Thirteen persons trained as boxing officials graduated from an intensive three-week course at the G.C Foster College on Tuesday and some are set to get their first jobs on a 10 fight-card to be staged this Friday under the Jamaica Boxing Board’s Gloves Over Guns initiative.
Twenty applicants had enrolled in the course that ran from October 13 to November 5. However, six men and seven women completed the course. It was the first time that this many women were being trained as boxing officials in Jamaica.
"We covered the duties and responsibilities of referees and judges. We looked at things the referee should do before the bout, during the bout and after the bout,” said Kevin Stupart, AIBA certified instructor, who conducted the course.
“The reason we broke that down into three segments was for ease and simplicity in terms of teaching it and letting them understand the different fundamentals as it relates to boxing officiating."
Toniann Lindsay, one of the graduates expressed her satisfaction at being able to complete the intensive course.
"I wanted to be one that passed. I didn't want to be come through and drop out because it wasn't just 13 of us that started the course but 13 of us finished strong,” she said.
“We learned a lot in this course. We learned the roles and responsibilities of both being a judge and a referee. It was a very interesting course and I am so elated to be here right now at this ceremony collecting my certificate. (I) look forward to Friday as we will also be displaying what we have learnt. I just want to thank everyone who made this possible."
Jamaica Boxing Board President Stephen 'Bomber' Jones and Chester McCarthy, Athletic Director at GC Foster College both welcomed the first cohort of trainees.
“This will first of all allow us to have more activity on the same evening or closer bouts, week to week as we are looking to have closer bouts now,” Jones remarked.
“It will open our minds, expand our thinking as we try and get into high school boxing where we could have officials at multiple venues. Now that we have 13 officials graduating, its huge. The graduates are very excited. They are young, enthusiastic and they are willing to work so starting from this Friday they will be in the ring.”
McCarthy, meanwhile, expressed similar sentiments.
"I am extremely elated for the primary reason that this is the first time in five or six years that we have been able to train a fresh set of officials for boxing here in Jamaica,” he said.
It’s an extremely good feeling to have partnered with the Jamaica Boxing Association to train these youngsters."
Come Friday, there will be nine amateur fights and a professional fight between Jermaine 'Breezy' Richards and Mason 'Common Fowl' Brown.
Wray & Nephew Fight Nights returns for a spectacular showdown in Downtown Kingston
Downtown Kingston will once again be the epicenter of electrifying boxing action as Wray & Nephew Fight Nights makes a triumphant return on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The boxing exhibition, extending into 2024, will conclude the calendar year with a thrilling seaside showdown in Jamaica's bustling capital.
Undefeated since the commencement of the boxing competition, professional boxer Jermaine "Breezy" Richards steps back into the ring for his third match of the season at the Breezy Castle fights. The event will also showcase a fresh set of female challengers vying for supremacy in the boxing arena.
The upcoming spectacle will witness the return of Ian Darby, captivating the audience for the second time following his exhilarating bout against Fabian 'Truck' Tucker on October 7, 2023.
Jamaica Boxing Board President, Stephen Jones, expressed confidence that the series has firmly established its presence among Jamaicans and is poised to deliver high-quality boxing competition for local athletes.
"The popularity of the Fight Night series has surpassed our expectations, putting us in a fantastic position. With more eyes on the sport and Jamaica as a boxing destination, the next fight card will feature at least six amateur bouts and two professional matchups. Notably, fan favorites Jermaine 'Breezy' Richards and Ian 'The Impact' Darby will face formidable Colombian opponents, promising our most exciting night to date," stated President Jones.
Pavel Smith, Marketing Manager of Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, expressed enthusiasm about the advancement of local boxing careers and the overwhelming support from fans.
"In just three stagings, we've witnessed the resurgence of love and support for local boxing. Fans are enthusiastic, and boxers are eager to showcase their talent and elevate their careers. We are delighted to see increased attendance at the events and invite all boxing enthusiasts to Breezy Castle on December 16 for the grand finale of the Wray & Nephew boxing series," remarked Smith.
Sponsored by Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Television Jamaica, Pepsi Jamaica, Ultra Medical Services, Locker Room Sports, S & G Road Surfacing Materials Limited, and Creative Sports, the Wray & Nephew Fight Nights series, which commenced in July, is set to captivate boxing fans well into 2024.
Katie Taylor becomes undisputed light-welterweight champion
Katie Taylor claimed redemption with a majority decision victory over Chantelle Cameron in Dublin to become undisputed light-welterweight champion.
Taylor and Cameron produced a classic at 3Arena with both boxers trading blows throughout a gruelling 10-round contest that was scored 95-95, 98-92 and 96-94 by the judges.
Cameron had dominated their previous meeting in May and was widely tipped to get the better of the Irish great again, but it was a different fight as the home favourite promised.
Early success for Taylor proved crucial and a cut on Cameron’s left head from a clash of heads in round three contributed to a bruising encounter that went the way of the challenger.
It resulted in Taylor avenging the first professional defeat of her career and means she now holds the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO light-welterweight belts to firmly silence any talk of retirement.
Nathan Heaney eyeing middleweight world title fight against Janibek Alimkhanuly
Nathan Heaney has eyed a middleweight world title fight against Janibek Alimkhanuly after his majority decision victory over Denzel Bentley in Manchester.
The 18-0-0 Heaney became British middleweight champion on Saturday after an expert performance against London’s Bentley.
The Stoke supporter believes last week’s victory makes a future fight at bet365 Stadium more of a reality and set his sights on Alimkhanuly’s WBO and IBF belts.
“Frank (Warren) said the winner (Bentley or Heaney) fights for a world title and I think there’s no reason why I can’t fight Janibek (Alimkhanuly) and do my best,” Heaney told the PA news agency.
“Bentley did a very good job against Alimkhanuly himself (unanimous points defeat).
“Styles make fights and that could be a very exciting thing to happen.
“I want any of the world titles. Janibek has two world titles and so he’d be the best one to fight because you can get two birds with one stone there providing I can beat him.
“It lays the foundation to fulfil my dream which is to fight at Stoke City’s football ground.”
Bentley struggled to deal with the elusive Heaney, who showed signs of brilliance.
https://twitter.com/NathanHeaney/status/1726143846197936259
The undefeated Stoke fighter claimed he “played” with Bentley for 12 rounds and said the victory was emotional.
“Watching the fight back at times I was playing with one of the most dangerous middleweights in the division,” he added.
“He laid out his last title defence in 45 seconds but I’m in there with my hands on my thighs and I’m doing a little shoulder shimmy.
“Steve (Woodvine) told me exactly how to beat Denzel Bentley.
“In the first round I was moving my feet and I thought ‘he can’t close me down’. The plan Steve had set out for me was absolutely perfect.
“It must have been disheartening for him (Bentley) to be told before he’s going to knock me out and then not be able to land a shot on me.
“It was full of emotion. Some fighters online after I boxed behind closed doors said I’ll never get beyond area level.”
Heaney insisted the win was no surprise to him and that it was the best performance of his career.
He said: “It definitely didn’t surprise me (winning) but it did everyone else. It made the win even better because no-one expected it from me.
“Everything was flowing because I was enjoying it so much.
“It’s probably my best performance in terms of how I applied myself and the level of opposition.
“But there’s still lots of areas I could have improved on.
“When they announced me as the new British middleweight champion it gave me validation that I am a good fighter.”
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