by Michael Bascombe

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Trinidadian heavyweight boxer Kertson Manswell moved a step closer to winning his first major international title on Tuesday.

 Manswell was a confident quarterfinal winner over homeboy Francisco Garcia Nunez at the Carlos Teo Cruz Boxing Coliseum.

 The Trinidadian fought with a reservoir of confidence and led his opponent at every round. He even outscored the Dominican in the final round to win on points 12-5 and at least secure the bronze medal.

 “I still held back because I need to save the best for last,” Manswell said following his victory.

 “I am confident that I will make it to the end and this time I would go for the victory,” he added.

 This is the third consecutive championship Manswell has been able to medal. He previously won silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador last year.

 Ironically, Manswell defeated Nunez in San Salvador to secure the silver and his semifinal opponent is no stranger to the Trinidadian’s punches in the ring.

 Manswell will meet American Devin Vargas while Commonwealth Games champion Jason Douglas of Canada fights Cuba’s Odlanier Fontes in Wednesday’s semifinals.

 Douglas was an easy winner over Grenada’s Andy Grant. Grant wasn’t any match for the powerful Canadian who used the advantage of Grant starting with a lose headgear.

 Twice the Grenadian received the eight-count in the first round by which time Douglas was leading the contest 10-0 before he received a referee stops contest win to advance to the semifinal round.