-up. Gilkes’ first assignment to lend any credence to his intentions will be against Anthony Augustin in the main event of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control/Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Pro-Am boxing card on June 25 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

‘The Lion’ told Stabroek Sport yesterday that he will be “brutal” against Augustin in their heavyweight match-up.

The journeyman has a dismal record in the fistic sport and plans now to set the record straight. He has only won four of his 18 fights with 11 losses and three draws. The stocky orthodox pugilist, after winning his debut fight knocking out Lyndon Harris in round three, has had a horrid time since 1999.

He suffered two losses to Rhyan Foster and Joachim Alcine before drawing with Rico Tan twice in 2000. His next win came in 2001 against Dave Nash at the Hevan’s Banquet Hall, Toronto,  Canada before settling for a draw in a  bout against Martin Desjardins.

His most tumultuous times in the ring followed after the Desjardins clash. He lost to Alvaro Clavajo and then doubled up against Guyanese ‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton in March of 2004. He admitted to Stabroek Sport that indiscipline and inactivity had been plaguing his career.

After the loss against Dalton, former Guyanese middleweight champion, there was some “redemption” for the boxer when he defeated Julian Tannis and Eusebio Chiquillo. Subsequently, there were seven straight losses with the last two against imprisoned Guyanese middleweight champion Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and a round two stoppage against Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen last year.

But Gilkes is saying now that he is always keeping in shape and has a better work ethic for this fight against Augustin, who took Guyana’s heavyweight champion Mitchell Rogers the distance in their fight last year.

Augustin had said previously that he will fight anybody, especially when no contender was stepping up to fight Rogers.

Gilkes, uncharacteristically, indicated that he will not be making any predictions for his fight against Augutin.

Gilkes said that he has “decided to wait and see what opponents have to offer.”

Further, he noted that he does not want to make any predictions since he had done this in the past  “and things didn’t go to plan like what I say.” Meanwhile, on that card also former amateur champion Mandessa Moses will be looking to keep her slate clean at the fifth stanza of the Pro-Am card. She will be going up against veteran Margaret ‘Chico’ Walcott who has a miserable tale-of-the-tape with a solitary win, eight losses and a drawn encounter.

The opening night’s professional segment will see former amateur champion Clive Atwell going against Mark Austin in a lightweight contest while Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers will be hoping to end his winless streak with a victory over Wilmot Hutson. Rogers has already lost since the Pro-Am card started in February.