Revlon “Fire” Lake is boxing’s latest regional champ after knocking out Mark Austin in a 12-round lightweight title fight last weekend at the National Sports Hall in Guyana.
It’s the second time a Barbados-based pugilist has won a regional title on the South American continent in recent months, following Miguel “Hands of Stone” Antoine’s historic victory at the Caribbean Americas Zonal Championships.
Ironically, Antoine also defeated the Guyanese Austin at the very same venue.
“He’s a good fighter, because I fought him once before and he got the decision over me,” said Lake of Austin.
“I was always confident [of victory] because I thought I won the previous fight but I came back and did some extra training and got the result I was looking for.”
The bout appeared to be an evenly contested one in the early rounds with the fighters going toe-to-toe in an engaging back and forth exchange.
But the contest failed to go the distance, as Lake stopped the bout one round short of the allotted 12 after sending Austin to the canvas for good.
This was after Austin predicted an early night for Lake after making brash predictions of knocking out the Barbados-based boxer in the third.
“From the time I got down to Guyana the guy said he was going to knock me out in the third round, but the night of the weigh-in I saw him and I told him he was going to feel my hand this time,” said Lake.
The newly crowned champ is set to defend his title within the next three months and plans to go back in his Carrington Village gym next week to prepare with sparring partner Gordell “The Judge” Roberts for future engagements.
Roberts is also expected to appear on a Sam Layne card next month. (JM)
