Thrilling fight at Contender series

Leroy Brown, Gleaner Writer

Boxing fans got their fill of excitement on Wednesday night at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium, as Rikardo Smith turned in one of the most scintillating performances seen so far in the Wray and Nephew Contender series, to outbox Donovan 'Police' Campbell and earn a semi-final place in the competition. After six rounds of boxing, he ended up with a well-earned unanimous decision, as judge Clifford Brown scored it 60-54, Luke Irons 60-53 and Keith Brown 59-55.

The series, which is sanctioned by the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control, is being promoted by MJK Productions and sponsored by J. Wray and Nephew, Claro, TVJ and Foska Oats, has been getting good crowd support, and on Wednesday spectators cheered themselves hoarse, as the action continued round after round after round.

The question going into the fight was whether the 25-year-old Smith, with a 3-1 record, would be able to overcome the infighting skills and guile of the 42-year-old Campbell, who took a 12-4 record into the ring with him. Campbell's corner was confident that they would be able to nullify Smith's longer reach by keeping the action close, but this was not to be.

Smith kept his distance from the outset, and gradually asserted himself with stiff jabs to Campbell's head. Near the end of the round, he threw in a few combinations to the head and body, giving an indication of what was to come, and did just enough, especially in the last 30 seconds, to take the round.

Luring smith

At the start of the second stanza, Campbell shortened the distance between them and tried to lure Smith into a battle at close range, but he would have none of it. They exchanged punches for a minute of fierce infighting, before Smith stepped way and used his jabs and hooks to win the round.

There was a buzz of excitement as the third round started, and Campbell came at his opponent quickly and decisively. It was attack and counter-attack for a while, but Smith soon gained the ascendancy once more and two stinging unorthodox right jabs, followed by a series of two-fisted combination punches, had spectators cheering wildly. Smith had put another round in the bank and looked pleased as he went back to his corner.

Campbell was not dismayed, however, and came out aggressively for the fourth round. He kept the action close and had some initial success, but Smith shifted the tide with some excellent double jabs, introduced the uppercut to score inside, and then showed off his defensive skills by slipping punches with deft head movement as Campbell attacked.

Campbell capitalised

Smith relaxed somewhat in the fifth and Campbell capitalised on this. He scored with some excellent punches to the body, and a savage right hook to the head shook Smith out of his complacency. Smith then came roaring back, especially over the last 30 seconds, and no one was sitting as the round came to an explosive end.

Campbell made one last spirited attack to start the final round, but Smith quickly asserted himself and it was downhill for his opponent after that. Smith threw everything in his arsenal at Campbell over the last 30 seconds and the veteran barely lasted to the final bell. It was certainly a night to remember and the competition continues next Wednesday.