Related items

• Highly anticipated boxing showdown: Jamaica vs. Colombia at Breezy Castle

  In an electrifying showdown set to captivate boxing enthusiasts, Jamaica and Colombia will go head-to-head at Breezy Castle in Kingston on Saturday, December 16, 2023. This much-anticipated event marks the fourth staging of the Jamaica Boxing Board-endorsed Wray & Nephew Fight Nights, featuring a thrilling lineup of bouts that promise an unforgettable night of sporting entertainment.

  The main event will showcase the talents of Jamaica's very own Jermaine "Breezy" Richards and Ian "Impact" Darby as they take on the formidable Colombian fighters Francisco Cordero and Julio Feria Jose Augustine.

  Adding star power to the night, dancehall sensation Bounty Killer is set to grace the stage, ensuring patrons enjoy not only exceptional boxing but also a fantastic overall experience.

  This action-packed evening features two professional headline fights, accompanied by 16 amateur matches that guarantee excitement across various weight classes.

  In the middleweight category, spectators can anticipate a fierce battle between female boxers Brittany McFarlane and Shanika Gordon, as well as Daniel Elijah Williams and Cayman Tafferel. Welterweight clashes include Delano McLaughin vs. Kirk Patrick Heron and Garvan Garrison vs. Roberto Williams, while the lightweight category presents Chavaun Gordon vs. Kevon McKenzie. The heavyweight bout will see Khamoi Barrette facing off against Sanje Hudson.

  Expressing his enthusiasm for the Wray & Nephew Fight Nights platform, Stephen 'Bomber' Jones, President of the Jamaica Boxing Board, stated, "As we continue into 2024, the opportunities for our boxers will continue to increase. Their recognition among international governing bodies will rise as far as their talents can take them. It truly is an exciting time for Jamaican boxing."

  Dominic Bell, Brand PR & Communications Manager at J. Wray & Nephew Limited, emphasized the rejuvenated energy that the Fight Night series has brought to the sport. "Wray & Nephew Fight Nights has injected life into local boxing. Each staging has a larger audience, and the response from the boxing fraternity has been positive. Not only is Wray & Nephew the preferred rum, but also a solid partner for sports development and stability in Jamaica."

  Don't miss the thrilling Wray & Nephew Fight Nights at Breezy Castle, Downtown, Kingston, on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 7:00 pm. Admission is free for all patrons, providing an excellent opportunity for Jamaicans to rally behind their countrymen in their quest for boxing supremacy.

• Kemahl ‘Hitman’ Russell delivers on promise, knocks out opponent in spectacular fashion

  Confident predictions still hold weight in boxing as Kemahl ‘The Hitman’ Russell, now 16-1 with 14 knockouts, delivered on his pre-fight prediction by flawlessly channeling the legendary Muhammad Ali on route to a third-round knockout of his Mexican opponent at the Pickering Casino Resort Arena on Saturday night.

  Facing off against the formidable Mexican champion Raffle ‘El Iraki’ Ortiz (16-6-1, 9KOs) who has a reputation for his resilience, Russell entered the ring determined to make a statement. Amidst his pre-fight media obligations, ‘The Hitman’ boldly declared to SportsMax.TV, "I expect to get this guy outta there by the third round,' evoking memories of Muhammad Ali who was renowned for his brash pre-fight predictions.

  “I told everyone I was going to stop him and I was a man of my word. Just like my last fight, I knew it was going to be a short night because he (Ortiz) does not move his feet or his head and everyone in boxing knows the saying - if you don't move your head, someone will move it for you.”

  As the fight commenced - Russell was in absolute control, further fueling the already electric atmosphere within the arena from his growing fanbase. Ortiz, a southpaw and physically bigger, pressed forward in a high guard which he used to try to engage but ‘The Hitman’ would not allow him to dictate the terms. With a display of superior footwork and an educated left Jab, Russell neutralized Ortiz by circling the perimeter and stepping at angles to nullify the Mexican Champion’s tactics in an overall uneventful round-one.

   

  

   

  Then came the onslaught.

  After another brief feeling out process, Russell’s superior timing and ring ‘IQ’ became apparent in round-two. As Russell’s confidence grew behind a jab that always seemed to find its mark, he then gathered himself and threw a flurry of well-timed looping punches from angles that put Ortiz off-balance.

  Sensing that his opponent was hurt, ‘The Hitman’ used the opportunity to entertain by winding-up a bolo punch in the form of a windmill that traveled a long way before finding a home on Otiz’s chin. A series of uppercuts followed and then a short right cross from Russell dropped Ortiz to the canvas just before the bell.

  When the third round began, it seemed as if fate had conspired to validate ‘The Hitman’s’ bold words. In a no-nonsense mood, Russell marched across the ring and delivered a bruising lesson in the sweet science, dropping Ortiz for the final time. The referee quickly intervened, declaring the match over and awarding the knockout victory to ‘The Hitman’. After the final bell, Russell placed himself in the center of the ring and acknowledged the audience at all points in triumph while taking a dramatic solo bow.

  In the post-fight interview - with humility and respect, the 33-year-old Russell acknowledged the influence of Muhammad Ali, stating, "Ali was always an inspiration to me - but predicting a knockout and making it happen was just me setting high standards for myself and daring to be great. I felt strong and sharp, I feel like my old self again. I was at 100 per cent in this fight and that is not normal for me - I usually have some type of injury going into fights but this time everything was perfect.”

   

  

   

   The bout attracted attention from a broad spectrum of boxing fans. In Toronto, the Pickering Casino Resort Arena was sold out by the time Russell entered the ring. While in Jamaica the event also drew special attention by being broadcasted live which prompted a watch party in support of the boxer. “I want to say to the Jamaican people that I represented for them, wearing our colors on my gear and showing that a boxer straight out of yard, can make it to the top. I am Jamaican born and raised.”

  Russell is signed to United Boxing Promotions - ‘United’ boss Tyler Buxton added that he is “very pleased” with Russell’s performance - “he stole the show again!” “For sure he's a fan favorite here in Toronto after only three fights.”

  When asked what's next for Russell, Buxton stated that himself and ‘Team Hitman’ will sit down and discuss what's best for the boxer moving forward. Russell, a bit less conservative has hinted that he eagerly awaits a fight that will rank him amongst the top 10 in the world.

  The heavy hands of Ricardo ‘Big 12’ Brown, also delivered an impressive performance by knocking out his opponent in the first round.

  This win moves Brown, 33, of Spanish Town, Jamaica, already flawless knockout streak to 10 for 10. Additionally, the win positioned Brown as one of boxing's rising stars in the heavyweight division. With both Jamaican fighters showcasing their skills on the global stage, it's clear that Jamaica can once again become a force to be reckoned with in world boxing.

   

   

   

   

   

• Woman International Master Deborah Richards-Porter humbled to have WIM Lady's Tournament played in her honour in Kingston this weekend

  In a celebration of female prowess on the chessboard, the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston is set to host the WIM Deborah Richards-Porter Lady's Chess Tournament on December 2 and 3, 2023. This all-woman chess event, now in its 10th year, pays tribute to the legendary Deborah Richards Porter, a 10-time national champion and trailblazer in the world of chess.

  Richards-Porter said she is humbled that the event is being held in her honour.

  “So coming from a time when I was playing and there were hardly any females playing, to having a situation now where there are a lot more girls, it's very heartwarming to see Jamaica get to this point whereby we have this many females playing,” she told Sportsmax.TV.

  “And so to have worked tirelessly over the years to accomplish everything that's I’ve accomplished with the help of so many people to now have a tournament in my name it's a very humbling experience.”

  She expressed the aspiration that the tournament will help bring even more female players to the game.

  “I do hope that this sort of event will help empower females, not just those who are playing but also the parents, the moms, the dads, aunties of girls who want to go into sports or want to go into activities that are traditionally male oriented, to help to push and boost their daughters and to help to foster an idea or thinking their daughters, their nieces to know you are not limited because you're a female.

  “You can also do it. Whatever you want to achieve, you can achieve it because you don't put any limits on yourself. And so that's what I want this tournament to symbolize more than anything else.”

  Ian Wilkinson, Chairman of the Jamaica Chess Federation’s Women's Chess Committee, shed light on the significance of naming the tournament after Richards Porter. He emphasized the significance of honouring Richards Porters, stating, “She is a living legend, a real deal, who has achieved milestones that no other female player in the English-speaking Caribbean has accomplished. The tournament is a fitting tribute to recognize her outstanding contributions to the world of chess.”

  Richards Porter left an indelible mark on the chess world. Her remarkable career includes winning 10 consecutive Jamaica Women's Championships, setting a record that remains unmatched. Debunking stereotypes and breaking barriers, she emerged as the first female in the English-speaking Caribbean to attain the Woman International Master (WIM) title in chess.

  

   

  Wilkinson further delved into her achievements, stating, “In 2014, she won the woman sub-zonals event in Barbados. Her achievements include multiple Olympia representations and a Woman FIDE Master title. She has truly earned the status of a living legend, making her a real deal in the world of chess.”

  With over 50 players already registered, the tournament anticipates additional registrations before the fierce competition commences.

  Wilkinson expressed his enthusiasm for women's chess, stating, “I find the women's games more exciting than the men games. You've got 10 women's games; chances are you’re going to have the eight victories and two draws. The women's game is more exciting; there is this traditional bias against it. So, I took it upon myself to bring more attention to women's chess both locally and internationally.”

  The WIM Deborah Richards-Porter Lady's Tournament Tournament showcases various categories catering to a diverse range of players, including open sections for adult females, amateur players in different age groups, primary school, and prep school sections. The tournament features a rapid event on Saturday and an international online blitz event on Sunday, drawing interest from chess enthusiasts worldwide.

  Explaining the time controls for the rapid event, Wilkinson detailed, “Each player will have 15 minutes to finish the game and five increments of five seconds per move, making it hard to lose on time and contributing to better chess. The entry fee, inclusive of lunch, is 3500 Jamaican dollars, with the Federation subsidizing the cost.”

  Highlighting the international dimension of the tournament, Wilkinson shared, “The blitz event on Sunday has garnered interest from nearly 20 different countries, including Barbados, Grenada, the Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, and even countries as far away as Africa and Europe.”

  The blitz segment features games with a duration of five minutes and three-second increments per move.

   The sponsors for the event include lead sponsor General Accident Insurance Company, the Magnificent Chess Foundation, the Jamaica Olympic Association, the Sports Development Foundation, and support from the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is also backing the tournament, with hopes of having Minister Olivia Grange present at the opening ceremony.