‘Bumpy’ Ride!

Atwell lives up to the hype; scores second round kayo over Beckford in main bout of GFN ProAm card

Multiple title holder, Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell (12(7)-0-1) has once again proved to the public that he is capable of living up to the hype in the fistic sport.

On Sunday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the CABOFE featherweight, light welterweight and national featherweight and lightweight champion easily defeated Glenroy ‘Bumpy’ Beckford (3(1)-9-0) via a second round KO in the headline bout of the 30th edition of the Guyana Fight Night Pro Am card. The WBC world no.18 ranked featherweight ended the one-sided lightweight contest just 40 seconds into the second frame with a thundering right hand to the rib cage that snatched the air from the Jamaican journeyman’s body.

With the 36-year-old Beckford writhing in pain on the canvas, referee Eon Jardine commenced the mandatory count but the winded and wounded pugilist could not muster the courage to make it to his feet.

This was supposed to be the undefeated Atwell’s last test before he enters the lucrative WBC Cup next month.
‘The Punisher’put on a body shot clinic.

Bumpy Ride! Referee, Eon Jardine issuing a count to Glenroy ‘Bumpy’ Beckford after a thundering right hand from Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell collided to his rib cage. (Orlando Charles photo)
Bumpy Ride! Referee, Eon Jardine issuing a count to Glenroy ‘Bumpy’ Beckford after a thundering right hand from Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell collided to his rib cage. (Orlando Charles photo)

From the beginning of the fight, it was clear it was just a matter of time before the 25-year-old claimed another kayo win with his crisp hand speed and power punches as be put on a body shot clinic.

Atwell’s punching power is getting the job done. He has now stopped seven of his last eight opponents and upped his knockout percentage to more than 50 percent.

“I felt really strong tonight,” declared Atwell in the post-fight interview.
“I spoke to some people in Jamaica and they said he is tough and would give me a hard time in the ring, I guess they were talking about someone else” boasted the man at the top of the local pound for pound food chain.

“I’m focused, I’m healthy and I looking ahead for bigger things”. Atwell will take on Benin’s Justin Savi (22(18)-2-0) in his first bout in the Cup on November 22.

The Atwell/ Savi featherweight fight is scheduled to be staged in Morocco.
Meanwhile, fellow CABOFE champions Edmond ‘Wonder Boy’ DeClou (middleweight) and Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques (featherweight) suffered mixed fortunes on Sunday night’s under card.

DeClou suffered a fractured jaw in the third round and told Jardine he was unable to continue despite being way ahead on the score cards. As a result his opponent, Derrick Richmond earned a TKO victory.

Marques, however, stepped up to the bantamweight division and out boxed a game Richard Williamson who lost unanimously in a crowd pleasing punch filled brawl.

The score cards read and 79-73, 78-74 and 80-72.
In the first bout of the professional card, Kishawn ‘Special K’ Simon unanimously defeated David Thomas in an uneventful four- round welterweight waltz which was highlighted by clinches and inactivity.

Champ! Referee Eon Jardine raises the hand of CABOFE featherweight, light welterweight and national featherweight and lightweight champion, Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell after his KO win over Jamaican, Glenroy ‘Bumpy’ Beckford. (Orlando Charles photo)
Champ! Referee Eon Jardine raises the hand of CABOFE featherweight, light welterweight and national featherweight and lightweight champion, Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell after his KO win over Jamaican, Glenroy ‘Bumpy’ Beckford. (Orlando Charles photo)

On the amateur segment of the card, Orin Bancroft (Harpy Eagles Gym), Elijah Insanally (Harpy Eagles Gym) Mark Marshall (GDF) and Trevon King (GDF) all recorded victories over their respective opponents. Bancroft, Insanally, Marshall and King pounded out decision victories over Stephan Green (Harpy Eagles Gym), Anthony Camacho (Young Achievers Gym) Stephon Nedd (Republic Gym) and Kevin Rodney (Republican Gym).

The judge’s decision for the King/ Rodney bout was booed by the large crowd.
As customary, all eight Simon Pures received food hampers from Courts.

The monthly card is an initiative of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) in collaboration with the Sports Ministry and the National Communications Network (NCN). Sponsors of the event include Digicel, Giftland Office Max, Courts, Banks DIH Limited, GuyOil, Fly Jamaica and the Ministry of Tourism.