The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FERNANDO Calderon knew that he had to be more active than Kendric Stuart to pull off the victory in their amateur match on Friday night in the Rainforest Theatre at the Wyndham Resort on Cable Beach.

The two featherweights, evenly matched in height at 5-feet, five-inches, hooked up in one of the six amateur bouts organised by Ronn Rodgers of the Strikers Boxing Club on the early segment of the ‘Pain and Glory’ professional boxing card.

Calderon used his experience of more than 30 fights to prevail with the decision over Stuart, who dropped to 5-1. The duo were awarded for putting on the fight of the night after they slugged it out round for round.

“It was good. The kid was tough. I thought it was a very good fight,” said Calderon, 25. “I felt it was a good decision. I think I earned the victory by a few points by throwing just a little more punches than he did.”

Despite the loss, Stuart, 28, said it was a learning experience for him. “The fight was good. I went out there to put on a show, but I don’t think I worked as hard as I should in the ring,” he said. “I just have to go back in the gym and train harder. Hopefully he can give me a rematch. But if he doesn’t, I just have to get ready for the next time I fight.”

In the other amateur bouts, Jonathan Cox defeated Don Rolle in a lightweight match, D’Angelo Swaby def. Renaldo McKenzie in a super heavyweight showdown, Tamaria Edgecombe and Davon Hamilton got a double elimination in their super heavyweight bout for unsportsmanlike conduct, Israel Johnson def. Tyson Isaacs and Keron Knowles def. Tyrone Oliver.

Just after Edgecombe and Hamilton had to be restrained by referee Matthew Rolle and cautioned for their actions as Edgecombe initiated the extra contact against Hamilton, Johnson and Isaacs displayed the true essence of what amateurism is all about in their match.

“The fight was good. My opponent was stronger and older than me, but I just want to thank God for allowing me to come out with the victory,” Johnson said. “I just want to give God, my Lord and Saviour, thanks for giving me the strength to pull this one off.”

Both fighters embraced each other after the decision was announced by ring announcer Ivan ‘Showtime’ Francis.

The amateur segment was originally scheduled to feature a number of matches between competitors from the United States against the local boxers. But with the exception of the Calderon-Stuart bout, the other five were all locally based.