Tilliman introduces kick-boxing to football
Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’re in tuned with this latest version of Sports Monday. Yesterday’s amateur boxing card at the City Centre was a production of the Belize Amateur Boxing Association, and was billed as a battle between Mexico and Belize. But there were not enough Belizean warriors to handle the ten-man Mexican team, which showed up. As a result, the opening fight featured two Mexicans in action against each other.
At one hundred and five pounds, Victor Mendes might not have been very convincing against his paisan Jose Garcia, but he gets the nod from judges when its all over.
George Valencia weighing one hundred and twenty-five pounds was the first Belizean to face the Mexicans, but the shorter fighter Francisco Figueroa from Mexico had no problem cutting him down to size to record the win.
At one hundred and thirty-seven pounds, Harry Zelaya had his moments against the visiting Vladimir Gonzales, but this right hand knock down punch to Zelaya’s face turned the tide enough to give the Mexican the win.
Two Mexican fights at one hundred and twenty-four pounds then gave this exhibition and the judges thought that Aaron Pot might have done the better work.
Belize first win came at one hundred and fifteen pounds when Steve McFoy jumped out smoking against George Alvarez and held on although he was obviously spent in the third round.
At one hundred and twenty pounds, Rueben Barrow proved to be no more than a punching bag for Adrian Briceño and mercifully, the referee intervenes to ensure Barrow’s continued good health.
One hundred and forty-seven pounder Simon Lino fared just as bad against David Ferri, getting tagged for the knockdown and again Mexico wins.
In the final match-up, Belizean Sherman Galvez at one hundred and thirty-eight pounds, comes up with this wicked left hand that ends Marcus Castillo’s fight for the day in spectacular fashion. Belize wins two out of six against Mexico.
Now lets head to the MCC Grounds for the history making match between defending champion Kulture Yabra and the young upstarts Acros Brown Bombers.
Wearing number seventeen today, Norman Tilliman Nunez gets set perfectly by Robert Muschamp and only the heroics of the Acros goalkeeper thwarts his goal-scoring attempt.
This spotkick then finds Landi Pinelo, but his header sails wide. At the other end, Shane Moody gets beat to the ball, which gives Pulu a shot at an empty goal, but the launch inches outside the sticks. Meanwhile, it looks like the Bombers will hit the target, but first Vallan Simms gets back in time to make a big time save.
Downfield Nunez take things into his own hands and his intention is clear with this swing that just rises over the crossbar. At the half, we have a scoreless ballgame.
In second half, Acros gets the first opportunity to score, but the striker is a millisecond too late to convert. In the meantime, keep your eyes on this interaction between Nunez and Estevan Perez. Perez should have done better with this nice feed from Nunez, which obviously frustrates the Yabra captain.
From long distance, Acros tries to surprise the Yabra keeper, but Shane Moody for sure ain’t sleeping in goal.
On this breakaway, Landi Pinelo should have opened up the scoreboard, but the push certainly won’t cut it. From the left side, this corner kick from Tilliman Nunez is a sure goal, until an opportune header by the Acros defence digs it out.
Now keep your eyes on this bizarre turn of events. Obviously, Perez and Nunez had been bickering with each other, when Tilliman smokes his teammate with a right to the head. At the centre of the field, Tilliman punches him again as his teammate tries to break up this ugly incident between two of their own players. But it’s not over yet because on the sidelines Tilliman launches this karate kick that brings the intervention of the police. Gigante Perez stoops and hangs his head in shame.
Fights are expected in the heat of the moment, but fights between members of the same team are certainly a rare sight. But let’s focus on referee Victor Williams. He does go to his pocket for a card, but thinks the better of it. Just want to let you know referee Williams, you showed no leadership.
Out of the melee, Acros gets going and are looking to score here, when Teddy Avila grabs Jermaine Zuniga from behind, while Shane Moody crashes into the youngster. The penalty conversion blown by referee Williams is good as Acros takes a 1-zip lead.
Of course, Yabra wouldn’t quit, and this spotkick by Nunez forces the keeper to come up with the most spectacular save of the day. It’s more Tilliman Nunez and when he smashes this centre into the danger zone, it crashes into the net behind the keeper for the 1-1 tie.
In other results from around the league, Builder’s Bandits blanked Griga United 3-zip Saturday night at Belmopan. Juventus put Real Verdes out of their misery with a 1-zip punch. Real Verdes had needed three points to stay in the playoff hunt. Corozal F.C. beat Jacintoville 3-1, while Lazio F.C. edge San Pedro 4-3.
Thus, the four playoff teams have already emerged. The Bandits show 38 points, Juventus 35, Griga 34 and Yabra 33. The Bandits will meet Yabra in the semi-final round, as one meets four and two meets three, which finds Juventus and Griga battling it out. And as soon as we get the dates, we’ll pass it on.
That’s it for mow, we want to thank our cameramen for their great work over the weekend, Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
