Manswell defeats Aruban in Mexico

TRINIDAD and Tobago heavyweight boxer Kertson Manswell is just two fights sway from qualifying for the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in August. Manswell started off his campaign to fight in Athens on a victorious note with an easy victory against Aruban Anthony Ignacio pummelling his opponent into submission in the first round of their fight in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday.

The Commonwealth Games, Central American and Caribbean Games and Pan American Games silver medallist now comes up against American Ricky Vagas tomorrow in a semi-final encounter which could prove to be more difficult for the Tobagonian. “Manswell knocked down the Aruban twice in the first round to win comfortably but the Vagas fight will be much more of a contest,” said Tansley Thompson yesterday. Thompson has been co-ordinating Manswell’s preparations for his Olympic qualification bid. Should Manswell get past the American tomorrow night he will clash with his conqueror in the gold medal match at the Commonwealth Games two years ago in Manchester, England — Jason Douglas of Canada.

Thompson said three other Trinidadians are in action in the Tijuana qualifying competition — Devon Jones, a junior welterweight; Kurt Sinnette, a middleweight and Abiola Shadeke. Sinnette has a big task on hand when he comes up against Mexico’s champion Alfredon Anguelo while Jones prepares for a bout against Peruvian Juan Zuliga. Shedeke only got his TT citizenship last week and in his first fight for his country lost after having to drop ten pounds. Shedeke’s father is a Trinidadian qualifying him for a TT passport.