Excitement continues to build for the last fight night of 2023 in the Wray & Nephew Fight Nights series, which will be held at Breezy Castle downtown, Kingston on Saturday.

Fight time is 7:00 pm.

Details of the fight card, which boasts six amateur bouts, including one female match-up and two professional fights, were revealed at a press briefing at Tracks & Records on Constant Spring Road, on Wednesday.

The card is dominated by Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) boxers - four in the amateur section and one professional boxer. 

Debutante Chevelle Davidson promised to give of his best.

"You can expect me to show all my boxing skills. All the things my coach has taught me during training for preparation for fight night," Davidson said.

Her bout will be the second female fight of the series, following the Shanika Gordon and Sherekee Moore bout in Ebony Vale, in October.

Professional boxer Jermain 'Breezy' Richards, who won his two previous fights in the series, promised another positive outcome.

"Just come out. Expect the best of Breezy because with each fight I evolve a bit and I grow more talented, so I have more work to put in because I know what's out there waiting for me or what is expected of me," Breezy shared.

Richards, who will battle Colombian Francisco Cordero, dedicated the fight to the memory of his brother, who recently passed away, and whose birthday would have been December 16, the day of the fight.

The night will close with the very popular local professional Ian 'Impact' Darby of the JDF, who predicted a second-round knockout in his favour. He is set to oppose the other Colombian Julio Feria Jose Augustine.

"The 'Impact' always presents a blast. I am just coming out to do a bomb wrecking for my fans. This time I am representing Jamaica at its flag itself. There is a message I need to send so the 'Impact' will be sending a serious message that listen 'no matter what the denomination, no matter the culture, no matter country you are from, the 'Impact', the Jamaica flag will be raising high," said Darby, who won his first professional fight on local soil when he bettered Fabian 'Truck' Tucker, in October.

Meanwhile, Stephen Bomber Jones, president of the JBA said that the fight night series has surpassed all expectations.

"It is a thrill to see, and a moment of pride for not just the boxing board, but the boxing fraternity and the fans themselves. Because the shows have been perfect right around in terms of the setup, in terms of the platforms the boxers are given, and in terms of the way Wray & Nephew has put their weight behind the production so that we can have first class events where the boxers feel that they can aspire to world class level boxing, and then the boxing itself has been improving each and every show," Jones noted.

Amateur matchups

Khamoi Barrett, JDF vs  Sanjae Hudson, Hybrid Athletics, MoBay (Heavyweight)

Chevon Gordon, Suga Olympic vs Kevon McKenzie, Hunter Gym, MoBay (Welterweight)

Daniel Williams, GC Foster vs Cayman Taffrel, Suga Olympic (Middleweight)

Delano McLaughin, JDF vs Kirk Patrick Keron, Port Antonio Boxing Club (Welterweight)

Garvan Garrison, JDF vs Mark Cunningham, Funrobics, Portmore (Lightweight)

Britney McFarlane, Stanley Couch vs Chevelle Davidson, JDF (Middleweight)

Professional matchups

Jermaine 'Breezy' Richards, I-Fight vs Francisco Cordero, Barranquilla, Colombia (Heavyweight)

Ian 'Impact' Darby, JDF vs Julio Feria Jose Augustine, Fundacion, Colombia (Cruiserweight)

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.

All is now set for the third edition of the Wray & Nephew Fight Night, and if the promise of the eight boxers on the card is anything to go by, then patrons will be in for a treat at the Ebony Vale Community Centre in Spanish Town on Saturday.

The main bout will see Jamaica Defence Force's Ian "Impact" Darby, in his first professional fight on local soil and he is brimming with confidence that his rival Fabian "Truck" Tucker will not last beyond the second round.

"The training level has been intense. We have a concept in the army that whatever task we are given, we must be prepared for it and so the Impact is well prepared. All thanks to my team, I am ready to come and showcase what I have been doing in my preparation for this fight. I am saying second round, knockout. The Impact is going to be victorious," he declared.

However, Tucker has other ideas.

"He is going to come under a lot of pressure because I am short, and he is tall, so I am going to stick on him the whole night. I will say maybe the third round (to knockout the opponent), definitely maybe the third round," said Tucker, who added that his preparation had gone well.

For the first time since its inception, there will be a female match-up in the series. National representative Sherikee Moore will face off with Shanika "G Girl" Gordon.

Gordon explained that she is fit and ready, especially with her army background.

"They (spectators) should come out and watch this fight card because I know I will do my best. I will provide proper technique and everything because I am doing what I love so I Know I will put in the work," she said.

Moore echoed similar sentiments.

"You can expect the best as always. I'll come out and do my best, show my styles and my techniques. As for my opponent, the only thing I expect her to have over me is the fitness. I do believe I still have the fitness as well, although she might have more fitness than I do, so it's not going to be challenging. I think I'll handle this, and I'll do my best."

Meanwhile, National coach Felipe Sanchez who is responsible for putting the fight card together, is very upbeat about the prospects.

"Something that is particularly interesting to me is that we have three of Jamaica's national boxers fighting other boxers. So here, we are going to see if they are still the sharpest or are there other sharper tools in the shed. So, this is going to be very interesting to see if they keep their crown or if we have new rising stars on our hands so that is something interesting to look out for because nobody wants to go back to their gym or hometown to say I lost and worst when it's on national television," the coach reasoned.

President of the Jamaica Boxing Association Stephen Bomber Jones lauded the partnership with Wray & Nephew in bringing back high-quality boxing on a consistent basis.

"It feels like our relationship is getting even stronger because it's not uncommon. Everybody understand that two of the bigger facets of Jamaica is our sports and our music and Wray & Nephew being committed and aligned with boxing for so many years not only makes sure that these shows get the production that is necessary, and the boxers get the platform, but they are now incorporating sport and music together by bringing an entertainment package at the end of each show and this Saturday we will have Capleton finishing off the festivities.

"So, the fireworks are going to be there early, from our amateur boxers to the pros, and the community and venue being such a beautiful venue, I think it's going to be a fantastic night of boxing, so I am looking forward to it," Jones noted.

Other boxers on the card are:

Amateurs

Kimarley Samuels vs Kevon Mckenzie

Calvin Mignott vs Shiaeine Blake

Sanji Williams (national boxer) vs Kirk Heron

Demar Haslam vs Delano McLaughlin

Jaden Eccleston vs Roberto William

Ackeem Allen vs Daniel Hylton (national boxer)

Professionals

Renaldo Beckford vs Cleveland Stevenson

Janathan Hason vs challenger to be announced

Having knocked the proverbial cobwebs from his fist, Jamaica’s Kevin “Bus Boy” Hylton is eagerly anticipating the remainder of the Jamaica Boxing Board (JBB)-sanctioned Wray and Nephew Fight Nights series, as he seeks to possibly end his career on a high.

The journeyman fighter, who was a prominent feature on the now defunct Contender Boxing Series, made a return to the ring for the second Fight Night stop in Arnett Gardens last Saturday, and certainly entertained the large crowd at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Hylton squared up with American Christopher Rodriguez in one of two professional bouts where he displayed improved tactical and technical skills, and surprisingly, took his opponent to the maximum six rounds.

In fact, it was Hylton that held the upper hand at one point, as he registered a knockdown mere seconds into the opening round, and maintained a steady rhythm throughout, though winded at the backend of the fight.

At the end of it, the judges scored the contest a stalemate, moving Hylton's record to seven wins, seven losses and two draws, while Rodriguez remains unbeaten at 12 wins and a draw.

While disappointed that he didn't came out tops, Hylton, now coached by another Contender veteran Ricardo "Surgeon" Smith, expressed pleasure with his performance, especially given the fact that he was given short notice of the fight.

“In my opinion, I won the fight because the knockdown is scored as 10, so I don’t see how it ended as a draw. But I am truly proud of myself for putting in a performance like that, especially because the fight was sudden for me," Hylton told SportsMax.tv. 

With the much-needed run now run now under his belt, Hylton, though reluctant to share his age, admits that he is career is now winding down, and, as such, wants to grasp every opportunity to go out with a bang.

The Wray and Nephew Fight Nights series which started on July 1, at Cling Cling Oval, will continue until 2024, with a pro-am night of boxing matches every six weeks. The next stop is yet to be decided on.

Professional boxers earn a purse starting at $US150 (about J$23,000) per round, with a complete match purse of US$600 (about J$93,000) per bout.

Hylton, who balances a work schedule and training, vowed to continue putting in the work to not only add entertainment value to the programme, but to prove that much has changed in terms of his patient and technique.

“So from here it will be just willpower and determination going forward because I am at an age now where I don’t have much time left in the sport. So I am just trying to make the most of this opportunity as best as I can. I am grabbing it with both hands and will be working even harder going into the next fight," he declared.

Meanwhile, American Rodriguez, who also believes he won the fight, is optimistic of a rematch with Hylton. 

“I think I won it because I was hitting him more, but he got the knockdown and I think that is what evened it out. But I think I landed more punches, and I added more pressure to the fight.

"But it is what it is, I just want to stay more focused and keep my hands up. It was a great learning experience and he was a tough Jamaican guy, so hopefully I can get a rematch, if not, then it is on to the next one," Rodriguez shared.

In the other professional fight, top-rated heavyweight boxer, Jermaine "Breezy" Richards took his record to 4-0, as he bettered debutant Omar ‘Crane’ Headman in a fourth-round technical knockout.

The 34-year-old Richards, who hails from Mountain View, has been a fast-rising sensation, who trains in Colombia where he has significantly improved his craft.

“It’s an elevation of self and talent. Being in Colombia showed me that sometimes you have to leave the nest and really spread your wings and the experiences I’ve had so far is testament to that," he noted.

The Amateur fights were nothing short of exciting, as Chevaun Gordon defeated Everton Levy of Trench Town, while Kevin Brown and Commonwealth Games representative Jerone Ennis, both of Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) Boxing Club, also topped their respective opponent unanimously.

Brown outclassed Kimarley Samuels of Suga Olympics and Ennis was a dominant force against GC Foster's Malcolm Peck.

D’mitri Moore of Hit Box Gym also displayed immense potential in his unanimous decision win over another GC Foster boxer, Daniel-Elijah Linton.

Pavel Smith, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Marketing Manager, stressed the significance of this initiative in creating a platform that allows amateur and professional fighters to compete regularly without needing to travel overseas for opportunities.

"Jamaica has a love affair with boxing and Wray & Nephew remains a bedrock in the advancement of the sport in Jamaica. We noted great support for the boxers at the last event, we reviewed that outing and have made some adjustments to enhance the experience for patrons," Smith said.

"This series gives our talented boxers more opportunities to increase their visibility and fight counts that will, in turn, make them contenders for larger global opportunities," he added.

It took Juezier Heron quite a while to get serious about boxing, but since he made the conscious decision to make the sport the centerpiece of his life, “Iron Man” as he is known, has been dedicated to becoming the best, not only in Jamaica, but the world.

Heron made a successful professional debut at the recently held Wray & Nephew Fight Nights at the Cling Cling Oval in Olympic Gardens and the sweet taste of victory has left him yearning for more. 

Boxing has always been a part of his life as his father was a boxer before him. Despite growing up in the sport the 24-year-old stayed away from pursuing it as a career until he was 20 years old. 

“My dad taught me here and there since I was 5. However, I never took it seriously enough and officially picked it up until 2019,” he revealed. 

“I always felt a calling towards boxing to begin with, especially since I saw The Wray & Nephew Contender as a child.” 

Challenged by his uncle to find a purpose for his life, Heron decided that he wanted to become a professional boxer and he was then introduced to Rikardo Smith who became his first mentor in the fighting game. 

“Although he is not my current coach, he did inspire me regarding resilience. Seeing him and the way how he became the first winner of The Wray and Nephew Contender by defeating someone who no one expected him to defeat was heavily inspiring.” 

“He showed me through example that I have to put myself through hell since I have vowed to reach the top and that I must surpass him at his prime to become the Undisputed World Champion.” 

Heron works at Pure National Ice Company and enjoys the support from his “work family”. 

“When they know I'm fighting, who can't make it to the match tunes in to TVJ.” 

He has excelled in his short boxing career and has learned very valuable lessons along the way. 

“I won the 2020 Novice Amateur Lightweight Championship, fought many exhibitions, made a name for myself in my communities before I went professional in boxing, and I have continued to hone my skills. Boxing is a sport where comfort can kill you literally if you let it.” 

But Heron was using his innate boxing skills very early in life, even though for the wrong reasons. 

A victim of bullying which began in primary school due to a speaking disability (lisp), he would use his fighting skills to get them off his back. 

“The boys made the most fuss about it and whenever they attempted to get physical since I would follow the adults’ advice and ignore them most times, I would be forced to use what my dad taught me to overcome the bullies.” 

Things changed for the better for Heron when he met Jevoy Prince while at DeCarteret College. 

“I met my big brother Jevoy (not related by blood) who taught me a lot more about life and how to talk a lot more clearly. 

“I went on a journey of self-improvement and part of my self-improvement was to learn how to stop being a bully magnet. My big brother (Jevoy) always supported me and gave advice that usually helped me well. My Dad helped too,” he explained. 

Philosophical in thought and dedicated in approach, Heron is preparing himself both physically and mentally for what it will take to become a boxing world champion. 

“Boxing has brought me different teachers over time. With each, I have learned something different that translates to real life.  Boxing has taught and reminded me about resilience mostly. Sometimes when things seem the toughest, that's the best moment to surpass your limits and keep going forward and onward towards what and who you want. 

The welterweight had expected a tougher fight from his opponent on debut but showed him some amount of respect, nonetheless. 

“Honestly, with how hard I trained for my professional debut, I never expected the fight to be that easy. I felt like a tiger playing with a mouse. He did well, at least attempting to bite back, though I felt nothing, but I can still respect the attempts,” he said. 

Heron is not resting on his laurels after one win and is preparing for his next fight in the Wray & Nephew Fight Nights series with total conviction. 

The Wray & Nephew Fight Nights series which began last month, is set to whet the appetites of boxing fans all the way into 2024.

“A paradigm shift for boxing in Jamaica,” is how Jamaica Boxing Board President, Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones described the country’s newest platform for boxers to show off their skills, Wray & Nephew Fight Nights.

“These are exciting times. I think the events will speak for themselves in terms of how we shift the paradigm of boxing in Jamaica going forward,” Jones said at the launch of the event on Wednesday.

“I want to thank Wray & Nephew. They bought into the vision of the Boxing board when our mandate was to expand the footprint of the sport island wide and now, that we’ve got to another level and with the mandate changing to expanding the footprint globally, they didn’t miss a beat,” he added.

The idea, according to Jones, is to have a Pro Am card at least eight times a year with at least six amateur bouts and two professional fights.

The first card will take place at the Kling Kling Oval in Olympic Gardens on July 1 and will be headlined by a pro fight between Jermaine ‘Breezy’ Richards and Omar ‘Crane’ Edmund. The night will also feature seven amateur bouts.

“Breezy who is the main event is a 2-0 fighter and the idea is, if he wins on July 1, that, by next year this time with his proper management and his promoter, you’d have watched him get to at least 9-0 and where there’s a Breezy, we have many more boxers,” Jones said.

“Where it is that we were turning boxers into world champions once every decade, the idea is now to be always having, year after year, talented Jamaican boxers with an opportunity to get a title fight,” he added.

Jones says he wants to use this platform to help Jamaica produce home-grown world champions in the sport.

“It’s common knowledge that for decades, Jamaica has been producing world champions from all different categories and weight classes. People like Mike McCallum, Trevor Berbick and Nicholas ‘Axeman’ Walters to name a few. What those boxers have in common was that they all had to chart their career overseas. This Wray & Nephew Fight Night series is about to change that,” said Jones.

“This is about putting our local boxers on the face of international boxing,” said Wray & Nephew Marketing Manager, Pavel Smith.

“You don’t have to now go overseas to develop your career. You can stay right here, train at the local gyms and have an opportunity to build your professional career and have your title fights here in Jamaica,” he added.