The PanAm Boxing Confederation is committed to helping Jamaica once again produce world boxing champions, according to President Elise Seignolle, who outlined the Confederation’s vision during a press conference at the Jamaica Olympic Association headquarters in Kingston on Monday morning.
Responding to questions from Sportsmax.TV, Seignolle, who is on a five-day visit to the island, emphasized that reigniting Jamaica’s success on the global boxing stage would require a holistic approach — one that goes beyond financial support to strengthening the full foundation of the sport.
“We have a wealth of talent and a wealth of potential throughout the continent, but sometimes these potentials get overlooked," Seignolle explained. "It’s not just about money — it’s about education, bridging gaps, and increasing representation for National Federations that do not have as much support today."
Seignolle noted that the PanAm Boxing Confederation, whose newly energized executive team took office on March 15, is focused on strengthening the sport's three essential pillars: athletes, coaches, and officials. She said all three must be developed together for a sustainable resurgence in the sport.
"The idea is to support education for officials, education for coaches, and support for athletes through increased competition opportunities," she said. "Boxing may not be a team sport, but you need opponents to dance with in the ring. Without regular competition, boxers cannot sharpen the tools they need to succeed."
Seignolle praised Jamaica’s efforts to create more competition opportunities, referencing the recent Gloves Over Guns Futures Fight Night at the Stanley Couch Gym in Kingston, where fighters from Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom squared off.
"Those types of events are exactly what young boxers need to develop and bring them to the next level," she said.
At a broader level, Seignolle revealed that the Confederation is working towards establishing a Caribbean Championship later this year, designed to give boxers across the region more accessible competition opportunities without the logistical and financial challenges of travelling to distant World Championships or Olympic qualifiers.
“We know how hard it is to get to places like India for a World Championship,” she said. “The Caribbean Championship would allow National Federations across the region to provide critical competition experience much closer to home.”
Addressing the importance of consistency, Seignolle acknowledged that while continental events cannot be staged frequently enough to fully meet the need, the Confederation is actively encouraging bilateral exchanges and partnerships between national clubs and federations.
“It’s not just about confrontation; it’s about fostering a culture where we work together," she said. "It could mean teams from the U.S. coming to Jamaica, or boxers from Panama coming to Jamaica to compete. Creating these frequent exchange opportunities will be essential.”
Seignolle’s remarks echoed a broader message of partnership and long-term vision, as she urged Jamaica and its regional neighbours to work strategically to build the next generation of champions.
With Jamaica’s storied boxing history — producing world-class talents like Mike McCallum, Trevor Berbick, Simon Brown, and Nicholas Walters — Seignolle said the foundation is already there. With the right investments in athletes, coaching, officiating, and competition, she believes Jamaica can once again rise to global prominence in the ring.
Main photo caption: Seignolle in conversation of Jamaica Boxing Association General Secretary Leroy Brown (right) and President Stephen Jones during a press conference at the Jamaica Olympic Association's headquarters in Kingston on Monday. At left are JOA President Christoper Samuda and Vice President Jackie Cowan.