Holmes too good for Pompey

Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes was a cut above Guyana’s Winston Pompey in ability, stopping him by technical knockout, in less that a minute of the second round of a fight that was scheduled for six rounds during the Wray and Nephew Rum Punch Series at Skateland in Half Way Tree at the weekend.

After taking it easy in the early stages of the first round, Holmes exploded near the end of the round and Pompey went down for the mandatory eight count. Holmes was all over Pompey at the start of the second round, when referee Owen Nelson stepped in and called a halt to the fight after 47 seconds. It was an easy night for the Jamaican.

In the amateur section of the programme, boxers from the Stanley Couch Gym and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Gym gave outstanding displays, and had two victories each.

In the fight of the night, Stanley Couch’s promising 19-year-old, Daniel Hylton, gave a good account of himself against the always dangerous Michael Shea, of the JDF, and walked away with a hard-earned split decision. This was a close battle for three rounds, and Hylton had to call on all of his resources to keep Shea at bay, and the large and enthusiastic crowd present enjoyed every minute of it.

The victory led to Hylton being named the most outstanding boxer of the night’s competition, and enabled his gym to win the Outstanding Gym prize. The gym will receive a cash payment of $100,000 and $400,000 worth of ring equipment.

Hylton told The Gleaner afterwards, that Saturday was the best night of his boxing career so far.

“I had to work very hard to win the fight, as Shea is a tough, strong and very fit boxer,” he said. “It was a real challenge, and I am happy that I was able to win and earn for my gym, some well needed cash and equipment.”