Sport:Wray and Nephew Contender

YOUNG “WASP” heats up after destroying Sub-Zero 

It was undoubtedly a bittersweet night for longtime Contender fans.

On one hand, the Advanced Round got arguably the best start imaginable, with many calling the bout the best witnessed so far this season. On the other hand, the Contender faithful had to watch one of their most beloved gladiators fall, once again before reaching the summit.

Ramel “Sub Zero” Lewis, a previous finalist and semi-finalist was pitted against hot newcomer Michael “The Wasp” Gardener in what was, in many ways a classic match-up of diametric opposites: experience versus youth; short and stocky versus tall and rail-thin; power-puncher versus combo hitter.

Michael 'The Wasp" Gardener

By the sound of the bell ending the fifth and final round, the contest had lifted up to its billing and more, and baton had been passed. No doubt Lewis, who, in a previous interview, had claimed to have stepped up his training beyond even his normal superhuman level, had high hopes of moving on against a young fighter just beginning to make his mark on the scene.

But from the opening bell, Gardener  exuded a confidence, even a swagger, that belied his youth and relative inexperience. He took a few good shots from the veteran early on, but by the third, was gleefully mixing his dizzying hand speed and resilience with taunts, gradually luring his somewhat cagey opponent into  vulnerable spots, whereupon he proceeded to punish him with right hooks and jarring combinations. Twice, Lewis was subjected to the dreaded Standing Eight Count, with some in the crowd expressing the opinion that the referee was saving the veteran from what they felt was an inevitable knockout.

In the end, it was a more than comfortable decision, Gardener ahead on all the judges’ scorecards (49-46; 49-45; 50-45) and jubilant upon being announced as the winner. And the swagger held over as well. In his post-fight interview, the fighter declared that the remaining rounds “will be a cakewalk”.

That, of course remains to be seen, with the next quarterfinal bout looming, pitting Tsetsi “lights Out Davis” against Bajan Charman Estwick. But whatever happens, one thing remains certain: Under the dazzling lights, the colourful ring and the other distractions at the Chinese Benevolent Association centre, a new star was born, one whose path the hordes of Contender fans will be eagerly tracking.

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