Three Canada-based boxers confirmed for National Champs

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Three boxers from Canada and perhaps two from the United Kingdom are expected to compete in the Jamaica Boxing Board's National Championships set for December 8-10 at the Stanley Couch Gym.

The first order of business for the boxers - all eligible to represent the island - will be to gain selection to represent Jamaica at the Olympic qualifiers in Brazil next May.

Outstanding boxers from about four weight divisions could be selected for those qualifiers, JBBC president Stephen Jones told The Gleaner.

There was word earlier this year that changes were coming to the format of the national cham-pionships but, according to Jones, those changes have more to do with dealing with the numbers of boxers expected to turn out.

"The only change is that we're going to be having the championships over three days," he said, revealing that more than 90 boxers from 10 clubs islandwide are expected to compete. Entries will close on Tuesday, he said, even though they were still coming in.

"We actually have some boxers coming in from overseas, coming down with the Canadian Olympic coach. They are of Jamaican descent and very talented, and they'd like to get the opportunity to represent us at the international level," Jones said. "I'm looking for anybody who can help us get to that Olympic stage because I am not writing off 2012 yet, so this is important to us."

Foreign guests

Among the visitors will be 23-year-old André Stewart who fights at 81kgs. Stewart, who has 75 fights under his belt, is the current Ontario Provincial champion. He will be here along with Aljermaine Burnett, a 25-year-old slugger with 34 fights. Burnett was the silver medallist at the 2010 Ringside World Championships held in Kansas City in the United States. He was also the 2010 75kg silver medallist at the Canadian Nationals.

Twenty-year-old Jhevani Dixon fights at 75kg and has fought 38 bouts during which he won the Provincial championships, as well as the bronze medal at the Canadian Championships in 2010.

The Canadian contingent trains under Dewith Frazer, who represented Jamaica at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California, and was twice Olympic national coach in Canada (1996 and 2000).

So far, Craig Edwards (74kg) from the Lynn Boxing Club in London has also confirmed participation, while the other boxer is yet to confirm.

Notwithstanding participation from the overseas-based boxers, Jones said he would also love to see local talent rise to the top.

"Our local gyms are full and I am actually hoping that people - not that I am picking favourites - like Michael Gardner (of the Bruising Gym) do big things because I'd really love to have locals represent us overseas as well. We're not just looking to people because they come from 'foreign'. If the overseas boxers are heads and shoulders above us, then we'll just have to put our best foot forward, but I'd love to see our best against what we know to be good overseas," he said.

Entry is free to the championships.