Tevoy Barrett has big boxing dreams, and he intends to use what was once considered a problem to his advantage to immortalise himself in Jamaica.

Barrett made his Wray & Nephew Fight Nights debut recently at the latest edition held at the Portmore Sports Complex in St Catherine.

Barrett, who fought for Sugar Olympic Gym in the Middleweight category, defeated Kirk-Patrick Heron of Port Antonio Gym in his ‘Fight Nights’ debut.

Barrett began his boxing journey in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago as an 18-year-old after migrating to be with his mother as a 15-year-old. But even before he was formally introduced to the sport, Barrett was already fighting.

As a youngster, Tevoy had a troublesome skin condition, and throughout his school life at the primary and high school levels, he was teased and bullied about it. His response was to fight!

“Growing up in Manchester, I used to be in a lot of fights, so I found something to channel the aggression, and I fell in love with boxing,” he explained. “My mom was living in Trinidad and I left Jamaica at 15. I saw a way that I could do boxing over there, so I did it. I got started in boxing at the age of 18 in Trinidad and Tobago where I began competing. I won novice champion and Caribbean Championship a year later.”

Barrett’s boxing career began in modest circumstances in Trinidad, something that has helped him to appreciate the opportunities that he has subsequently received.

“My first boxing experience was at a house, and our training facility wasn’t very elaborate, but Wendel Jocoo and I trained hard and pressed forward. Locally, I grew up watching Sakima Mullings, who always fought well. My international idols are Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali,” he disclosed.

His last competition before the Fight Nights was the Olympic qualifiers for the Paris Games in 2024.

“The Olympic qualifiers were like a dream come true. Getting to go out there and compete is always something that I wish to do. It was pretty hard, the JBA wasn’t able to support us in the way we would like. It was short notice to go to Thailand, so I lost in the first round and didn’t make it to the Olympic Games.

“My ultimate boxing dream is to have a career in the sport. I want to be an Olympic Champion for Jamaica and then become a professional and become a world champion,” the soft-spoken big man explained.

Felipe Sanchez, who manages Barrett, is quite impressed with the attitude of his charge.
 “When I think of Tevoy Barrett, I think of dedication, discipline and the Olympic dream. He saw the possibility of making the Jamaican team, and he came to the national championships and won in January of 2024, and left everything behind in Trinidad to pursue his dream of b oxing.”

Sanchez believed that the efforts to qualify for the Olympic Games were more than commendable, based on the circumstances.

“It was quite amazing to make the journey all the way to Thailand to the last Olympic qualifier, but more than anything, the resilience shown with a team of 2 boxers and one coach and having to face very big and strong teams. In this case, he fought Palestine. We lost by a few points, which shows that we are little, but we are tallawah.”

Barrett, who is expecting his first child in November, hopes to be celebrating the next night he fights in the series, as it will be a hometown affair for him. “The next fight will be at Cling Cling Oval in my hometown, so I am definitely looking forward to representing my community very well,” he expressed.

Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Brand Manager, Kerry-Ann Bryan, said Barrett’s story mirrors the spirit of the Fight Nights series.
 “Wray & Nephew Fight Nights is about more than boxing, it’s about resilience, passion, and giving young athletes a platform to shine. Tevoy’s journey, from overcoming challenges to chasing his Olympic and professional dreams, embodies what this series is all about, and we’re proud to stand behind him and the wider boxing community.”

The next Wray & Nephew Fight Nights will be held on September 27 at Cling Cling Oval in Olympic Gardens.