Saturday night boxing returned to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with a bang at the weekend with Barbados’ World Boxing Council (WBC)/CABOFE cruiserweight champion Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox toppling local cruiserweight and heavyweight champion Kurt Bess in the first round to retain his title.
The pair were meeting in the feature clash of the 18th ProAm Guyana Fight Night, organised by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association and the Sport Ministry.
The 36-year old Cox was purposeful and attacking from the opening bell when he landed a powerful right hand to the face of his much taller opponent.
Several quick left hands followed shortly after, from which Bess sought refuge on the canvas within the first minute of the round, and even though he beat referee Eion Jardine’s count, he was down for another count a mere 15 seconds later, courtesy of another left hand from Cox.
Barbados’ Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox poses after his emphatic victory
Having beaten Jardine’s count once again, Bess rose to his feet albeit on wobbly legs and was forced to accept numerous punches from his opponent which were unanswered, and when he hit the deck for the final time at 2: 10 seconds of the first round, it was all over for the Guyanese.
A concerned Cox rushed from his neutral corner to inspect the damage done to Bess who was bleeding from both his nostrils.
In the main supporting bout, Miguel Antoine of Barbados proved his first victory over Guyana’s Mark Austin in February was no fluke, by pounding out a unanimous decision victory over his opponent.
Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers gained a unanimous decision over Ryan Ali, a late replacement for United States-based Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry, who was declared medically unfit to take the ring for his scheduled four-round contest against Rogers.
In the amateur segment, Jamal Eastman, Richard Williamson, Ron Smith and Laurel Stewart chalked up victories over Elijah Inshanally, Delon Charles, Romeo Norville and Travis Fraser respectively, with Stewart forcing the referee to stop his contest at 1: 25 of the second round.
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