Jamaicans left mainly bruised

They came with a formidable name – Bruising Gym – but it was mostly the visiting Jamaicans who left bruised up at the end of the night.  

The Cayman Islands Boxing Club took on some of the best fighters from Stony Hill, Kingston at the D Dalmain Ebanks gym on Saturday and all 10 bouts, whether exhibition or full matches were entertaining and totally absorbing for the small but appreciative crowd.  

Raymon Rodriguez was in control in his junior featherweight bout until he walked onto punches in the third round against Jamaican Andre Gray for a standing count. Rodriguez produced a big left hook just before the end to give Gray a standing count and secure the win, 8-6 on points. 

In an exhibition featherweight bout between two Caymanians, Raymon’s brother Diego, outpointed Jesse Powell, 9-4 in a bout dominated by body punches. 

Tracey Seymour renewed rivalries from five years ago with Jamaica’s Sasha ‘Ice’ Fowler. It was billed as an exhibition because of the weight disparity – Fowler at just over 200lbs was around 50lbs heavier than Seymour.  

Seymour got caught in the opening exchanges and given a standing count, but bossed the rest of the fight, giving her much bigger opponent a standing count in the fourth and last round in a storming bout to secure the victory.  

Jessica McFarlane-Richards had another bout with Jamaica’s Felice Groves, her conqueror on their last meeting. This time Jessica asserted her authority from the off, giving Groves a standing count in the fourth to win convincingly on points 27-10. Jessica was troubled by an asthma attack, such were here exertions and had to be tended to by doctor Angella Glidden-Wood, but recovered quickly to collect her winner’s trophy.  

Light-heavyweight Dariel Ebanks had the distinction of being the first Caymanian to win a bout at a world championships in September and he kept busy in an exhibition against the much lighter Michael Gardner. Dariel got the points verdict 15-14.  

Two big men went toe to toe next. Oral Smith, the gigantic Ritz-Carlton chef, squeezed in an exhibition bout between long working shifts, against promising teenager Gino ‘Crusher’ Brown, winning 8-6 in a really competitive bout.  

Thomas McField hurt Bruising’s Julian Brown in the first round for a standing count and kept busy enough to win 11-10 on points.  

Tafari Ebanks almost stopped Kestna Davis at the end of the second when he gave him a standing count but was saved by the bell. Tafari recorded his ninth victory in ten bouts with a comfortable points decision.  

Aaron Powell lost by second round technical knockout in the second round to Jamaica’s Kamahl Russell before Kendall Ebanks gave another classic performance to win easily against old foe Anthony Clarke by a 33-20 margin. Ebanks almost stopped the game Clarke in the third round when he received a standing count. Kendall sported on the back of his vest: ‘Now 60kg’, signifying that he had moved down to the lightweight division from light-welter. That extra speed and sharpness showed. It was good to see Minister of Sports Mark Scotland in attendance along with MLA Dwayne Seymour who both gave out trophies. Referees were Philmore Barnett of the Prospect Gym and Michael ‘Bobby’ Peart. The coaches were Nayon ‘Donie’ Anglin and Norman ‘Stormin’’ Wilson. The show was put together on short notice by boxing association president Thomas Ebanks yet it was still a success. 

The main sponsors were the Ministry of Sports, Cayman Airways, Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, Andy’s Rent-A-Car, Coconut Car Rentals, Ramada Grand Caymanian and AAP Paint Pros. Catherine Tyson did an admirable job as emcee, whipping up enthusiasm from the crowd.