By GM Ross: Bermane “B-Ware” Sitverne (19-1-1) of Montreal, Quebec, won a trophy case worth of belts in Pontiac, Michigan, on January 29, earning the WBC International, WBC USNBC and WBA Fedelatin heavyweight titles against Kerston Manswell (20-0-0) of Trinidad and Tobago. The contest was scheduled for ten rounds, but lasted less than two. In the first round Stiverne contented himself with jabbing, feeling out an equally cautious Manswell.
In round two, however, Stiverne loaded up a big right hand and sent Manswell sprawling across the canvas. Somehow, Manswell beat the count and was permitted to continue. When Manswell rose he was promptly pressured by Stiverne and quickly dropped for a second time, forcing the referee to halt to the contest.
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canadian Professional Boxing Federation (CBF) super bantamweight champion Tyson Cave scored a near shutout over Nestor Bolum (8-1-0) of Vancouver to win the WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight crown. The judges scored the contest unanimously in favour of Cave, 100-90, 100-90 and 99-91. On the undercard, Steve Cannell (5-4-3) defeated Hassan Wasswa (5-12-3) via unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 60-54 in favor of Cannell.
Several Canadians will see action this weekend (February 4-6). Golden Boy Promotions has confirmed that Mikael Zewski (6-0-0) of Trois Riveres, Quebec, will take on Joseph De Los Santos (4-7-3) of Bayamon, Peurto Rico, in a six round contest in Lares, Puerto Rico. Also on February 4, Wildcard Promotions will present their second event, ‘WCP2,’ at Barrie, Ontario’s Molson Centre. The co-main event features CBF heavyweight champion Neven Pajkic (15-0-0) against Louisiana heavyweight champion Johnnie White (22-3-0) for the vacant NABA Canada heavyweight title. In the other headliner, Lindsay Garbatt (6-3-1) will put her WIBA super featherweight title on the line against former WBC super featherweight queen Jelena Mrdjenovich (24-6-1). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to George Chuvalo’s charity, “Fight Against Drugs.”