‘Wasp’ delivers deadly sting to defeat Kelly
Michael “Wasp” Gardener returned to the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series as a stinging sensation when he finished off Team Canada’s Jay Kelly in the first minute of the first round of their five-round bout at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) auditorium on Wednesday night.
The quickfire result turned the CBA into pandemonium as the jubilant crowd celebrated the fashion in which the local boxer disposed of his opponent, by the technical knockout route.
“As I said before, I am prepared for five rounds, but if the opening presented itself I will take it as I am here to win this championship.
“I was not expecting this to happen so soon, but I saw the opening and hit him with the straight left and he buckled. After that, he did not have much to offer. I believed he was surprised by my southpaw stance,” Gardener said.
After Kelly was knocked down for the second time in quick succession, his corner had no other alternative but to throw in the proverbial towel as they had seen enough and intervened to prevent the further battering of their fighter.
“All that I can say, he did very well. After tonight’s encounter I will take a six-month break away from the sport to regroup then see where I go from there. I will definitely remain in boxing and use this experience as a guide for continuing my boxing development for future conquests,” said Kelly.
Earlier, the packed house was again royally entertained by the two amateur bouts featuring a welterweight three-rounder between Sanjay Williams from the Bruising Gym of Stony Hill and Ricardo Carter from Dreamsport Gym from Spanish Town. This was a repeat of the action of last week with Williams taking a unanimous decision against Carter.
In the other three-rounder — a light heavyweight bout between Renaldo Beckford of Oracabessa Gym and Alando Lewis of Heavy Metals Gym — the former came out the winner with a TKO victory.
Team Jamaica’s Toriano Nicolas will come up against a tough Dave Leblond of Team Canada in the sixth fight of the preliminary rounds next Wednesday.
— Hurbun Williams