Boxing and hoops dominate weekend sports
Good evening and here’s the sporting news. It was a big weekend of sports here in the city so we’ll jump right into the boxing card at big Bird’s Isle yesterday.
Young Amir Garcia is getting tips from boxing coach Leopold Smart. He came out fired up against his brother but Devon Garcia would take the win at 85 lbs. Meanwhile the showdown between Joseph Eagan and Moses Sculph might have been the fight of the day as a physical exchange speaks for itself. But why the referee breaks up the two at this moment is anybody’s guess. And at the end of five rounds referee Brutus awards the fight to Moses Sculph, but hats off to Joseph Eagan too. For newcomer Giovanni Hernandez his debut into the sport as an amateur boxer was one of a rude awakening when the impressive Cadle simply picked him so much apart that referee George Swazo had to go to the rescue.
So we go to the main event on this exhibition card as Norman “Papi Pote” Orosco at 163 lbs. enters the ring with his entourage and he is now being joined by the reigning Jr. Middleweight Champion of Belize Murphy McLaren who gives away a fifteen pound weight advantage.
In the third round an exchange establishes the power of “Papi Pote” Orosco, negating the fast start by McLaren. In the end it turns out to be an exhibition bout instead of the all out fire that was forecasted but if the response of the fans is anything to go by, boxing is on its way back in Belize. Incidentally referee Leopold Smith ruled the fight a draw.
Norman “Papi Pote” Orosco
“I have to praise the man who is known as the champion of this country because he is not to be taken lightly; he must be respected and paid good attention and care.”
Q: “Did he give any telling blows in the fight?”
Norman “Papi Pote” Orosco
“He did come on but this is just a watching out.”
Q: “Are you happy with your performance?”
Norman “Papi Pote” Orosco
“I’m very happy; I could have put on the pressure but I was just watching because I know there’s a future.”
Q: “You started fast; you ended hanging on a bit which led to that draw. Can you comment on that?”
Murphy McLaren
“It probably started because of the weight and the class difference. I thought that if I started fast I would work him down early but he had good condition too.”
Q: “We had billed this up as a battle against technique and power. Was the technique successful against the power today?”
Murphy McLaren
“Yeah. It has proven that there’s a great liking for boxing today. With the help of Channel Five and the rest of the people and organizations it has been successful. Like I said maximum respect to the Belizean people.”
Turning to the basketball scene, Friday night’s clash between the Kremandala Raiders and Habet Lakers did produce fireworks at the City Center but right now it’s Compton “Speedy” Staine giving the Lakers the early lead.
For a moment Keith Acosta wonders about his lower spine after being the victim of a vicious foul by Fuller, mercifully he would return. This gets the Raiders focussed and new big man import from the U.S. Maurice Bullock banks for 2 off the glass. Bart Sanchez finds Kirby Gill and his jumper from around the charity strike falls as the Raiders take the lead. But at the half it’s a 2 point Raiders lead.
In second half Alfred Hamilton strikes for 3 as the “Lake” makes a move and he would finish 3 points. With 15:55 to go it’s a tied ball game at 41 a piece. Compton Staine with the speed, with the steal, with the finish for 2; he would finish with the game high of 23 points. The Lakers take the lead.
On a drive to the hoops Maino Bevans attempts the dunk but it’s fouled by good defense from Claude “Too Tall” Jones but with his angry reaction, maybe the referees need glasses.
Nevertheless the Raiders come back big. Acosta stops and drops the jumper over Hamilton; he would lead the KREM team with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Bart Sanchez hooks up with Keith Acosta to give the Raiders the lead for the final time. Sanchez would finish with 13 points. A charge by Jason Williams turns the ball over at a crucial time for the Lakers. The Raiders go on to win 74-68.
Keith Acosta, Raiders
“From the start we knew that this game was big because this is actually the playoffs; every game counts and once you lose that’s it. We already lost one game and we really needed this victory to win. This Raiders team is really the heart of a champion and we really come out to win. I just love playing in front of my Belizean people and it’s enjoyable to win.”
In other B.B.A. matchup Saturday night B.T.L. Nets rallied past Southern Bombers 72-62.
In closing folks we take you back to November ’98 when Joseph Carr competed in the 26.2 mile marathon in Tokyo, Japan. Carr finished 162 out of 10,000 runners and is hoping to represent Belize at the Olympics. Right now he needs sponsorship and can be reached at telephone number 77580. Hey Belize support our own.
That’s it. Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.
