Sakima Mullings started his bid to become a two-time Wray and Nephew Contender title holder on Wednesday when he fought off a brilliant challenge from Canadian William Matthews to take a unanimous decision and book an early place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

In five-rounds of non-stop action at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew, both boxers had the large crowd cheering wildly throughout the night and only the Matthews camp seemed to disagree with the unanimous decision of the judges. Judge Lindell Allen had it 48-47, while the other two judges, Jamaica’s Keith Brown and Canada’s Martin Dalida, had a 49-46 scoreline.

It was a very close encounter and every round was keenly contested. Matthews, who came into the fight with a record of one win and two draws, showed that sometimes records do not matter. He said, before the fight, “My record does not reflect my capabilities. I am here to fight and I will.”

True To Word

He kept his word. A south-paw with fast hands and good lateral movement, he used jabs to find his range and then attacked the body. Mullings was tentative in the early stages of the round and did not come to life until the final minute, but this gave him the edge and the votes of all three judges. Matthews won the second round with a good mix of power punching and defence, while Mullings took the third with superb body punching. Matthews satisfied one judge that he won the fourth round, which, again, was good for him, and the 48-47 score at the end accurately portrayed the closeness of the fight.

For Mullings, this was the first step in his stated mission – “to bring the Contender title back to Jamaica” – this because it was won by an American last year. He gave Matthews credit, but felt that he “was the better man” on Wednesday.

Matthews was dejected and both he and his camp believed that he had won.

“It was close, but William won,” said coach Jackie Armour. “He was up against a man with 22 fights. He fought brilliantly, and I hope that he can get a return some time in the future.”

The winner of the competition will take home the Contender title and $2 million, second prize is $500,000, third prize $250,000 and fourth prize $200,000.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170407/winning-start-impressive-mullings

 

Sakima Mullings started his bid to become a two-time Wray and Nephew Contender title holder last Wednesday, when he fought off a brilliant challenge from Canadian William Matthews, to take a unanimous decision and book himself an early place in the quarter finals of the competition.

Judge Lindell Allen had it 48-47, while the other two judges Jamaica’s Keith Brown and Canada’s Martin Dalida had a 49-46 scoreline.

It was a very close encounter and every round was keenly contested.

Matthews, who came into the fight with a record of one win and two draws, showed that sometimes records do not matter.

He said before the fight “My record does not reflect my capabilities, I am here to fight and I will” and he kept his word. For Mullings, this was the first step in his stated mission “to bring the Contender title back to Jamaica.”

This because it the series was won by an American last year.

“It was close, but William won,” said coach Jackie Armour.

“He was up against a man with 22 fights. He fought brilliantly, and I hope that he can get a return some time in the future.”

Source: http://jamaica-star.com/article/sports/20170407/mullings-books-early-contender-q-final-spot

Food For The Poor Jamaica Chairman Andrew Mahfood (2nd left) shakes hands with 100m World Championships gold medallist Yohan Blake (right) at the launch of the third annual Food For The Poor 5K Walk/Run at the Spanish Court Hotel on Tuesday. Also enjoying the occasion are executive director Food For The Poor-Jamaica David Mair (left) and marketing and communications manager of Rainforest Seafoods Limited Bethany Young. The event will take place on Saturday, May 13 in Kingston. Proceeds from the event will go to the construction of 100 homes for the nation’s poor. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/5K-inspiration_94911

The Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series returns to the Chinese Benevolent Association tonight for what is touted its most ambitious slate of boxers to be brought together for a “Best of the Best” showdown between Jamaican and Canadian boxers.

The Wray and Nephew Contender Boxing Series is geared toward promoting Jamaica’s growing boxing talent against comparable talent from beyond its shores.

The innovators and prime movers of the local boxing culture — the series executive producer Mark Kenny and the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control — have selected eight of the best available talent from amongst Jamaica’s most accomplished boxers to challenge eight Canadians of comparable skills. They will vie for the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender and a share of $3,000,000 prize money.

The eventual winner will pocket $2,000,000. The runner-up will earn $500,000; third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.

Sakima Mullings, the Contender winner three seasons ago, is the number one seed. He is set to open the Jamaican challenge against Winston “The Punisher” Matthews over five rounds tonight.

The first and second stages of the Contender ceries will be fought over five rounds; the semi-final stages over seven rounds; and the final scheduled for 10 rounds.

Fresh from a 12-round split decision loss in a title fight in Ghana some five weeks ago, Mullings promises to be at his fighting best.

“I am in the best shape of my boxing life. All I had to do to keep my fitness was not to take a break from my fight in Ghana, but to continue the training process. I will enter the ring at 154 lbs, fit and ready and one can expect all the things that one comes to know of Sakima Mullings in the ring. I will be fast, I will be strong, I am going to be pretty. I am going to hit hard and each time I enter the ring my objective is to win,” Mullings said.

The number one seed has a ring record of 22 fights with 19 wins against three defeats.

Not much is known about his opponent Matthews other than he has had three fights with one win by technical knockout and two draws. He is said to be a strong puncher with a ferocious right.

“When I enter the ring I am in there to win,” said Matthews.

Mullings is being prepared for his fights at present by trainer Gilbert Vaz and manager/advisor Willie Yap.

Jamaica’s other top four fighters include Richard Holmes, who reached the last two Contender finals, and is seeded at number two. He has a ring record of 18 fights with 12 wins and six defeats.

Tsetsi Davis, who has also reached two Contender finals, is the third seed with a ring record of 21 fights, 16 wins and five defeats.

Former Contender winner Devon Moncriffe is seeded fourth and has a ring record of 18 fights with 12 wins and six losses.

Team Jamaica will be completed by Ricardo Planter, who has a ring record of 16 fights with six wins, eight losses and two draws; Ramel Lewis, who has a ring record of 12 fights with seven wins and five defeats; Canada-based Gregory Miller, who had one fight with one loss; and the promising amateur Nico Yeyo, who will make his pro debut.

Phil Rose, with a ring record of 11 fights with six wins, four losses and a draw, will spearhead the Canadian challenge. Ryan Young, with a ring record of 11 fights with 10 wins and one draw, is seeded at two.

Ryan Wagner, with a ring record of 10 fights with six wins and four defeats, is the third seed and Frank Cotroni, who has a ring record of 20 fights with 11 wins, eight defeats and a draw, is seeded fourth.

Team Canada is completed by Larone White, undefeated with two wins; Mike Breton, with a ring record of two fights with one win and one loss; Dave Leblond, with one fight and one loss; and Winston Matthews.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/sport/Contender-Boxing-returns-with–Best-of-the-Best–edition_94676

Jamaica’s popular boxing series, the Wray & Nephew Contender, starts tonight at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium with a five-round contest between Jamaica’s Sakima Mullings and Canada’s William ‘The Punisher’ Matthews. Before the main bout, which will be televised live by Television Jamaica, at 9:30 p.m., there will be two amateur bouts, starting at 8:30 p.m.

The series brings together eight junior middleweight boxers (154 pounds) from Jamaica and eight rivals from Canada. There will be eight fights over five rounds each in the preliminary round, and four more over the same distance in the quarter finals to be followed by two semi-finals over seven rounds, and then the grand final, which will be over 10 rounds, with the winner being crowned Wray & Nephew 2017 junior-middleweight Contender champion. First prize money is $2,000,000, second prize is $500,000, third prize is $250,000 and fourth prize is $200,000.

In tonight’s encounter, the No. 1 seed Jamaican, Mullings, with a record of 19 wins, including 14 knockouts, and three losses, will be going up against a Canadian with only three fights, one win and two draws. He had a 10-1 amateur record, with most of those fights ending by knockout. On paper, this is clearly a mismatch, but the Canadians have said that their man will be up to the task and will give a good account of himself. Matthews has predicted that he will win tonight. The question is, whether this is fact or fiction.

A CONFIDENT MULLINGS

Mullings, who is 34 years old, is also confident of victory and has stated categorically that “the Contender title will be staying in Jamaica this year, and I will be the man doing it”.

He was referring in this statement to the fact that an American, Demarcus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley, won the welterweight version of the series last year. Mullings started boxing professionally in 2010, and his major achievements have been winning the World Boxing Council Caribbean welterweight title in 2013 and the Contender welterweight title in 2014.

This records point to Mullings being the winner, but “not so”, said Matthews and his camp to The Gleaner yesterday. Matthews and his head trainer, Jackie Armour, are very confident of victory. Matthews, who is 36 and has been boxing for only two years, said that boxing has saved his life and made him into a man.

“I was a mess three years ago, and following a friend to the gym one day changed me. I was fat and weighed over 180 pounds, but boxing changed all of that. l have trained hard and have made this sport my life. I now enjoy every day. I work hard, I do not drink anymore, I am dedicated.”

Matthews has a Jamaican father, who he says he has not seen for maybe more than 20 years.

“I am not interested in seeing him. I was, however, nurtured by my Jamaican grandparents, with whom I grew up, and they gave me my Jamaican heritage, of which I am proud. I am taking that into the ring with me on Wednesday. I am going to share my victory with Jamaica, even though I am fighting for Canada,” were his final words.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170405/mullings-spotlight-contender-2017-begins

For Immediate Release

Ellerslie Pen, St Catherine (March 22, 2017) – Unlike many 12-year-olds, Rafe Cochran, a resident of the United States, is on a mission to change the lives of hundreds of others.

Having lent his support to needy families and earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti, Cochran has set his sights on the Chester Primary and Infant School in St. Ann. In partnership with Food For The Poor-Jamaica, a new school will be constructed to house the pre-primary students.  

Cochran, one of the charity’s youngest donors, started committing funds to Food For The Poor when he was 9. Back then, he donated funds to build two homes for families in Ganthier, Haiti. He achieved this goal by asking donors to pledge money for shots he made at a golf tournament: $100 for pars, $200 for birdies and $250 for eagles.

At age 10 in 2015, he presented another cheque to the charity, which was used to build a home for a family in Thomazeau, Haiti. In 2016, he organized his first full-fledged golf tournament, the Rafe Cochran Golf Classic at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club in Florida, his home golf course. The event attracted more than 80 golfers and raised enough money to build six double-unit homes in Haiti.

In 2017, Cochran has decided to shift his focus to Jamaican students who are in need, starting with Chester Primary & Infant School.

“I am truly just honoured that I had the chance to come here and help the kids out. I am excited to be able to help the young ones to build a pre-primary school,” Cochran said in an interview during his visit to the school on March 15.

Cochran visited the school on the eve of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), offering words of encouragement to students.

“Seeing the school for myself, I realized just how needy they were. It was really fun just being with the kids, hearing what they have to say and just having fun with them,” Cochran said. “They told me their goals and I told them that they shouldn’t allow anyone to keep them down.”

Cochran was presented with the charity’s One For Change Award at a fundraising gala held March 3 in Palm Beach, Fla. The goal of this event was to raise funds to construct a school for Mason Hall Primary & Infant School in St. Mary.

David Mair, Executive Director of Food For The Poor-Jamaica, toured Chester Primary & Infant School alongsideCochran. Mair said the charity is pleased that Cochran chose Jamaica to benefit from his 2017 project.

“It was great to meet Rafe and his family and to have them here at Chester Primary & Infant School visiting with the students and staff. They have come here to see how they can help develop the educational system in Jamaica and we really appreciate this gesture,” Mair said. “Rafe is just 12 years old but he has such a dedicated heart to the poor and wanting to improve people’s lives.”

Cochran’s second annual golf course classic is set for April 22 in Florida.

-end-

 Prepared by PROComm

A historic face-off between Jamaica and Canada will provide spectacular action in the ring during the seventh staging of the Wray & Nephew Contender boxing series.

Sixteen professional boxers from Jamaica and Canada will vie for the top prize this season, which begins with live televised fights on Wednesday, April 5 at the home of the competition, the Chinese Benevolent Association of Jamaica in St Andrew, airing on

TVJ at 9:30 pm.

Season VII of the popular boxing series was launched on Tuesday, March 21 at J Wray & Nephew Limited’s football field, 234 Spanish Town Road in Kingston. There, the organisers announced Krystal Tomlinson as the new host for the competition and that boxers from Canada will compete against Jamaica, unlike last season when Jamaicans competed against boxers from the United States.

Local boxers Ramel Lewis, Richard Holmes, Devon Moncrieffe, Tsetsi Davis, Nico Yeyo, Sakima Mullings, Ricardo Planter and Gregory Miller will represent Jamaica.

Ryan Young, Frank Cotroni, Dave Leblond, Mike Breton, Larone Whyte, Phil Rose, Winston Matthews and Ryan Wagner will represent Team Canada.

Pietro Gramegna, marketing manager, J Wray & Nephew Limited, said that there are historical firsts to this year’s competition.

“Prior to the launch of the Wray & Nephew Contender, we made history by journeying to Colonel Cove in St Thomas, Island Village in St Ann, and Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth where we hosted three exciting Road to Contender pre-launch shows for the very first time. Traditionally, live fights were held only in Kingston, but we believed it was time to take the action to patrons in all three counties of Jamaica. All matches held outside of Kingston were successful and over $400,000 in cash and prizes were given to the boxers and patrons,” Gramegna said.

He added that Wray & Nephew is also creating history by partnering with another iconic Jamaican brand, Ting, for their ‘Wraytastic’ mixed drink offerings this season,

The opening fight for Season 7 – Best of the Best will feature 2014 Wray & Nephew Contender Champ, Sakima Mullings versus Canada’s Winston Mathews next Wednesday at 9:30 pm.

The winner of this season’s Wray & Nephew Contender will receive a cash prize of $2,000,000. While the runner-up will receive $500,000, the third-place winner will receive $250,000 and the fourth-place winner will receive $200,000.

Season seven’s matches will be held at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Wednesdays, airing live exclusively on

TVJ at 9:30 pm.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/Wray—Nephew-Contender-Season-VII-launched_94340