Ambitious Simon praises ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman for guidance

By Avenash Ramzan

Berbician lightweight boxer Kishawn Simon said Guyana’s world renowned pugilist, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman, has played a massive role in helping him to live his dreams as a professional boxer.
The 22-year-old made the comment moments after knocking out Patrick Boston in a rematch on Friday’s ProAm card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown.
The victory on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control-organised activity was Simon’s first since turning professional earlier this year, and Guyana Times International was on hand to speak to the young fighter. His first bout was also against Boston on July 27, a fight which resulted in him being on the losing end in what many described as a controversial decision.
Now with a victory under his belt, Simon, who passed 11 subjects at the CSEC examinations, said a lot of credit must go to Eastman, who has been playing a pivotal role in his development at Canefield, Canje, East Berbice.
“I have a lot of faults I need to work on to get better. There is a lot more room for improvement. My trainer [Eastman] is doing his best with me at the moment. He is the person that has actually given me a chance to live my dreams. The gloves that I fight with tonight [last Friday], that’s the first gloves he ever give to me and I will just continue to fight with that brand,” Simon explained.
“You know Eastman has been a real good person to me. I’ve learnt a lot from him because he has guided me all the way. I’m really sorry he’s not here right now to share this moment with me.”
Simon said he felt he was robbed in his debut match, but added that he is not daunted by the misfortune. In fact, the ambitious lad said the loss made him hungrier for success in future fights.
Questioned as to why he chose boxing over an academic career, Simon said it is his dream to be a world champion and as a child he admired boxing champions with their belts around the waist.
“But my father, my family they don’t want me fighting. Everyone keeps saying I’m educated, yes I am, I have 11 subjects and I’m grateful, but I have some skills too. Right now I’m not working; I’m just focusing on boxing. Now I would really wish my family would understand this and support me,” the young boxer divulged.
He added, “For me, I grew up as a rough kid. I played cricket and so on and [Devendra] Bishoo is my good friend…we support each other. I could have played in any other sport, but I just love the rough sport. I’m not a soft kid. The commentators in my first fight were saying that I look like a pretty boy, I may have some looks yes, but behind them looks got some mean punches, and I know I hit really hard.”
Looking at life after boxing, Simon said he has lots of plans in store, primary among them is a career in the sciences, as a mechanic or a shot at creating his own boxing promotion group, ‘Special K’.
“You know you have to be smart. There is no pension after boxing; you know I don’t want anyone to disrespect me after I finish boxing. So I’m going to go the smart way- train properly and I’m supposed to have all the right people around me right now. My trainer has some big plans for me; I’m not going to reveal anything, but I’m just going to work with him and whatever he decides for my career that’s where we go on to,” Simon explained.
Meanwhile, the boxer, who hails from the town of Rose Hall in East Berbice, said young people should live their dreams, but also make maximum use of an investment in education to ensure a sound future. Simon also called for an end to abuse on women and children.