The Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) and title sponsor Wray & Nephew hosted a festive media briefing at Tracks & Records last Thursday night for the final Wray & Nephew Fight Night of the year and the first post-hurricane Melissa event.

They announced a loaded 10-card bout, which consists of three pro fights and seven amateur bouts, which will be held at the Constant Spring Football Field on Saturday, December 13.

All the boxers who attended the media briefing promised to put on a show to remember, led by pro-fighter Jermaine Bowen. He will take on Julio ‘Dom Rep Bomber’ Gurrerero of the Dominica Republic.

“He’s a good opponent. He’s a come-forward fighter, that’s why mi a go put him on the canvas come December the 13^th. Straight knockout fi him. Two place him can end up, flat pan him back or flat pan him face. Nowhere else,” said a very serious Bowen, of their light-heavyweight bout.

He encouraged the fans to “…come out, come see pure demolition at this fight. We just ah go in deh go destroy mi opponent completely, wreck him. Me ago make him experience Melissa ’cause he wasn’t here. So come December the 13th, pure destruction and fireworks.”

The other two pro bouts feature the unbeaten Juzier ‘Iron Man’ Heron vs Jonaury Moreta of the Dominica Republic (super welterweight), and debutante Daniel Hylton and Demar Haslam in a light heavyweight bout.

The president of the JBA Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones, was very happy about the return of the Fight Night for several reasons, including helping the boxers who had been affected by the hurricane.

“I personally never thought that we’d be having another fight card after Melissa, but the fact that everybody called for it and not only for the fight, but to use it as a platform to help build back, in terms of having an outlet for donations and the proceeds going towards the boxers.

“I think it carries a lot of weight and it’s gonna be a very big fight card, a very good fight card so it’s one that I think will end the year well,” said Jones.

Western-based coach Jasmine Graham was also happy for the return of the event. She spoke about the effect of the hurricane on the boxers in the region.

“Individually, it was traumatising because some of them, they actually lost their roof. Some don’t have clothes. Majority of them, they don’t have food but the gym is a safe haven for them.

“We’d text in the group at a particular time, and we would all link up on that day so that we could hear what they’re saying. A lot of them, they are mentally distraught, and I can realise that they are traumatised but like I said, we are resilient, and I try to let them know that there’s always a better tomorrow. Just put your best foot forward. Don’t think on things that you have lost, but try to rebuild from where you are at now,” said Graham.

Two amateur boxers from the Montego Bay Gym will be on the card.

President Jones announced that Elise Seignolle, president of the PamAm Boxing Confederation recommended Dr Andre McDonald to serve on the Medical and Anti-Doping Committee. He started serving recently but has been the ‘boxing’ doctor in Jamaica since 2009.

“It is very, very significant for Jamaica to be a member of the Pan American Boxing Medical and Anti-Doping Committee. (It) means that Jamaica is not only a member of, but aligns itself with the international standards that will allow the development of Jamaican boxing to the highest level, consistently,” Jones noted.

“It simply means that as a member of this committee, I have first hand, not only knowledge but planning and preparation for the future. So it simply means that Jamaica has a foot in before it happens and we know when and where it is going to happen so that we can position our boxing and boxers for the future,” he added.

Kerry Ann Bryan brand manager at Wray & Nephew was fully on board with the JBA’s push to assist the boxers in the West and the JBA partner YMCA (Sav-la-mar).

“So usually admission to fight nights, the Wray & Nephew Fight Night is free but this is a special edition right. We’re asking persons who are coming to bring their hurricane relief items. It could be canned foods, it could be solar lights, blankets, whatever you can bring,” Bryan explained.

“Also if you can’t bring hurricane relief items, you can bring $500 donation for general, and for the VIP area, it’s a $5,000 donation. It’s important to rebuild communities. I know some of the boxers were affected and it’s just important for Wray & Nephew to join forces with the Jamaica Boxing Board, to help rebuild and bring back life and sustenance to our boxers and just supporting their overall development in the sport for sure,” she added.

In addition to Wray & Nephew, several other sponsors are supporting the event. They include Doctor’s Cave Club in Montego Bay, Sandals Foundation, KFC, Knutsford Express, Ultra Medical Services, Good Life Water, Caledonia Outdoor Advertising along with partners Vere Events and the Kingston YNCA.