Harris takes Middle Crown
CONTROVERSY, abuse, assault and heavy showers dominated Ringside Promotions boxing card staged last Sunday at the National Park.
The card which featured two national title bouts and a preliminary contest was the continuation of the 44-round programme which was interrupted two Sundays ago by a power failure.
In the main bout on the card, National Light Middleweight champion Wayne Harris came from behind to score a technical knockout over Albert Browne in the final round of their 12-round contest to add the National Middleweight crown to his collection.
After 10 rounds of blistering action dominated by Browne a former title holder, Harris came on strong with solid punches to the head and body of his opponent in the penultimate round.
Harris kept up the pressure with a two-fisted attack on Browne sending him to the canvas for the mandatory 8-count.
Browne survived the count but he received further punishment forcing referee Ian Jardim to call a halt to the contest at 1 minute, 25 secs., of the final round to give Harris the vacant title.
In the main supporting bout for the vacant national featherweight crown, National Bantamweight
champion Michael Parris and Wayne Smith battled to a controversial draw.
The fight was close throughout but most boxing fans felt that Smith had gained the nod.
However, when the decision was announced the angry fans stormed the official table and abused the officials.
Referee Jardin was involved in a scuffle with one of Browne’s handlers shortly after officiating in the title fight.
Rain also had its toll on boxers, spectators and officials alike with spectators running for cover on three occasions while judges and other table officials took refuge under umbrellas.
But the boxers and referees had to battle it out in the showers and on a water-logged ring.
In the other bout on the card, Orin ‘Apple’ Moore scored an eighth round TKO over Conrad Hunte.