Nicholas Walters trounced U.S. Virgin Islands' Otoniel Ortiz 31-15 in the featherweight category - File

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

JAMAICANS SHAWN Wheatle and Nicholas Walters, along with Trinidad and Tobago's Andrew Fermin, claimed victories, while Guyanese fighters continued to struggle at the Pan American Games qualifiers at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre on Wednesday.

Wheatle beat Trinidadian Aaron Prince, while compatriot Walters convincingly whipped Otoniel Ortiz of the U.S. Virgin Islands, 31-15 in the featherweight category.

Fermin, meanwhile, took care of business againstCanadian Francy Ntetu, as the trio of English-speaking Caribbean boxers enhanced their chances of a place at the upcoming games, in Brazil, in July.

Cost him the fight

Prince, a Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association silver medallist, was guilty of squandering a good chance to advance to the second round of the qualifiers. His waiting attitude cost him the fight against Wheatle, who won the bout 9-7 on points in a low-scoring affair.

From the first bell, it was evident that Prince waited too long to get his combinations together. Only at the beginning of the fourth and final round, when he took the lead for the first time (7-6), did he look like overturning Wheatle. But he returned to his shell, allowing his opponent the chance to get three points without scoring any.

Fermin, who on Tuesday night defeated Colombian Monroy Jeison 12-8 on points, had to deal with a taller and stronger Ntetu in order to gain his second consecutive victory.

Many times during the bout Fermin failed to take advantage of openings that appeared when Ntetu came up short with his punches.

Several times the fight looked like a wrestling match as Fermin was physically thrown around the ring by Ntetu.

On the losing side

'Jamaican Kevin White was not as fortunate as his fellow nationals and went under 18-15 to Oscar Rivera of El Salvador.

Guyanese fighters continued to disappoint when Markember Pierre fell 23-6 on points to Carlos Gongora, the Ecuadorian who was winning his second fight in the tournament.

Also finding himself on the losing end was Barbadian Omar Ward who lost 29-11 on points to southpaw Orlando Rizo of Nicaragua.

Jesus Cuellar of Argentina again showed his class by coming from behind to stop Canadian Ghisiain Muduma in a close contest. He won 16-11 after trailing for three rounds.