'Boxing On The Waterfront' takes spotlight in MoBay

Adrian Frater, New Editor

Western Bureau:After being off the city's sporting radar for several years, top-flight boxing will return to Montego Bay tomorrow night when the scenic Pier One Complex plays host to what promises to be an exciting seven-fight card dubbed 'Boxing On The Waterfront'.

The event, which is being promoted by Robin and Tango Promotions, is sanctioned by the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control and will be headlined by national champion Ricardo 'The Surgeon' Smith, the winner of the recent Contender Series.

"We are on a mission to revitalise boxing in Montego Bay and this is just the beginning of things to come," said Ryan 'Tango' Prendergast, a member of the promotion team. "We are hoping that boxing fans will really turn out in large numbers to make this a memorable affair."

The fight featuring Smith, who is from western Jamaica, should be quite a classic affair as he will be trading punches with the hard-hitting Donovan 'Police' Campbell, one of the most highly respected pugilists in local boxing.

"I am really looking forward to this bout because it is not often that I get to fight here in the west," said Smith, who resides in Sheffield, Westmoreland. "Montego Bay is my backyard so I will definitely be aiming to give a good performance."

In the other professional bouts, Stetsi Davis will square off with the gutsy Glenroy 'Bumpy' Beckford, while the silky-smooth Sakima Mullings will lock horns with the dangerous Ian 'Hagler' Smith. There will also be four amateur bouts on the card.

major bout

Tomorrow night's fight card is expected to be the start of a regular series of cards, which Robin and Tango Promotions hopes will help to bring back boxing to Montego Bay in a big way.

"We are looking to stage a major bout every four to six months as we believe that is the way to help to revive the sport in the region," said Prendergast. "In the near future, we will be looking at bringing in overseas fighters to include some of the superstars of the sport."

In the 1980s, when the now- defunct Montego Bay Dragon Gym was in full swing, Montego Bay had some of the nation's finest young boxers, including the likes of former national champion Bruce Scott, who campaigned for several years on the international circuit.