Charwin Estwick, making his second appearance at the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series and as a welterweight, stunned pre-fight favourite, the undefeated Daniel ‘The Dangerous’ Powell with a unanimous points decision victory over five rounds at the Chinese Benevolent Association Auditorium on Wednesday night.

Estwick entered the contest with a two-from-two defeat record against Powell, who paraded a one hundred per cent 11 from 11 win record with nine knockouts including the last six. However, it was the less experienced Estwick, 35, representing Team Jamaica, with his brawling approach, who took the first two rounds that forced Powell, representing Team USA, with his more classical approach to be little more than a spectator during the next three rounds of the contest. It was a situation which brought boos from the crowd, aimed specifically at Powell’s non-action. With the impressive record of nine KOs from 11 unanswered wins, the knowledgeable audience wanted to see more from ‘The Dangerous’ Powell, which never came.

With Powell offering so little for some lengthy periods, it did not surprise when judges Eion Jardine, Laurence Neufville and Lindel Allen scored the bout 48-47, 49-46, 49-46, respectively, all in favour of Estwick.

The crowd had already spotted the winner and when ring announcer Oliver Hardie made the announcement in favour of Estwick the crowd showed its approval with loud cheering.

The final preliminary result now shows Team Caribbean to be ahead of Team USA 6-2. The Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series continues next week with the first fight in the quarter-final round.

The Barbados-based Guyanese gloveman said: “I feel great. Right now this is the happiest moment of my life. This is my goal in life. I love boxing, so it is not about the money. I’ve started a little late in lifel, but my goal is to become a boxing champion and this is a good fillip to begin with.

“I would not say that this was a good fight by me, for after winning the first two rounds I began to tire and got so in the latter part of the fight. But an overriding determination and iron will, to succeed, kept me going. I knew that I had great legs than condition, but to lose 10 pounds in four days without eating at all and hydrating for five hours. So it was not easy doing this but in the long run, I got the reward that I was after.”

Powell was a spectre of disappointment: “He (Estwick) is a better puncher than I am. And I just could not adjust to his brawling style which served to inhibit my mobility. I am not too much disappointed with the judges’ decisions, for he did catch me with a few punches, though not flush, but connected enough to be scored, so I have no complain there. However, the disappointment is with my performance of not putting on a better show which I am capable of doing,” Powell added.