‘Candyman’ prevails over ‘Battersea Bomber’

Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy maintained his unbeaten record, defeating the experienced, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman, in their main bout of the 23rd ProAm boxing card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Friday evening.
The 24-year-old Hardy, who is Guyana’s representative in the Welterweight division at the WBC Anniversary competition later this year, earned a Unanimous Decision win over the 4-year-old Eastman, a former European Middleweight champion.
In the other three professional fights, Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore and James Walcott earned points victory over their respective opponents, while Rudolph Fraser and Cassius Matthews fought to a draw.
On the amateur side, Anthon Branch and Tyrone Lashley recorded 2-1 decision victories over Shaka Moore and Matthew Allensworth respectively; the young and gifted Michael April boxed and weaved his way to a comfortable 3-0 decision over Orin Bancroft, while the referee stopped the contest at 01: 28s in the second round in favour of Travis Fraser, who was punishing the lanky, Kevin McKenzie.
Hardy must have been confident of chalking up his ninth victory via the knockout route, but Eastman used every trick in the book, including head butts to his opponent’s mid section, to prevent same from occurring.
Both pugilists exchanged combinations and jabs of their own, with the intensity of the action rising to a level during the fourth round, in which Eastman refused to break from one of his many holds, even when told to do so by referee Franklyn Brisport.
He proceeded to throw several punches to the back of Hardy’s head. Hardy later said he felt a buzzing sound whenever that was done, resulting in Brisport issuing a warning and taking away a point, something Eastman could have ill-afford at the time.
Hardy upped the tempo after Eastman’s ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’, and unleashed several combinations to the head and body of his more illustrious opponent, who shook it off and responded with a few combinations of his own, using his jab as a lead.
The tenth and final round began with Eastman, who was spurred on by the vociferous crowd who chanted his name in every corner of the venue, unleashing several combinations to the body of Hardy, who to the surprise of many, withstood the attack like the true champion he confessed to be.
In the dying stages of the round, Hardy took over and delivered combinations at will, forcing a visibly shaken Eastman to the ropes as he sought to land his now famous ‘Chin Checker’ punch, which Eastman refused to encourage, forcing the judges to decide the winner.
They scored the bout 98-91, 96-94, 95-94, all in favour of Hardy, who agreed to hand Eastman a rematch, after the Berbician made the call for another shot at his young opponent.