Weston impresses in world title tune-up

BRIDGETOWN:  World-rated Iva Weston impressively dismissed Crystal Lessey in a unanimous points win on an all-Trinidad and Tobago women’s boxing card at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on Friday night. Weston overcame a near 30-pound weight advantage Lessey had on her, and — using her superior skill and speed — did not lose a single round. The moderately attended fight card was the final show for veteran Barbadian boxing promoter Eric Sealy. Preparing for a November 29 shot at the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Youth title, the 145-pound Weston outclassed the heavier and stronger but less skilled Lessey (174 pounds) to win the four-round contest 40-36 on all the judges’ cards. Weston often switched to a southpaw (left-handed) stance and Lessey was unable to properly measure her offence.

“My coach trains me to fight on two sides so it will be difficult for the girls to figure me out,” Weston told CMC Sport. Weston, flustered for brief moments by her opponent’s strength and holding tactics, delighted the spectators with her display, especially a rapid sequence of accurate left jabs in the third round that rocked Lessey. “She was way heavier than me but I know the training that we get from our coach is very good. I am prepared for this,” added Weston, who is the number one contender for the WIBA’s youth welterweight title. The talented lightweight Giselle Martin defeated Donalee Andrews on a close unanimous points decision, and light heavyweight Arisha Logie comfortably beat Adafi Hills on points. In other bouts on the card, flyweight Leann Boodram stopped Avolan Ollivierre in the first round, and McKanna Asson won her junior featherweight contest with Kessey Lessey on a unanimous points decision.