Yellow's Boland hails series

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Andrew Boland, coach of the 'Yellow Team' of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC)-sanctioned J. Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series, says he is happy that such a series exists as it has raised the interest level in boxing locally.

According to Boland, whose team trails the 'Green Team' in the competition, since the start of the competition a lot of persons have been talking about the sport, which in the past was struggling for public attention. The Contender series is aired weekly on local television.

"The series is having a field day now and I am happy as boxing really needed it," he said.

"Thank God, Mark Kenny and his team came in, as along with Wray and Nephew, Claro and TVJ, they have saved the day. It helps and motivates us and makes us want to do more.

"Boxing was always exciting. It's just a lack of funds that was holding us back. However, these guys along with JBBC President William Tavares-Finson and executive, Stephen Jones, worked hard to make the series a reality," he added.

Controversy

The series, which will in the end produce Jamaica's next middleweight champion, has also come in for its share of controversy with a couple of bouts being close, and the winners being decided on split decisions.

This has not gone down well with a lot of spectators and viewers, who have at times referred to the scoring system as a fraud.

However, according to Boland, he is not too concerned about the reactions as this is typical of boxing fans.

"The controversy makes it more interesting. In fact, it is all a part of the sport. It's sometimes hard to accept, but we have to eventually roll with the punches," he said.

Scoring misunderstanding

Boland's assistant, Kingsley Fagan, who is also a former boxer and an INSPORTS certified boxing coach, also shares similar sentiments.

"Boxing can be a controversial sport, and it's showing up its ugly head," said Fagan.

"But having said that, some fans do not understand the rules of the competition, and how the judges score the fights and that is one of the reasons for some of the controversy.

Fagan also said he hoped it will result in a new generation of young men moving into the sport.

"We need to take advantage of the moment and get children into the game by introducing the sport in high schools," he said.

"Additionally, it would be good if more sponsors could come along into the sport so that overtime we can, for example, have a gym in every town."