Caribbean National Weekly

USVI’s Heavyweight boxer Clayton Laurent beaten for the first time

By Natalie Greaves··1 min read
USVI’s Heavyweight boxer Clayton Laurent beaten for the first time
Key Points(5)
  • He came ready to fight, though, and even while I felt I was in control, it just takes one punch to change the outcome.”</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Laurent came into the fight after three straight professional wins and now holds a 3-1 record.
  • Garcia emerged from the contest at 5-1.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was a great fight,” he said.
  • “Up to that point, I didn’t feel like I was losing at all.
  • Now, I have to go back and work on my defence.
  • There has to be a hole there that gave him the chance to come through and land that hit.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is a one-punch sport and, unfortunately, I was on the short end of the stick this time.

TRUJILLO ALTO, Puerto Rico, CMC – United States Virgin Islands heavyweight Clayton Laurent, Jr suffered his first professional loss, when German Garcia of Mexico stopped him in the third round of their four-round contest last Friday here.

Laurent looked to be comfortably ahead on the judges’ scorecards and on his way to winning his fourth professional fight until Garcia landed a surprise punch to the face in the third round that put Laurent on the canvas, where he stayed for the 10-count, giving the Mexican a knockout victory.

“I was winning the fight, going into the third round establishing my jab, he was getting tired, I was hurting him with the shots and I just kept applying the pressure,” said Laurent afterward.

“The game plan was to wear him down and just start investing in the body, and then slowly take him out if I saw the opportunity. He came ready to fight, though, and even while I felt I was in control, it just takes one punch to change the outcome.”

Laurent came into the fight after three straight professional wins and now holds a 3-1 record. Garcia emerged from the contest at 5-1.

“It was a great fight,” he said. “Up to that point, I didn’t feel like I was losing at all. Now, I have to go back and work on my defence. There has to be a hole there that gave him the chance to come through and land that hit.

“This is a one-punch sport and, unfortunately, I was on the short end of the stick this time. I just have to go home, get some rest, recoup and get back into the gym again. Champions get back up. I have to learn how to overcome it and do better next time.”

Related Stories

Jamaica’s Blaise Bicknell eyes historic home breakthrough at Kingston Open

Jamaica’s Blaise Bicknell eyes historic home breakthrough at Kingston Open

Sabina Park restoration drive powers National Labour Day activities

Sabina Park restoration drive powers National Labour Day activities

Joseph eyes Sri Lanka series as recovery journey nears finish line

Joseph eyes Sri Lanka series as recovery journey nears finish line

Bunny Shaw commits future to Manchester City with landmark four-year deal

Bunny Shaw commits future to Manchester City with landmark four-year deal