Jamaica’s boxing talent shone brightly at the National Arena as Richard "Shrimpy" Clarke claimed the WBC junior flyweight title in a dominant 12-round performance against Mexican champion Jimmy Fernandez. Clarke’s win not only added another belt to his growing collection but also cemented his place among Jamaica’s world boxing greats. The night further highlighted the island’s rising stars, with strong showings from Paul Davis and Clive Ellis, affirming that Jamaica remains a force in the ring.

Published Sunday, May 3, 1987 

‘Shrimpy’ makes it four for Jamaica

Captures new WBC junior flyweight title

 By H.G. Helps

Local flyweight Richard "Shrimpy" Clarke did his country proud at the National Arena, outpointing Mexican Jimmy Fernandez in a classic 12-round display to capture the newly created World Boxing Council (WBC) junior flyweight title.

Clarke, holder of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC), Commonwealth, and Continental of Americas flyweight titles, used a swift, sharp jab and speed to frustrate the aggressive Mexican flyweight champion, who sustained a cut over the right eye in round seven.

But from the fourth round, when Fernandez reeled off hard punches to Clarke's abdomen and face, the Jamaican dominated the other eight rounds, and the scores at the end of the fight came as no surprise.

Referee Harry Cruse of Aruba, who had a lot of work to do in the match-up, scored it 119 to 110 in Clarke's favour. Judge George St. Aude of Trinidad and Tobago scored 119 points for Clarke and 111 for Fernandez, while Jamaican judge Vincent Fenton gave Clarke 119 points and 111 to Fernandez.

Clarke earned about $40,000 for the fight, with Fernandez pocketing a similar figure for his effort.

Clarke became the fourth Jamaican boxer to win a world title. The others were junior middleweight Michael McCallum, who was the island's first world champion; heavyweight Trevor Berbick; and welterweight Lloyd Honeyghan. Berbick subsequently lost the heavyweight crown to American sensation Mike Tyson in his first defence.

On the five-fight card promoted by Ringside Promotions, former WBC junior welterweight champion Saoul Mamby of the United States scored an eight-round technical knockout over Angel Quinonez of the Dominican Republic.

Mamby, whose father was born in Jamaica, gave a masterly display against the 24-year-old champion of the Dominican Republic.

However, promising Jamaican light-heavyweight Michael Dewar was shot down by a strong Louis Coleman of the United States, with Coleman scoring a seventh-round TKO over Dewar after flooring the Jamaican three times in the bout.

Jamaican welterweight Paul Davis sent Juan Graziano of the Dominican Republic to the canvas in the sixth round, and Jamaican lightweight Clive Ellis scored a unanimous eight-round win over Manuel Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic.

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