Charles ‘The Killa’ Whittaker won his biggest title to date with a fine display of boxing on the back foot as he captured the United States Boxing Association junior-middleweight belt on Saturday.
Killa unanimously outpointed the American Keenan Collins at the Arts and Recreation Centre in Camana Bay and showed even at 37 he still has plenty left in the tank.
Only a few months ago, Whittaker thought about hanging up his gloves through frustration at not getting big money fights. All that is in the past after this win.
Collins from the fabled fight city of Philadelphia lived up to expectations. He rarely made a backward step, walking into virtually every shot thrown and ended the night with a right eye almost completely shut from the battering it had taken.
Watched by Premier McKeeva Bush, sports minister Mark Scotland, MLA Cline Glidden Jnr, sports director Collin Anglin and a host of other dignitaries, a jubilant Whittaker said: “Collins had a good chin and he had it in his mind that he was going to win and he was really fired up.
“We knew this guy was ready and committed. I didn’t beat a patsy. I know I’ve got my critics but those who were here can attest to how well I fought. For those who said I’m too old and saw me tonight, I was deadly.
“I dedicate this victory to the life and memory of Dalmain Ebanks (his late trainer) and to my father George S. Whittaker too who was a fighter before me. I guess it came out in the blood.
“The sky’s the limit for me now. I’m expecting good things from the USBA. Everybody who fights for this title ends up fighting for a world title or in an eliminator to fight for the world title and make some money. It’s got to be my time. Eighteen years a pro and 25 years altogether, I’ve paid my dues and I’m forever young.”
Also watching in the crowd was Killa’s proud mum Buleah McField who joined him in the ring with the dignitaries and even strapped the belt around her waist.
On the undercard debutant Peter ‘Lightning’ Lewison overpowered the game but overmatched Florida fighter Alex Lubo in a pretty undemanding contest. The squat, overweight Lubo was much more experienced but Lewison’s bombs quickly took their toll and it was all over by 2 minutes 30 seconds of the second round. Lewison still had to take a few hefty swingers for the victory and must pay attention to his defence as his opponents get tougher.
Alfred ‘Destroyer’ Deano had enjoyed plenty of fanfare leading up to his debut, but the Filipino ace who won four national titles, was lucky to get a majority draw against the unbeaten Jamaican bantamweight Rudolph ‘Cutting Edge’ Hedge.
Southpaw Deano started briskly but tired badly and was lilting like a ship in the final two rounds of four. But it was no disgrace to struggle against Hedge who had not lost in seven previous outings.
In the chief support, Killa’s two training partners boxed each other in a light-middle four rounder. The heavier hitting Haitian-American ‘Silky’ Wilki Campfort outpointed Jamaican Tsetsi ‘Lights Out’ Davis.
The opening two bouts were all between Florida-based fighters brought in by Whittaker’s Knockout Promotions team, headed by his adviser Raul Alvarez and his trainer ‘Stormin’’ Norman Wilson.
At light-welter Roger Rosa looked to have done enough to get the verdict over Saumandie Payne but a draw was given. At welter, Damion ‘Devo’ Frias just punched to hard and accurately for Alex Perez who had to be rescued by the second round by boxing programme head coach Nayon ‘Donie’ Anglin who refereed four of the fights.
Max Parker Jnr was the other ref.
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