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Contender finale for 'Spring'

Published:Tuesday | April 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
TVJ's general manager, Kay Osbourne (second right), appears to be the centre of attention as she is circled by (from left) William Tavares-Finson, president, Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC), first vice-president Stephen Jones, Christopher Ramson, assistant general manager, Foska Oats and Dominic Beckford, brand sales manager, J. Wray and Nephew Limited at the press conference to announce details of the popular J. Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series finale at Wray and Nephew yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Leroy Brown, Gleaner Writer

Apart from calling it "a terrific sporting event", the Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series is seen by Kay Osbourne, the general manager of Television Jamaica (TvJ), as "a case study in the value of collaboration".

Osbourne made those remarks yesterday as the grand finale of the Contender boxing series on Wednesday, April 27 was launched at the headquarters of J. Wray and Nephew Ltd., the title sponsors.

Expressing her pleasure at being associated with the sporting event, Osbourne said that the series had been a tremendous success because the various partners - ranging from the promoters MJK Productions, the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control, the fighters, sponsors J. Wray and Nephew, Foska Oats, Claro and TvJ, the public and the media - had all joined hands in making the event a memorable sporting spectacle for Jamaica. This, she said, is a model as to how one can do something successfully in Jamaica.

final match

The final on April 27 will be between Rikardo Smith and Devon Moncrieffe over 10 rounds at the Constant Spring football field.

The promoters have assured the public that the venue will be transformed for the event and that they will be well taken care of. Everything will be in place for a memorable night, said Mark Kenny of MJK Productions, and after boxing there will be an attractive entertainment package.

There will also be two supporting bouts on the programme, over six rounds each. The first will be a return fight between Ian 'Hagler' Smith and Kevin Hylton and another battle between two other losing contenders, Ricardo Planter and Anthony Osbourne.

Smith was disqualified in his fight with Hylton after he slammed him to the canvas, wrestling style. Showing remorse for his action, he said yesterday that he was happy that he had been given a chance to redeem himself and show that he can beat Hylton.

Both main-bout contestants expressed confidence going into the main event and the word from both camps was "may the best man win".

Other speakers at the launch were Dominic Beckford from J. Wray and Nephew, Mark Kenny, head of MJK Productions, William Tavares-Finson president of the Boxing Board, Latoy Williams from Claro and Christopher Ramson from Foska Oats.