The United States Embassy in Jamaica sponsored the USA-based Humpy Dumpty Institute (HDI) that partnered with Fight for Peace and the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) to provide boxing training at three venues, namely Denham Town Community Centre, Portmore and Montego Bay between November 14 and 19.
The HDI brought along a trainer and two accomplished female boxers to demonstrate their skills and assist with the training sessions.
The first two-day session on Tuesday and Wednesday last week was held at the Denham Town Community Centre and was preceded by a short launch on Tuesday morning where the parties - the US Embassy, the HDI, Fight for Peace and the JBA highlighted the benefits to be derived from the sessions.
Acting Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy, Gabriel Hurst said, "The support that we have towards the programme is a clear example of our steadfast support to Jamaica's bright future. Our overall training objective is the development of a safer, stronger and more secure Jamaica. (I am) really looking forward to seeing the positive impact that it’s going to have."
Lennox Blackmoore of the HDI decided to bring the programme to Jamaica, "Because Jamaica has good athletes and so we decided to try Jamaica."
Blackmoore along with another trainer Timor Juhasz and the female boxers Ronica Jeffrey and Jenna Gaglioti began the training session with an intense exercise session with the group of aspiring male and female boxers who are part of the Fight for Peace Programme on the island. They were supported by a number of local trainers headed by accomplished local boxer Sakima Mullings.
Blackmoore, a former British Commonwealth champion is from Guyana where he won his country’s lightweight and light middleweight titles during the 1970s. He now operates out of the Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey was happy to share her knowledge with the young boxers. "We are here to teach the boys and the girls' defensive work and the skill of boxing. I think that boxing is such a great sport for young people. It directs them in a safe direction to relieve their anger or just to have something that can show them discipline."
For her part, Gaglioti believes that boxing “is a sport for your mental health, for your emotional health. It does have the kids stay off the streets, stay disciplined and that's what we want to teach the kids also."
Rasheed Evans who recently graduated from Mona High School welcomed the training sessions, adding that he likes the sport and plans to become a professional. "It has helped me to become a better person. It has helped me to motivate myself better. It has helped me to understand life and how it works," he said.
Mark Cole, the programme coordinator for Fight for Peace and who also works in a number of inner-city communities, using boxing and martial arts to guide young people to make better life decisions, detailed some of the components of the training.
"We will be doing biographies of some of the great boxers, walking them through some basic boxing techniques as well as have some advanced boxers do some advanced training, and exposing them to the different boxing styles and what it takes to become a professional boxer."
He believes the presence of the two female boxers will help to empower aspiring female boxers to help them take the sport seriously.
According to Stephen 'Bomber' Jones, president of the Jamaica Boxing Board, the sessions will help increase awareness about the sport across the island.
"We are grateful that this is happening. It's in line with what we have been pushing in terms of expanding the footprints of the sport. The boxing board is here to facilitate the programmes that we have in terms of what you see happening here through Fight for Peace.
“They are here to benefit from the two-day clinic and then we move to Fun Robics Gym in Portmore and then in Montego Bay where we have another national gym where Jasmine Graham will be leading the charge for the girls and boys there."
This boxing program is the third to be implemented by HDI. The first was held in the Dominican Republic in 2022 and the second one was with female boxers in the Palestinian territories in February of this year.
They were all done with the support of the US Embassy.
All set for exciting end to Women's Gold Cup qualifiers
The final window of the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifiers begins on Wednesday, as the race for spots to the 2024 Women's Gold Cup intensifies.
League A
By the end of the window next Tuesday, December 5, three teams will know if they have qualified for the Women's Gold Cup group stage and another six teams will be slotted for the Women's Gold Cup Prelims.
Mexico will get their first crack at winning Group A of League A on Friday at Puerto Rico with El Tricolor holding a two-point edge on the Boricuas. If Puerto Rico and Mexico draw, Mexico win the group and Puerto Rico would seal their place in the Prelims, as they currently sit three points ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, who close the window against Mexico on December 5.
Panama can win Group B in a Wednesday visit to Jamaica, as the Canaleras own a two-point advantage on Guatemala. However, should Panama drop points, it could open the way for Guatemala or Jamaica on Sunday to win the group. A Jamaica win against Panama could set the stage for a dramatic final matchday on Sunday, with all three teams alive for a first-place finish.
Haiti only require a draw at Costa Rica to clinch Group C of League A on Thursday. However, a Ticas win could make for an interesting final matchday in the group next Monday. Costa Rica host St Kitts and Nevis, but would need to win by a wide margin, with Haiti currently at plus-25 goal difference.
League B
The winners of the three League B groups will advance to the Women's Gold Cup Prelims versus the second-place group finishers from League A.
Guyana can win Group A of League B with victory over Dominica on Wednesday, provided Suriname drop points at Antigua and Barbuda. Should Guyana and Suriname win their first matches of the window, Guyana can clinch the group win and a Prelims spot with a draw in their final fixture against Antigua and Barbuda.
El Salvador have already punched their Prelims ticket as winners of Group B of League B, but in Group C, Bermuda and Dominican Republic are in a dogfight, with the former slightly ahead by a point.
On Friday, Bermuda host St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Dominican Republic head to Barbados. Should those two sides win, a final matchday clash between the Dominican Republic and Bermuda in Santo Domingo, would be a winner-take-all affair.
League C
A group win is there for the taking for three teams in League C. With a six-point cushion, Belize can win Group A with a draw at Bonaire on Thursday.
Cuba can clinch Group B should St Lucia fail to beat Guadeloupe on Friday. However, a St Lucia win, would set up a final day contest, with Cuba only needing a draw to win the group.
Grenada have already emerged as winners of Group C, but Curacao still have work to do in Group D. They have a two-point lead over Anguilla and face Anguilla on Thursday. A draw would be enough to win the group for Curacao.
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.
Real City, Basement advance to final of SFP Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side competition
Real City and Basement will contest the final of the 2023 SFP Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side competition after semi-final wins at the FESCO Field in Waterhouse over the weekend.
Sunday saw Real City secure their spot in the final with a 2-0 win over Lion Den thanks to goals from Nico McLeish and Hakeem Green.
Their opponents in the final will be Basement who beat Black Strikers 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a strike from Taywane Lynch.
The final takes place on Sunday, December 3 at 3:30pm.
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