Fighting to be a Caribbean Champion - 2019 Trinidad & Tobago
The Lead Up
I am mentally and physically remaining patient at this point in my journey. My father, my teammate Big 12 and I are all working hard. “Training camp wasn't fun … Just Kidding, camp with the team, always has its great moments.” In November, I had training camp and a couple tune-up fights to prepare for this tournament in Early December. Time is ticking closer and closer to my next tournament, the Caribbean Championships in Port of Spain Trinidad. Months turn into weeks, and weeks become those last few days and nights prior to the opening ceremony. After a few workouts with Coach Vasquez, Coach Dewith and Team Jamaica (Hanson, Riccardo, Lisa, Shereeki and Brittney) were good to go once climatized and on weight. I am ready to do what I love.
What would you say if you had the opportunity to hear your National Anthem, while the people give you a standing ovation and cheering while your Country's Flags rise towards champion ceiling-banner heights? No pressure! I fight for more than I can see.
(left) In the Red corner Joshua Frazer fighting out of Jamiaca vs (right) in the blue corner Kevin McKenzie of guyana .
Manifest your Goals - Work Hard - Remain gritty and highly Dedicated to your loving industry.
Take-off
December weather in Canada is not overly kind. The weather reporter would usually say we have snow, slippery with icy conditions. CP24 was my go-to the morning of the flight. San Fernando and Port of Spain Trinidad was listed to have weather conditions around 18-20 degrees during our stay for 2019 Caribbean Championships. After a long wait in the airport, flight time, and a sleepy and bumpy two hour drive we arrived at our hotel.
The Hotel Royal was a beautiful place. At tournaments like these, we do not have much time for sightseeing because we must rest and stay focused. We will often find a place to buy some fruits for dinner and rest as much as possible for weigh-ins the next morning.
My Time is Now
This feeling of enjoyment and belonging while at the Carribean Championships was simply an amazing feeling. I got the opportunity to meet new people while also being able to experience the great moments with my teammates.
During a big tournament there are so many fights happening in a day. Fortunately, we are scheduled to have some rest days between our fights to recover and prepare for the next competition. This also ensures the fighter is recovered enough, as not to injure or do damage to one’s body.
With my coach and father, Dewith Frazer, guiding me towards my future goals, I feel I am truly a student of the game. My coach and boxing teach will watch videos of my upcoming opponents to help develop a strategy and prepare me for the fight.
For me personally, I must mentally prepare and visualize my fights and overcoming certain obstacles to win. Putting myself in the ring, in the hotel, in the city before leaving home had led me to be more relaxed on the bigger stage of a tournament after arrival. Manifesting and self-talk has led me to believe anything is possible. The hard work of training camp was done “Stay Focused & Go have Fun,” Coach always says.
Fight Number 1
December 5th, 2019 - Weather Sunny - Sporting Location; Pleasantville Indoor Complex - Opponent Kevin McKenzie of Guyana
We come to the middle of the ring and the referee gives us some rules and things he'll be looking for during the match; nothing below the belt, keep your heads up and protect yourselves at all times. “TOUCH GLOVES & COME OUT BOXING,” said the international referee in charge of the bout.
[Round 1 Ding! Ding!]. Kevin McKenzie, a young fighter from Guyana had been overly aggressive as he approached and met me in the middle of the ring. I zip off a couple jabs to keep him at distance and at bay. As the round continues, I try to relax and just let punches flow. McKenzie seems to be digging in deeper, trying to throw heavy power shots with bad intentions. I throw a few faints that seem to trick my opponent, followed by some long-range shots. I hear “knock, knock, knock” to indicate 10 seconds left in the round. Both teams are yelling their fighters on as we get closer in range, letting our hands go in the last ten seconds before the bell. Ding! Ding! “Time!” yells the referee, as he steps in to separate us as the round comes to an end.
I'm in the corner and both Coach Vasquez and Coach Dewith keep saying “stay focused, this guy has no chance with you, He is scared! Go get this job done!”
[Round 2 Ding! Ding!] The opening bell of round two rings and I come out of the blue corner ready and focused. Now feeling more grounded, my combinations are starting to land nicely, but I am still getting caught with a few lazy shots.
I see that my opponent is not worrying about throwing his jab but focusing on countering after my punches. I decide to up the number of punches I am throwing and the combinations land. I throw a combo and a flash knock down with touch of the canvas. I finish round two with two eight-counts against my opponent.
One round later and the fight is over. My team and I are certain I have the win. The announcer accidently declares Guyana as the winner, 4-1.
As I raised my hand and think twice about what was just said, the announcer corrects himself and declares “Winner Joshua Frazer of Jamaica!”
Fight Number 2 & 3
My next two fights were both against tough opponents. I won my second fight against a hard hitting fighter from Guadeloupe by RSC. This means the referee stops the competition for the sake of the opponents safety.
Fight three was against Dudley O’shouseghae, a skillful and seasoned opponent that took a lot of body shots, and surprisingly Dudley came back with even more tricky angles and a way to keep counter punching. This was the finals between Jamaica versus St. Lucia. We ended it with huge smiles and laughs I remember this match was toe to toe. I landed some clean punches with one of those body shots resulting in a knockdown. I also moved Dudley backwards with combos and solid body shots. Weird, I swore I saw my opponent on Top Boy, a television show that my mom and I had watched before leaving, Canada. This fight went the distance of three rounds ending in a 5-0 unanimous decision for Joshua Frazer fighting out of Jamaica.
In the End I became the 69Kg 2019 Caribbean Champion that day. I was proud of all my opponents for showing up, truly they all gave me all they had. I fought three different people with three different boxing styles.
(left -right)(Sliver,Gold,Bronze,Bronze) Dudley O’shousehae of St Lucia , Joshua Frazer of Jamaica, Trinidad medalist and Guadeloupe medelist.(sliver,gold,bronze,bronze)
We Triumph Through Tribulations
The journey is not easy. It is not an easy road to become the best or even great at anything. You need to find beauty in friends and meet different people throughout your day and night.
I am focused, determined and highly dedicated to boxing and becoming someone great. I remain on my path and journey with nothing getting between my mental and physical drive for true profession …. True Success.
Thank you all for your time,
Yours Truly,
Joshua “Hellrazor” Frazer
Joshua Frazer won the 69Kg Caribbean Championships Gold as well as took home the tournaments Best Boxer of 2019 Caribbean Championship Men's Trophy.
“P.s To my Mother & Father
I wouldn't be here without you.
I love you, your support,your Pride & Faith in me and our Family.
Thank You So Much.
Love Joshua”