Manswell defeats Czech boxer on points decisionSaturday, March 20 2010
KERTSON MANSWELL registered an unanimous decision over Tomas Mrazek of the Czech Republic in a 10-round non-title heavyweight bout at the Lotto Arena, Antwerpen, Belgium last evening (Trinidad and Tobago time).
The Tobago-born pugilist, according to promoter and match-maker Buxo Potts, got verdicts of 79-72, 78-72 and 79-73 from the ringside judges, to take his professional record to a perfect 20 wins from as many bouts, including 15 knockouts.
Mrazek, on the other hand, was a late replacement for German Werner Kreiskott, but his record is now an embarrassing 26 defeats from 35 fights.
According to Potts, who accompanied Manswell to Belgium, “the guy didn’t come out to fight, instead he ran all night. Manswell went to his body since (Mrazek) came just to survive.”
Potts continued, “(Manswell) gave him a good work-over and the people were pleased with Manswell.
“It demonstrates the level of his performance for him to win in Europe,” Potts affirmed.
Manswell, who earned a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2002, has been eyeing a shot at a world title. And, with a 41-pound advantage over Mrazek (261-220), Manswell had little trouble against his Czech opponent and will now set his sights on the Klitchko brothers Vitaly and Wladimir of the Ukraine.
“(Manswell) was confident and comfortable in the fight,” Potts said. “He would have loved a knockout (last evening) but we had to make do with the unanimous decision.”
Potts said in hindsight it was an excellent decision to take Manswell to Europe since it exposed him to the possibilities that will now open up for him.
He said he expected Manswell to get a world ranking of No 40 which would ultimately get him into the top ten later this year should he maintain his unbeaten record. Potts said Manswell has shown he has the ability to go to Europe and win.
Potts has planned two more fights for Manswell in the short term — a bout in Spain and on the upcoming Ria Ramnarine — Etsuko Tada world title fight on April 24 at the Centre of Excellence at Macoya.
Potts said Manswell is poised to attract the attention on the leading heavyweights but he wants to carefully select his rivals in an effort to build his record leading up to a million dollar payday for the fighter.
Manswell and Potts are due to return home this weekend.
