Bermuda Boxers Win Gold Medals In Barbados

December 11, 2012

Two Bermuda boxers traveled to Barbados to compete in an international tournament, and the Bermudian team went undefeated with both boxers besting their opponents to claim the gold medals.

Bermudians Stefan Dill [heavyweight] and Avita O’Connor [super heavyweight] both won gold medals at the ABAB 35th Anniversary Boxing Tournament held this weekend in Barbados.

Boxers from islands including Cayman Islands, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, St. Martin, and the US Virgin Islands competed in the event. Both Bermuda boxers had a single bout on Saturday night [Dec 8] in which they represented themselves very well.

Stefan Dill boxed in the 4th bout of the evening. There were three 3 minute rounds with a minute break between rounds. The 5’7″ Dill matched up against 6’3″ Cabral Barriteau-Foster of Barbados.

In the 2nd round, Dill came with a left jab to the body, followed by a vicious overhand right to the jaw that sent his opponent through the ropes from the center of the ring, dropping like a sack bag to the floor.

Barriteau-Foster received an 8 count and then the boxing resumed. Dill kept the pressure on and as a result he won Round 1 2:0, Round 2 1:0 and Round 3 was a draw, with the final result being a win for Dill.

Female boxer Avita O’Connor also took to the ring in the 7th bout of the evening. There were three 2 minute rounds with a minute break between rounds. Her opponent was Kemarah Stuart of Barbados, and both boxers had two bouts under their belts in their respective countries.

O’Connor was a bit nervous, but she never ever gave up and kept the pressure on the Bajan. She continuously threw repetitive punches to the body and the head throughout all three rounds of boxing.

The first round went to Stuart, the second round went to O’Connor and the third round also went to O’Connor, with the final result being a win for the Bermudian.

Coach Quinton “Duke” Mallory was very pleased with the performance of each boxer. As a result of their performances, they both were invited to the Trinidad National Championships to be held at in January 2013. and the Dr. Ronald Wilson Memorial/ Caribbean Championships in the Cayman Islands in September 2013.

Other Caribbean countries also stated that they would like for them and other Bermuda boxers that Bermuda to come to their National Championships to gain experience and exposure.

In addition, Bermuda’s Deborah Smith — an AIBA one-star official — represented Bermuda as the Team Manager and served as Referee/Judge at the tournament and has been asked to accompany her boxers at future events.

The tournament consisted of 29 bouts on December 7th and 8th. Ms. Smith refereed the second and thirteenth bouts and judged 12 bouts out of the 15 bouts held on Friday night, and also refereed the third and eleventh bouts and judged 12 bouts on Saturday night. .

All members of the boxing team who represented the island funded the trip out of their own pockets.

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Comments (17)

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Articles that link to this one:

  1. Video: Dill’s Gold Medal Winning Boxing Bout | Bernews.com | January 8, 2013
  1. CHEEKUMS BIE says:

    congrats to these boxers..you guys make me proud to be a bermudian

  2. TopCat says:

    Congrats you guys… Well done!

    Stefan you make us so proud.

  3. TopCat says:

    Wait why didn’t PLP or OBA assist with funds.

    I bet they’ll be so proud now yet did nothing to help with $$$

    • congrats says:

      What a stupid comment. Regardless of PLP or OBA there will be a budget allocated for any sports/recreation/community pot. Given the state of this island’s economy and debt do you realy think there is funding sitting around to go towards everyone who is a competitve athlete? Would this be money better spent than on the PLPmobile or the 100 OBA flyers in my mailbox?…of course, but it is an unrealistic expectation.

      • TopCat says:

        It is not a stupid comment… They could have assisted as this win is for Bermuda as a whole. They assisted with Miss Bermuda so why not them. The only stupid comment is yours so do yourself a favor and #pause

      • Ali Domner says:

        ppl make me laugh @congrats who made you the judge of what is stupid or not. @TopCat don’t even pay this idiot any mind your comment makes sense especially during this time.

        • Like It Is says:

          you all seem petty….please lets not argue and tarnish the accomplishment of these two Youth.

          Bermudians need to come out of their bubble.

          Not everything is about money as most in Bermuda have come accustomed to, before everyone lived on bravado because of their money mass, people still did things on their own…Like these two!

          They have shown us more than dedication and tremendous skill, they have proven that the thinking that government has to do everything for you or contribute is a myth…cause they did it any way!!!

  4. Islander says:

    Congratulations – on your wins and AVITA, keep up the great work. Community is proud.

  5. M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

    Well done Guy & Gal . Bring it on home .

  6. Gabbani says:

    Well done guys. I am proud of you.

  7. Like It Is says:

    Big Up!!! Stefan and Avita congrats on your achievement;)

    great reporting Bernews!!!

  8. We are now in SIMPLE season!! says:

    Well done and Congrats to you both!! Hopefully MANY more wins to you in the future!!

  9. CONGRATULATION STEFAN and AVITA!

  10. So Done says:

    Congrats to Stefan & Vita – YAY Vita..you went, you boxed and you brought home the GOLD!! And to think I was gonna give you the what for…I was worried about that beautiful face!! So proud of you hunnie, I guess I need to check my closet and find you a hot pair of shoes to go with that bling!! Love you!!

  11. Lena says:

    I AM SO PROUD OF STEPHAN….BUT REALLY PROUD OF MY SISTER AND HER COACH FOR SHOWING THE REAL TALENT SHE HAS HAD THAT OTHER COACHES HAS MISSED OUT ON……ALWAYS PRESSING ON DESPITE THE OUTCOMES BUT HAS PROVED THAT SHE IS BETTER THAN WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY MISSED OUT ON BEFORE….KEEP IT UP!!!! MALLORY YOU ARE THE BEST :-)