V.I. amateur boxer Laurent wins in Barbados
Published: December 12, 2012
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ST. THOMAS - V.I. super heavyweight Clayton Laurent Jr. is just 22 years old, but the amateur boxer has an impressive résumé, which received another boost Saturday.
Laurent improved to 45-8-10 with 10 TKOs after a unanimous decision over Barbados' Anderson Emmanuel, 28, at the Richard Wilson Invitational in Barbados.
"It was a very instrumental fight for me," said Laurent, a 2008 Charlotte Amalie High School graduate. "It was an opportunity to show to my coaches that what we are working on in the gym wasn't just instrumental to victory, but it all paid off."
Laurent's latest win follows a strong performance in September in which he repeated as champion at the Paul Murphy National Classic Tournament in Atlanta.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pounder won all three rounds against Emmanuel.
"Couple shots that I hit him with, I saw his body and facial expressions and I could tell that it hurt," Laurent said.
Laurent was pleased with his defense, which allowed him to effectively counter-punch Emmanuel.
Laurent has been boxing since the 10th grade and is patiently waiting his chance to turn professional. Laurent, a member of the V.I. national team, just missed a qualifying spot for last summer's London Olympics.
"My aspirations are to be a professional boxer," Laurent said. "I hope to stay in shape and continue winning these tournaments and my coaches will determine when I'm ready to go professional."
Laurent is the stepson of V.I. boxing coach Julian Jackson.
- Contact Tim Chapman at 714-9102 or tchapman@dailynews.vi.
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