St Clair wins featherweight title in Australia
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
July 20, 2004
Gary St Clair has moved one step closer to joining the elite group of Guyanese world champions.
Last Saturday at the State Sports Centre in New South Wales, Australia, St Clair won the World Boxing Federation International super featherweight title after stopping Philippines' Bart Abapo in the sixth round of the scheduled 12-rounder.
St Clair is currently ranked 13th by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the victory is bound to push him higher in the ratings.
News of the victory was an occasion for celebration Keith `Buckilo' Brazilio said. Bazilio, who guided St Clair through the early part of his career added that it was only a matter of time before a world title belt was around St Clair's waist.
"I'm very happy to hear this. However, it is no surprise that Gary is doing so well. I know that some day, sooner than, later we will be celebrating him another Guyanese world champion," Bazilio said.
"I think that he has the temperament, skills and determination to get the job done. Guyana has another son who is making us proud."
And St Clair's mentor Godfrey `Baffa' Watson, a close relative, echoed Bazilio's comments. Watson said when he introduced St Clair to the sport 18 years ago, he knew he was a world champion in the making.
"I'm very, very proud of him and I know that he still has much more for us," Watson told Stabroek Sport.
The victory was the third for the 29-year-old St Clair and his 16th since moving to Australia in 2001. Both fighters weighed in at 130 pounds but the talented St Clair was too much for Abapo who became the Guyanese 14th knockout victim.
St Clair has not lost a fight since taking up residence in the island continent and is being trained by former world champion Jeff Fenech.