The final three bouts for the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series — Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender title — begins with the first of two semi-final bouts between old foes, former champion Sakima Mullings and perennial challenger Tsetsi Davis at the Mico College Auditorium today at 8:30 pm.

The Mullings-Davis clash going seven rounds headlines a three-fight pro-am under card that will provide action for up to 15 rounds.

To the quarter-final stages each fight was contested over five rounds, with the final for the Jamaica Junior Middleweight Contender crown and the major share of $3,000,000 set for a 10-round showdown.

The under card pro fight will feature Devon Moncriffe of Jamaica against Winston Mathews of Canada over five rounds.

Both Matthews and and Moncriffe lost narrowly in their opening fights of the Contender Series — Matthews to Mullings and Moncriffe to Phil Rose.

Meanwhile, the third fight on the card, which is an amateur lightweight skit over three rounds, is between Patrick Sahadeo of the Jamaica Defence Force and an unnamed Canadian who was yet to be confirmed up to press time.

It is a battle between the natural welterweight (Mullings) and the natural middleweight (Davis). At the weigh-in, both fighters looked keen to the tee, with Davis weighing in at 153 ½lb and giving the impression that he wanted to jump out of his skin. Yet, his trainer Wayne Sharp took umbrage against the quick return to the ring of his boxer: “Only one week between fights? That was not enough time for my boxer to fully recuperate from his last fight going five rounds. He should be fighting in the next semi-final instead.

“But”, he went on, “Tsetsi has trained well and will be just as effective in this fight as he was in his last encounter against Ryan Young, even though we had to cut our training schedule to fit into the time allotted to be ready again.”

Davis, who lost to Mullings in the 2014 Contender final, did not have much to say. But he promised “a memorable showing.

“I cannot say anything on how this fight will end. I would rather talk inside the ring and not outside. One thing I am sure of, I have work to do, so I’ve trained hard to work and get a good result. If my best is good enough then so be it. If not, then, I have still done my best.”

Mullings promised “I am supremely confident of a high performance. Davis had added different elements to his game and I am expecting another good performance from him. But I have high expectations for myself. We have trained well with high anticipation for whatever he (Davis) brings to the table. He is a strong and capable fighter, but we are supremely confident to meet those different elements he has acquired head on.”

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/davis-mullings-battle-for-place-in-contender-series-finale_103970?profile=1511

Sakima Mullings and Tsetsi Davis, the first and third-seeded Jamaicans in the 2017 Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series, both predicted victory yesterday, as they ended preparations for their semi-final contest, which will take place tonight on the grounds of Mico University College, Marescaux Road.

Mullings is a previous winner of the series, having taken the welterweight title in 2014, when Davis retired in the seventh round of their 10-round contest. Tonight’s action will start at 8.30p.m. with two amateur bouts, followed by a five-round contest between two previous participants in the competition, Devon ‘Concrete’ Moncriffe from Jamaica and Canada’s Winston Matthews. The seven-round semi-final battle, in the junior middleweight class, will follow.

Brimming With Confidence

Leading up to the fight, Mullings has been very confident, and has stated in interviews that he is not worried about the challenge from Davis.

“I beat him once before, and the result will be the same,” he has stated.

He also goes into the fight with a huge advantage, as he has not fought since May 31, when he defeated Canadian Larone Whyte by split decision, and has therefore had 34 days to rest and prepare. Davis on the other hand, last fought on June 21, when he had a split decision victory over Ryan Young, in what was regarded as one of the best contests in the competition so far. His recuperation and preparation time is, therefore, much less than that of his opponent.

What effect this will have will be seen tonight. Mullings is well prepared and has been working on different strategies to cope with what Davis has to offer. His camp has offered that he is prepared for any type of fight that Davis will bring to the table.

“If it is outside, we are ready and if it is close, we are ready to rumble,” the Mullings camp said.

Based on what has been presented by both boxers in the competition to date, indications are that both men will go after each other from close range.

Davis told The Gleaner yesterday that he is in great shape and is ready for the challenge. He is confident that he can pick up from where he left off against Young, and is ready to deliver. oth boxers have good jabs, but do their best work at close range, and a concerted body attack seems to be on the cards from both corners. Mullings attacks effectively with both hands, and his combinations usually bear the stamp of authority.

In his bout against Whyte, Mullings seemed to get winded in the fourth round, but stamina his camp says, will not be a factor tonight, as he is well prepared.

Davis showed resilience in his bout against Young, but the question as to whether he is back in ring too early, will only be answered when the action starts. It promises to be an action-packed encounter.

The Moncriffe versus Matthews preliminary bout has all the ingredients for a thrilling encounter. Both men stood toe to toe with their opponents in their losses, and were disappointed at the end.

They are both seeking redemption tonight, and this is good news for spectators, as they will be going after each other from the first bell.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170705/contender-clash-mico-mullings-vs-davis-first-semi-final

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left), converses with Fr Howard Thompson (right) of Stella Maris Church in St Andrew during the church’s benefit concert and dinner at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Friday. Looking on is Archbishop of Kingston, Most Rev Kenneth Richards. Holness was the guest speaker. (Photo: JIS)

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/dinner-talk_103714?profile=1373

What has already been hailed as the best Wray and Nephew Contender series since its inception seven years ago, is set for an exciting finish, with two semi-finals on Wednesday, July 5 and 12 and the grand finale on July 26. There have been some interesting changes for these three shows. The first change is the venue. Instead of the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium, both the semis and the final will be held outdoors, on the spacious grounds of Mico University College, on Marescaux Road in St. Andrew. This has been done to facilitate the large crowd of spectators expected to attend.

There is also an addition to the programme. Each night, there will be a second professional bout on the card. On July 5, Jamaica crowd favourite Devon “Concrete”

Moncriffe will clash with Canadian Winston Matthews, over five rounds, before Sakima Mullings and Tsetsi Davis clash in the first semi-final. Matthews is the boxer who fought the No. 1 seeded Mullings at the start of the competition and gave a very good showing. Mullings won the fight by unanimous decision, but it was a close hard-fought contest.

Matthews was disappointed that he did not get the verdict, and after the fight said publicly that he wanted to fight in Jamaica again.The promoters have given the opportunity to do so against a very good opponent. Moncriffe also bowed out in the first round of the competition, when he lost to Canadian Larone Whyte, by split decision. This too was a very competitive bout, and the match between these two fighters, will undoubtedly live up to expectations.

Eight-Round Bout

On July 12, last year’s Contender champion, Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley will be challenged by Ramel ” Sub Zero” Lewis, another boxer who fought earlier in this year’s Contender series. This bout will be over eight rounds and will see Corley putting his boxing skills against the power-punching of Lewis. The semi-final that night, will be between Phil Rose from Canada and Richard “Frog” Holmes from Jamaica. On the final night, another former Contender champion, Kemahl Russell, will face Venezuelan boxer Mario Antonio Avendano over eight rounds. Avendano is a tested veteran, with a 30-11-1 record.

He has a lot of experience, and fought for the World Boxing Association welterweight title in 2011, but lost. This is billed as youth versus experience, and Russell, with a record of 10 wins and one loss,will be given the opportunity to see how well he can do against against a wily boxer.

The winner of the Contender series, will, in addition to the title, take home $2- million. The runner-up will get $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170630/contender-series-set-exciting-end