According to Shawn Terry Cox, Ricardo Blackman was boxing before he could even walk.
Guyana’s Richard Williamson found that out the hard way on Friday evening.
Blackman captured Barbados’ first gold medal at the inaugural Ronald Wilson Memorial Boxing Tournament, defeating Williamson in an entertaining fight in their flyweight contest at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed.
Having watched three other Barbadian pugilists fail in their attempts to secure gold medals, Blackman used his speed, agility and length to good effect.
He kept the shorter Williamson at bay with sharp left jabs while also connecting with some powerful right-hand punches.
Williamson became much more active in the second round, landing some punches to the body of Blackman, who seemed content to just avoid his opponent’s wild uppercuts and swings.
The third and final round provided most of the highlights.
With an obviously tiring Blackman being urged on by an appreciative crowd, Williamson sensed his opportunity.
The two fighters exchanged several punches, with the Guyanese landing a left jab followed by a right hook which sent his opponent on the ropes.
Despite Williamson’s best efforts, though, Blackman managed to avoid any further punishment, and held on to win the fight.
Contesting the youth lightweight final, local boy Shaquille Denny came out “guns blazin’”. However, Aruba’s Shawn Koolman weathered the storm, and the referee was forced to stop the fight in the third round with Denny so exhausted that he could barely stay on his feet.
Ezra Lorde lost his lightweight final in the novice category, after being knocked down by St Lucia’s Alex Poyotte twice in the third round.
Choyo Fields was beaten by Issac Herbert of Trinidad and Tobago on points in the light heavyweight final. (RB)