Jamaica’s boxers exacted some measure of revenge on the weekend when they won five of six bouts against Panama on the Jamaica Boxing Board's Gloves over Guns fight card in Montego Bay.
Panama won their three international bouts against the hosts when the two countries last met in April 2019.
The highlight of the night was the match-up between national featherweight champion boxer Sanji Williams and Jose Mejia.
Before anyone could settle in their seats Williams had Mejia on the canvas one-minute six seconds of the first round.
“I feel good about this fight ‘cause I worked hard for it,” said Williams who now turns his focus on the Olympic qualifiers in Argentina later this year. “I am 100 per cent proud of myself."
Another Olympic hopeful, Trevor Thonson defeated Ewardo Beckford by unanimous decision after three brutal rounds.
"When he turned southpaw it kind of trick me a little because I thought he was orthodox but I am experienced so I know how to deal with his stance in that position,” said Thonson, who said the bout will help with his development.
"It did because it was my first. It helped me prepare for the Cuban who is the number one in my division right now. I can't let these guys come to Jamaica and get a 'W' in my home country."
Jonathan Hanson was the most experienced boxer on the card with 60 wins and 18 losses. For Saturday’s fight, he stepped up to light heavyweight and won his 61st with a split decision over Alberto Peralta.
"It wasn't easy. No matter how hard I hit the opponent I see that because of the weight difference he could take my punches so it's more experience than tactical,” said Hanson who floored Peralta twice in the third round.
“That fight was won on pure talent so it wasn't really power or anything like that. I had to out-box him ‘cause he had the size, he had the reach, he had the power so it was just me just using my boxing skills to the best of my abilities."
Earlier, Jarret Palmer defeated Leonidas Cuevas by split decision.
Arnold Anderson lost to Juan Jiminez and was the only Jamaican to lose on the night.
Daniel Hylton then managed a split decision win over Moises Rodriquez.
Jamaica’s head coach Gilbert Vaz pleased with the outcome.
“We have been preparing for this. This time we are well prepared,” he said.
“It won't happen again where Panama would just run right over us. Our boxers are very experienced except the youth boxers. Actually, I used this as a tune-up for the (Olympic) qualifiers and it is a good experience for them.”
He made special mention of Williams and Thonson.
"Sanji Williams was just excellent. He just went in there and just stopped the guy; made his fight very short. Trevor was excellent because he was up against a very tough guy but he stood there, put out all his skills and everything he learned in training and he came out as the winner," Vaz said.