‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neal not taking Simmons lightly
- Trainer Lennox Daniels
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
December 13, 2002
Undefeated female light heavyweight Gwendolyn `The Stealth Bomber’ O’Neal knows very little about her opponent for the Boxing Day card but her determination and power should be enough to see her through trainer Lennox Daniels said yesterday.
Daniels said that his charge is not taking her American opponent ‘Vicious’ Veronica Simmons lightly and is hard at work to keep her unbeaten streak intact.
“We really don’t know much about this girl. At the moment I can’t say whether she is a southpaw or orthodox boxer so we are training for both styles.
Regardless of what style she (Simmons) brings, I know that Gwendolyn is a very determined fighter and packs a punch. With that in mind I know that she will be quite a stumbling block,” Daniels said.
O’Neal and Simmons meet in the main supporting bout of the card which is organised by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control. The main bout will see overseas based junior lightweight `Hurricane’ Hugo Lewis returning home to battle Vincent Howard for the vacant Caribbean Boxing Association title.
The main supporting bout is over six rounds and will be in the super middleweight category. Simmons comes to Guyana with imposing credentials and has not lost in either the amateur or professional category.
“My fighter never expects an easy fight. I have told her that judging from Simmons’ record, this one could be a toughie. However, I checked and Simmons rated way below our girl. Gwendolyn has more to lose.” the trainer declared.
O’Neal is ranked number two in the world in the light heavyweight division by the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA). Simmons is rated in the super middleweight category and is at number four in the WIBA ratings and number seven in the International Women’s Boxing Federation (IWBF).
Daniels disclosed that sparring will conclude this weekend and work on strategy and technique will commence next week.
“We have been sparring with Linden Arthur but that will come to an end soon.
Come next week we will get into the finer points to make sure she is fully polished and ready.”
“As I said, Gwendolyn’s best qualities as a fighter are her determination and power. She is undefeated so far and I expect her to be that way after December 26. She is as good as they come.”
The card will also feature another female encounter as Shondell Alfred is scheduled to tackle Canadian Lisa Browne who holds a victory over the Guyanese.
The fight is in the bantamweight category and is over six rounds.
‘Classy’ Cassius Matthews takes on Dexter Breedy in a lightweight eight-rounder while Mark Dalton tackles Linden Arthur in a four-round featherweight contest.
