O’Neil is Guyana’s fourth world champion
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
May 31, 2004
AFTER one of the most bruising and exciting encounter in recent times, Gwendolyn “Stealth Bomber” O’Neil wrested a unanimous decision over American Kathy Rivers to claim the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) light heavyweight title, becoming Guyana’s fourth world champion.
In the historic world title clash, Saturday night at the National Park, judge Trevor Arno scored the bout 98-95, Tommy Thomas of Trinidad & Tobago 100-90 and Andrew Thorne 98-92. Chronicle Sport scored it 98-95.
Both Guyanese judges awarded two rounds to Rivers, while the Trinidadian gave all ten rounds to O’Neil. Chronicle Sport gave the American two rounds, also. Arno scored three as drawn rounds, just like Chronicle Sport.
O’Neil declared: “I didn’t have any real hard time with her because the plantains and the eddoes and God are very good. I never felt threatened of losing this fight. But Kathy Rivers fought because most of my opponents didn’t survive like she did.”
The new world champion said she now has her eyes on the highly touted Leila Ali and grabbing all the titles under the various governing bodies.
From the first gong, O’Neil started attacking the American with combinations to head, changing to body. Rivers could only get in one or two right hooks to head. Round two was no different as the Guyanese relentlessly attacked the American with left-right combinations to head. Again Rivers still got in right hooks, one a solid connection.
In the third round, O’Neil began with left jabs, but Rivers penetrated to land a solid left to head and right hooks. O’Neil reverted to storm her opponent with combinations to head and body, with Rivers trying to fight back.
Rivers seemed to be taking over the fight in round four, stabbing some straight lefts to head, then landed combinations to head. O’Neil tried fighting back toward the end of the round, but it was clearly the American round.
At the start of round five, Rivers scored to head but O’Neil turned to body shots and in closing moments took control with solid head shots to take the round.
Round six was a bruising affair, with unrelenting toe-to-toe exchanges. The crowd got into the fray, shouting “O’Neil, O’Neil,” with world champions “Vicious” Vivian Harris and Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite bawling instructions over the din. And O’Neil landed some solid straight lefts, followed by overhand rights, but Rivers was accurate with some head shots. That round was even.
Rivers seemed to turn around the fight in round seven, dominating with skilful boxing, scoring nicely to head. O’Neil still fought back landing a couple of overhand rights to head, but Rivers got the edge to claim the round.
In round eight, Rivers pinned O’Neil to the ropes and toe-to-toe exchanges ensued. The crowd again got involved urging their countrywoman with “O’Neil, O’Neil, O’Neil.” That seemed to spur the Guyanese on and she slipped out to end the round fighting and looking stronger to barely take the round.
Round nine, both boxers had equal exchanges, with shots to head, solid lefts and rights with no ground given.
The final round was a bruising exchange from gong to gong, with no quarters given and the advantaged changed from one side to the next as both boxers scored some telling blows to head. That round again was even.
It was a fight worthy of world championship status, according to one pleased fan, bringing the some 5 000 people to their feet as it unfolded, including President Bharrat Jagdeo, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and City Mayor Hamilton Green.