1 month ago
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FOLLOWING THE successful opening staging of the Wray and Nephew Fight Nights series at Ferdi Neita Park in Portmore over the weekend, Jamaica Boxing Association (JaBA) President Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones is eyeing future stagings in various communities across Jamaica.
The marquee boxing series made its return after a two-year hiatus this year and was seen as a major success by Jones and his association.
“The fights that took place, I think they delivered what we promised they would. And I think it was a good comeback for the Fight Nights, and I’m very encouraged about what we have to look forward to,’ he said.
Jones was pleased with the support the opening staging received from the Portmore community, which turned out in numbers to see the various bouts on the fight card.
“The energy came when the people came out to Ferdi Neita Park. The people from Portmore are very familiar with the venue; it is their ground, so for us to have boxing there, we were honoured to be able to do it.”
With their eyes now set on the second staging for the series, Jones said they will be looking to host the event within the various communities that have been involved in their ‘Gloves over Guns’ initiative.
Having already built a fan base for the sport in these communities, Jones believes this will allow for the Fight Nights series to grow with each staging.
The association is currently in discussion to have the next fight card held in the Olympic Gardens community.
“We want the next fight card to be in Olympic Gardens, at Cling Cling Oval. We’re rotating the communities that we’ve been in, that were a part of the Gloves over Guns communities,” he explained.
“We’re discussing with Olympic Gardens, and the conversations have been encouraged by what they have seen; but they want to make sure that when we come, the fight nights will have the most impact.
“We want to make sure the best boxers are there from the Futures event that we have monthly.”
Jones also explained that the association is aware of the demand that the Fight Nights series brings as its marquee event.
He said boxers across the island are ready to hone and display their talent in the ring, surrounded by the fans who have continued to turn out in support.
“All the boxers would like to take part in the Fight Nights series, because it is the premier platform that we have where so much is expended for it.
“All the coaches want to be a part of it; and all the gyms would like to be represented because of all the hype that comes around the Fight Nights series.”
English (US) ·