They say it’s not how you start, but how you finish. Bajan boxers bore testament to that on Saturday night.
After having gone winless on the opening night of the Ronald Wilson Memorial Tournament, the local pugilists captured five gold medals on the third and final night of competition at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed.
Ricardo Blackman also copped the coveted Most Outstanding Boxer award.
Jenny Benedict and Gheeta Narine both won their women’s featherweight and lightweight fights, respectively, to clinch gold.
However, Deandra Bryant, Deandra Worrell and Dorinda Weekes had to settle for silver medals after losing their bouts.
In an all-Barbadian affair, Akeem Isadore proved too much for Mark Brathwaite in their heavyweight contest, while super heavyweight Arden Heywood defeated Trinidad and Tobago’s Gino Brown.
Heywood also won the Best Novice Boxer award.
Hometown favourite Cobia Breedy won what was easily the best match of the night, defeating the Cayman Island’s Kendal Ebanks in their lightweight fight.
The muscular Breedy was a picture of poise and precision, as he timed his jabs and uppercuts to perfection, keeping the taller Ebanks at bay for most of the fight.
And when Ebanks did manage to get in close, Breedy was just as stellar in defence, blocking the majority of his opponent’s punches, while counter attacking whenever Ebanks failed to connect on his combinations.
By the time the bell rang to signal the end of the fight, the Bajan supporters were already beginning to celebrate yet another gold medal performance, as Breedy punched the air in celebration.
Blackman also won the Best Male Boxer award after having showed his class in his fight against Guyana’s Richard Williamson to capture gold in the flyweight division on Day 2.
At just 15 years old, Aruba’s Shawn Koolman won the award for Youngest Boxer, while Trinidad’s
Jenelle Belgraves captured the prize for Best Female Boxer.