Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Courtney Simister (left) of Hard Knocks Gym holds onto Anthony Williams of Job Walters Gym after their fight on the weekend's 'Saturday Nights at the Fights' card at Oakton Park Entertainment Complex in Half-Way Tree. Simister won on points. - PHOTO BY ANTHONY FOSTER
AFTER MAKING a successful ring return on the weekend, former Caribbean welterweight champion Courtney Simister of Hard Knocks Gym has shifted focus to the Commonwealth Games.
"The Commonwealth box-off is a must," Simister told journalists after he beat Anthony Williams of Job Walters Gym at 'Saturday Night at the Fights', put on by the Jamaica Boxing Board at Oakton Park Entertainment Complex in Half-Way Tree square.
In preparation for the box-off, he said he'll be looking to participate in upcoming events.
"I have to look at the first one (fight) coming up on December 27. After that, Commonwealth (preparation) straight up," Simister added.
That fight card will be held at Twin Tree Jerk Centre in Westmoreland.
MISSING IN ACTION
Simister, who was missing in action for over two years, said Andrew Boldon, Glenroy 'Bumpy' Beckford and John Maker were the persons who helped to bring him back into the ring.
"'We want you fi go rule, do what you use to do, win back the championship like you use to'," Simister said he was told by his trainers. "And this is the outcome," he pointed out.
Since then, he has had little training and says it was evident in Saturday's fight.
".... I didn't prepare long for it [the fight]. To be honest it was about three weeks' preparation," he admitted.
Given the circumstances, he paid tributes to several people and God.
"First I have to say thank God ... and to trainer Boldon and coach Beckford and Maker. If it wasn't for them it wouldn't be possible."
Trainer Boldon said his charge's training will be stepped up for Simister's next fight, which is an exhibition bout.
EXTENSIVE TRAINING
He expressed disappointment with Saturday night's performance and said from now on "it's extensive training".
"I am going to punish him for what he did tonight. He didn't do what I asked him to do, but he did half of it," noted Boldon.
"If he had done fully what I asked him to do I think Williams would be on the ground. That's what we were looking for," he insinuated of a knockout.
Simister beat Williams, who lost six points for unfair tactics, on points.
In other fights on the card, Omar Gavin of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) beat Everton Eccleston of Stanley Couch Gym in the light-heavyweight open, while welterweight boxers Kevin White and Shawn Wheatle of the JDF beat Lloyd Smith of Hard Knocks and Nicholas Walters of Job Walters respectively.
In the lightweight (junior/novice) section, Nakia Palmer of Stanley Couch beat Oraine Walters of Job Walters; Kimarni Campbell of Job Walters stopped gym-mate Oshaine Reid in the middleweight open; and Rannell Lewis of Hard Knocks beat Camion Goldson of Stanley Couch.
