Boxing Shines On The Waterfront

Dateline: January 17, 2010

Pier One in Montego Bay played host to what will hopefully be the first in a series of Pro-Am boxing cards in the second city. The much anticipated event was set to showcase some of the more promising amateur talent and see the professional debut of welterweight boxer, Sakima Mullings. Many trekked from far-flung parts of the island such as Old Harbour and Kingston to witness the spectacle.

The light rain that threatened to prevail all afternoon long was not enough to dampen the spirit of the boxers or to lessen the enthusiasm of the spectators and the event saw a decent turnout before the night was through.

Emcee Peta-Gaye King did well during the night and tried to educate herself and the audience about various boxing terms as she went along. Guests of note at the event were former Cruiserweight title holder, Lloyd ‘Jabba’ Bryan, current WBA Featherweight Champion Nicholas Walters, and the Mayor of Montego Bay, Charles Sinclair Sr.

The first bout was between Featherweights Shaquille Linton of the Stanley Couch Gym and Oshane Creary of the Heavy Metal Gym. The action began immediately and seemed to surprise some as one patron was heard shouting, “Wait. A good boxing a gwaan!” The audience participation was exceptional with encouragements being shouted left and right.

The excitement reached fever pitch with whistling and cat calling as the ring girls emerged in ‘barely-there’ bathing suits. Pro boxer, Nicholas Walters, was granted the enviable honour of escorting the ladies into and out of the ring and seemed to tackle his task with great fervour and anticipation.

Oshane Creary was declared the first winner of the evening and the medals were presented by Mayor Sinclair.

Bout #2 saw Welterweights, Kenardo Brown of the Heavy Metal Gym fighting Michael Gardner of the Bruising Gym. Four exciting rounds followed with each boxer getting the sweat knocked off them as the audience shouted their support. “Wake him up!” Bruising’s Gardner was declared the deserving winner and the medals were presented by Clement Creary of Creary’s Supermarket.

The third bout was a Light Welterweight contest between Adrian Matthews of Stanley Couch Gym and Kevin Hylton of Hard Knocks Gym. Like the two previous bouts, the boxers delivered the now expected excitement and there were anxious moments for both corners as both boxers suffered knockdowns. The nerves even extended outside the ring as one audience member could be heard shouting: “Mi money deh pon yuh red. Doan lose!” Adrian Matthews was adjudged the winner and the medals were presented by Robin Russell of Pier One.

The next amateur bout was indeed the fight of the night with hometown favourite Cleon Phillips of Job Walters Gym going up against Fana Walker of the Stanley Couch Gym. Both boxers showed tremendous determination and the audience was thrilled to see the young gladiators rise to the challenge. Fana Walker was declared the winner and the medals were presented by Senator Dennis Meadows.

The final amateur bout was between another hometown favourite Oraine Walters of Job Walters Gym and Ramel Lewis of Hard Knocks Gym. This was one of the notable bouts of the night with the excitement beginning from the bell in the first round. The encouragements were entertaining as usual with shouts of “Him look tired! Sen’ him home!” Both boxers were determined and strong and it really was anyone’s fight. The close result saw Lewis edging out Walters to be declared the winner. The medals were presented by Robert Russell.

The media, who had turned out ready to bring the excitement to their viewers and readers, had secured their chosen perches on the VIP piazza. They spent the ensuing break interviewing Pro Welterweight prospect Sakima Mullings who suffered disappointment as his intended opponent for one of the two pro fights on the card, Glenroy ‘Bumpy’ Beckford, was a no-show.

A collection was taken up to benefit the relief effort in Haiti and the full amount donated by the audience was matched by Pier One.

The last bout of the night was between Super Middleweights Anthony Osbourne of Old Harbour and Lloyd Smith of Hard Knocks Gym. The fight started out promising excitement for the six rounds but instead ended prematurely when Smith began to experience chest discomfort and had to withdraw. Osbourne’s disappointment was palpable and, this being the last bout, the affair left an unpleasant memory in the minds of the audience.

But, despite the two disappointments of the night, everyone felt that the night was a success in terms of delivering excitement. Pier One on the Waterfront is to be congratulated as they went all out to ensure a great experience for all with able host, Robin Russell, shepherding his troops throughout the night. We all look forward to future cards.

Contributor: Sandra Lloyd