`Deadly’ Dalton crushes ‘Crusher’ Thomas
… to claim national junior middleweight title
By Leeron Brumell
Guyana Chronicle
December 28, 2003
‘DEADLY’ Denny Dalton put on a deadly showing, dropping Keith ‘Crusher’ Thomas in the second round to take the National Junior Middleweight title, on Boxing Night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Dalton only needed two minutes in round two to take the scheduled 12-rounder bout in front of a half-full and frenzied crowd.
Dalton tested his opponent in the first round using his jab and a few power punches to feel out his man.
After the bell ended the first round, Thomas had backed Dalton against the ropes and fired two punches for which he was warned.
Then came the ‘deadly’ round. Dalton came out attacking, forcing Thomas onto the ropes on a number of occasions with combinations of right and left power punches that took seconds to take its toll on the body and head of Thomas.
Dalton backed him up for a third time in the round with a flurry of shots to the body then ended with a hard right and left combination and the rest is history, Thomas fell face down on the canvas, crushed by `Deadly’ Dalton.
He was down for referee Eion Jardine’s count.
REFEREE Eon Jardine giving the count to Keith ‘Crusher’ Thomas after he was floored.
Dalton delivered on the card dubbed ‘A Power Punch’ organised by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC).
Dalton, on making his entry, requested that the 23rd Psalm be recited as his motivation.
At the end of the fight he said that his victory was based on the Holy Spirit.
“I left everything up to Him because he is where my strength lies. I’m proud to be the champion and I know bigger things are in store.”
In the main supporting bout, Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred became the new national bantamweight champion with an eight-round decision over Stephanie ‘Razor’ George.
From the sound of the first bell, Alfred attacked, connecting to the head of George with a number of left hooks and jabs to the face. George however stayed on her game and did not involve herself in power-punching, mainly looking for that one lucky shot.
She was denied by Alfred who continued to move throughout the remainder of the match, until the pace slowed for a bit.
Both women got their punches in, Alfred connecting more, as George was not a smooth mover on her feet.
The seventh and eight rounds proved more explosive and Alfred came out guns blazing trying to score a knockout, but George held her own, however, losing on points.
Alfred’s victory was greeted with cheers from her supporters and boos from George’s band with some even wanting to start their own rivalry with Alfred as she walked around the arena.
The opening match in the catch weight division was declared a draw much to the displeasure of the fans as the much older Ovid Jack and Wayne Briggs battled over four rounds.
Briggs who weighed in at 142 pounds seemed the fitter of the fighters but Jack put in a better showing in the second and third rounds.
Fight number two was taken by Pamela ‘Grenade’ London in the heavyweight division against Shelly ‘The Boom’ Gibson.
London weighed in at 190 pounds, 48 less than Gibson but showed her worth in taking the four-round bout that was refereed by Michael Benjamin.
The third bout was won by Dillon Carew owning to injury on the part of Dexter Breedy who threw in the towel at the end of the fourth round on the doctor’s advice. .
Breedy had picked up a cut in the second round above the eye, which got worse as the fight progressed.
The annual event was sponsored by Banks Malta and Vita Malta.