25830: Hermantin(News)Tropical Games: Augustama steps up, wins (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>


Tropical Games: Augustama steps up, wins



Sharon Robb
Sun-Sentinel

July 24, 2005, 9:25 AM EDT

Every amateur boxing show he goes to, Haitian-born Azea Augustama knows there's 
a possibility there will be no opponents in his weight class or at least any 
that are willing to go up against a national champion.

Augustama, 20, one of three boxing brothers from Hollywood PAL, made the 
ultimate sacrifice Saturday at the Tropical Games of the Palm Beaches when he 
went up a weight class to take on top heavyweight Arturo Reyes of De La Rosa 
Boxing in Miami.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the four-round bout was one of the best 
on the record 21-bout card at the South Florida Fairgrounds .

Augustama, boxing at a 15-pound weight disadvantage (186 pounds), scored his 
first victory over the 201-pound Reyes with a 5-0 decision. Augustama 
overwhelmed Reyes with his power and speed. His combination body shots and jabs 
kept Reyes off-balance.

Immediately after the bout, the boxers embraced. Reyes asked Augustama for a 
rematch.

"I have been trying to fight him for a while because he is such a good boxer," 
Augustama said. "I know he's a bigger guy at 201, but for some reason the match 
just never happened until today. I knew he was good for a long time. It kills 
me when I come to shows and I can't fight. I don't mind boxing heavyweight.

"I could tell he was getting frustrated. He tried to force his way inside. I 
didn't give him a chance to do nothing. This is a good win for me."

It was one of Augustama's biggest victories of his career, which also includes 
wins over former amateur Mike Maroone of Vero Beach, now a pro, and national 
champion Rene Rommel of Orlando, who is turning pro.

"I think he would make a great small heavyweight," said Hollywood PAL trainer 
Tony Betancourt. "His speed makes up for his lack of weight. There was no 
guarantee we would get a fight. We were very fortunate to fight someone of his 
caliber."

The construction worker, whose nickname is "Stanley" hopes to represent Haiti 
at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He just missed making the 2004 
Olympics. Augustama, one of 12 children, has been invited to compete in an 
international match in Britain next month.

Hollywood PAL teammate Ricky Hernandez, 19, posted his first victory of his 
young amateur career with a 5-0 division over Leonidas Thalassites in the 
119-pound novice division. Francisco Alvarado, 13, of Metro-Dade Boxing, 
trained by former champion Robert "Preacher Man" Daniels, won his Junior 
Olympic debut at 109 pounds.

Boxing was one of 10-sports held at the second annual multi-sport festival. The 
two-day competition ended a day early because events began early and ran 
smoothly, according to organizers. About 700 athletes from throughout the state 
competed. Next year Florida Gold Coast boxing officials plan on inviting teams 
from the Bahamas and out of state for a World Cup format.