The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS the XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games got underway over the weekend in San Salvador, El Salvador, there were mixed results from the two-man boxing team.

The four-yearly games are being staged this year from June 23 to July 8 and the two boxers veteran Carl Hield and professional Rashield Williams got the ball rolling for Team Bahamas.

Hield, fighting in the medium light or 71 kilogram class, suffered a 5-0 decision to Jhonatan Arboleda of Colombia in the first boxing match for Team Bahamas.

Hield, 36, just recently represented the Bahamas at the International Boxing Association’s (IBS) World Boxing Championship in Humo Arena in Tashkent, Uzbekistan where he lost a unanimous decision to Boniface Mogunde of Kenya.

Meanwhile, Williams, who was also scheduled to fight in Uzbekistan, but didn’t make the trip, was successful in his opening match in the men’s 63.5 kg class.

Williams, 33, easily won 4-1 over Doneel Phillip of Trinidad & Tobago. He fought his second match yesterday, but lost on points to Alvarez Erislandy of Cuba. “I just lost from Cuba on points. He did a good job running, trying not to get hit but unfortunately I lost on points but it was a great fight,” Williams said. “It was difficult to catch but I’m proud of my performance. I did great, especially coming off a pro fight on Saturday and making the weight to fight back to back. I enjoyed every bit of it and the guy from Trinidad came out to fight but unfortunately he couldn’t keep up with the boxing lesson I was putting on him.”

Despite bowing out in the second round, Willoams said it was a great experience and he gave God all the thanks for making this happen. He also expressed his thanks to the Bahamas Boxing federation and the Bahamas Olympic Committe for afforfing him the oppryunity to be able to represent the country at the games.

Williams is coming off his second pro victory for the year, having won over Ramon De La Cruz on June 27 after his decision over Walter Raul Saravia on March 28, both at the Alessi Gym Fitness Center in Tampa, Florida.

The Bahamas, led by chef de mission, also include swimming, judo, athletics, water polo and beach soccer. The full list of players named to Team Bahamas has not been released.