SmikleBy Charmaine Austin,
Staff Reporter
NATIONAL middleweight boxing champion, Denzil Smikle, went home surprised and triumphant after recording a controversial win over Delroy Henderson in the feature of a three-fight card staged by Fistic Promotions at Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios on Saturday night.
The card, dubbed "Fists of Fire at the Grande", is part of an initiative to revive boxing in St Ann. Witnessing the event, which catered to the young, old and middle-aged alike, was a large turnout of local fans and tourists.
Patrons expressed satifaction at the end of the show. Promoter Evon Hewitt said: "For a first attempt, it was relatively successful. The turnout was encouraging and that alone says that we are doing something meaningful.
"Boxing has been basically dead in this parish and if doing this kind of thing is what's needed to revive it, then we will do what we have to as it relates to the development of boxers first and foremost and the sport itself."
Hewitt disclosed that round two of "Fists of Fire" will be held in August. A date and venue have not been finalised as plans are not yet definite.
Also on the card were two six-round fights.
Patrick "Hammer" Findlayson went the distance to register a points win over Carlton Bailey in their light heavyweight contest while welterweights Donovan "Police" Campbell and Earl "Boom Boom" Foskin fought to a draw in what was arguably the best bout of the evening.
The comical Jackson Kids entertained the younger members of the audience with popular dance moves and gimmicks and performed a round of blind boxing (playful jabbing with blindfolds on).
Other entertainment was in the form of female oil wrestling, which was cheered appreciatively, particularly by the male spectators. Pain triumphed over Agony, Natural Disaster wreaked havoc with Pepper and Ram Bam Bigolow over-ran Destroyer.
"I got my money's worth", "It was very interesting", "Di fight dem nice, but di decision dem nuh right" were some of the comments heard at the end of the evening.
