The Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) and GC Foster College have joined forces for the growth and development of the sport of boxing in a structured way that will benefit both institutions.
They announced the partnership Tuesday at a ceremony that modeled a 10-round boxing event, in the boxing ring at GC Foster College boxing gym.
JBA President Stephen “Bomber” Jones entered the ring in the second round to deliver his remarks. He spoke about his association’s expectations of the partnership: “I think we can expect to change the game, the sport of boxing not just in Jamaica but in the Caribbean. GC Foster College speaks for itself. What they do for the community and the country, aligning themselves with an institution like that will only elevate our game, elevate our level in terms of the boxing that we have here, the trainers that we have access to, the officials that we have access to in terms of recruiting and having a hub that we can train from a national program, that we can invite international bodies to come and take courses here and take our sport to that level.
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“I think number one is key and then the fact that GC Foster has agreed to be the hub for Gloves Over Guns in Spanish Town where we can do sport for development and deal with the boys and girls here , make them part of the invitationals and get them into the mentorship program, I think it’s going to go a long way, so we’re very, very excited.
He said his association had already donated materials to the college as part of the arrangement and a new ring is on its way to Jamaica for the college.
Importantly, he announced that GC Foster’s gymnasium will receive National Gymnasium status as the third National Gymnasium and will be fully supported by the Board of Directors.
The third round saw GC Foster College principal Maurice Wilson enter the ring. He had a lot to say. “I am extremely excited for the GC Foster College community and surrounding areas – Spanish Town and even St Catherine. I think it was a business that was long overdue. I believe the benefits will replace the time we have been waiting for.
“We have seen where boxing would have changed the lives of so many young people and we mention today at the launch of Sonny Liston who had many problems with the law, became heavyweight champion and that somewhat aid. Mike Tyson, Cassius Clay later Mohamed Ali really stood against some things, however, they thought he was breaking the law, but boxing was able to guide him down a particular path.
Wilson spoke about the importance of partnership, “and so it is important for us because we are aware of some of the factors that young people face in Jamaica. We are sure that with the collaboration of the boxing council association, we will be able to give more opportunities to young people, we will give them options in terms of career, to become a professional boxer, we will engage them in their extracurricular activities which are done in a more targeted way and the fact that the boxing boards association provides relevant and current equipment will make things even easier.
Wilson expects the venture to succeed: “And the slogan, the mantra of the Jamaica Boxing Association is Gloves Over Guns and we want to continue to endorse that mantra. We also believe that if there is one institution in Jamaica that can provide the right foundation, the right support, that institution would be GC Foster. We are therefore extremely happy with the collaboration. GC Foster will benefit. Jamaica will benefit.
“The young people of this country will benefit and the economy as a whole can benefit because, as you know, successful professional boxers make a lot of money. We expect much success to come from this venture.
Jackie Cowan, first vice-president of the Jamaican Olympic Association, who represented President Christopher Samuda, and Denzil Wilks, chief executive of the Sports Development Foundation, spoke in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively, while giving their full support for the announcement and have pledged their support of the organizations.
Professional boxer Tsetsi Davis praised the partnership. He said it would lead to a better arrangement for college boxing. He also indicated that he plans to return to the ring as soon as the boxing board announces a fight card.
