Former champion Sakima Mullings marched into the final of the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series for the second time in three seasons following a blow-filled split decision win over Tsetsi Davis in the first semi-final at the Mico University Grounds on Wednesday night.

In the under card pro-fight, Devon Moncriffe of Jamaica defeated Winston Matthews of Canada by a popular majority decision after all three judges — Brian Beauchamp, Clifford Brown and Ransford Burton — scored the bout in favour of the Jamaican.

Action continues at the same venue next week Wednesday when DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley faces Ramel Lewis in the pro-under card over five rounds.

In the night’s feature, Richard “Frog” Holmes, the Team Jamaica number two seed, comes up against Team Canada’s number one seed Phil Rose in the second semi-final over seven rounds.

On Wednesday night Mullings earned the decision to be the first to qualify for the 2017 Contender “Best Of The Best” series final for the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender.

This followed an action-filled seven rounds after which two of the three judges — Brian Beauchamp and Keith Brown — scored the bout 68-65 and 67-66, respectively, in favour of the former champion. The other judge, Lindell Allen, scored it 67- 66 in favour of Davis, who also lost to Mullings in the 2014 final by a unanimous decision.

The win increases Mullings’ ring record to 22 wins, three losses, and 14 knockouts from 25 fights.

It was action from the opening gong. And even with a feeling out period where the boxers started slowly in the first half of the round, the heat went up for the remainder as Mullings went for the body from early.

And from the end on the first round on, even though Davis showed a much improved approach to his craft, Mullings took control of the first four rounds by using his heavy body-punching technique to good effect.

Davis, who was in great shape for the first five rounds, came into his own for most of the fifth, which he took. However, from thence he failed to reproduce the mesmeric industry that he displayed in his quarter-final match against his Team Canada number one challenger Ryan Young, and he wilted for the next two rounds as Mullings stepped up his body blows.

“I felt great mentally and physically going into the fight. We were working assiduously in the gym as we knew that Davis was in great shape. We both have the same attributes, but what I used as a major tool was my desire and that iron will to overcome and succeed,” said Mullings.

Asked about the possibility of facing Richard Holmes in the final, Mullings responded: “Both he and Davis are my friends, so it gives me no pleasure to go into the ring to fight guys that I know. But in the end of it all, it is business as usual,” he added.

Davis, failing to accept the decision of the judges once again, declared in his post-match comments that he was finished competing in the Contender series.

“I done with Contender. Seriously to God, I done with it,” he said.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport/mullings-marches-into-contender-final-after-win-over-vexed-davis_104163?profile=1511

Sakima Mullings the No. 1-rated boxer in the Wray and Nephew Contender 2017 competition, had to fight off a stiff challenge from arch-rival Tsetsi Davis at The Mico University College on Wednesday night to book his place in the final, scheduled for July 26.

After seven pulsating rounds of boxing, there was a split decision, as judges Brian Beauchamp 68-65 and Keith Brown 67-66 voted for Mullings, while judge Lindell Allen voted 67-66 for Davis. The second semi-final between Canadian Phil Rose and Jamaica’s Richard ‘Frog” Holmes will take place next Wednesday at the same venue.

An exciting fight between these two rivals was expected, and it lived up to expectations. When they met in the 2014 finals, Mullings, who now has a 22-3 record, came out the winner when Davis retired in the seventh round of their 10- round bout. Davis, who is now18-6, did not flinch on Wednesday night, however, and took the fight to Mullings. Both men sent out early signals that they meant business, because, after a brief period of throwing tentative jabs, they started hurling ‘bombs’ at each other.

Davis usually came in behind a straight jab, and followed this up with right hooks to both the head and body. Fortunately for Mullings, only a few of the head shots found the mark, and he was able to work his way out of trouble repeatedly. He, in turn, concentrated on flurries, particularly to the body, and scored a lot of points this way.

He conceded after the fight that Davis was “a very difficult opponent and he really surprised me. His tactics were hard to read, as he changed repeatedly, and I just had to concentrate on my own plan of attack”.

One of the things that he tried was to use the ropes to his advantage. He repeatedly backed into the ropes to entice Davis to come forward, and it worked.

CRITICAL ROUND

The only problem for Mullings was that Davis got the better of the early exchanges. The fight was close all the way and at the end of six rounds, two scorecards had the fight even. This meant that the final round would be critical. It was also a close round, and came down to the last 30 seconds. Both men worked hard, despite being obviously tired, and kept the action going to the last bell, after which they both raised their hands as a sign of victory. Mullings did get the nod, but just barely.

Although he was disappointed, Davis managed to smile when he spoke with The Gleaner after the fight. He said that he was pleased with his performance, and hoped that it would have been enough for him to win.

“I really wanted to win and take the title this year, but it did not happen” he said. He confessed that he was not able to put in as much work as he would have liked, and thought that it was unfair for him to have been put into the first semi-final after fighting on June 21.

“It is what it is, however. I came out and gave him a good fight and it seems as if the spectators were happy. My job is to please the crowd and I think that I did that.

I am tired and need some rest now ” he ended.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170707/mullings-edges-davis-after-exciting-contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Port of Spain, Trinidad 8 July 2017

Ticket for the finals of the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad are now on sale and available to buy through the Hero CPL website – www.cplt20.com. The four matches will take place between 5^th & 9^th September and will be the thrilling conclusion of Hero CPL 2017.

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy is a state-of-the-art 100,000sqft training and competition venue with a capacity of 15,000-seats. This fantastic facility will be hosting its first Hero CPL matches and the teams will be able to make use of the world-class outdoor nets and training complex while fans will be able to watch at the most modern cricket stadium in the Caribbean.

Tickets for the finals week of the biggest sporting event in the Caribbean start from just $30US for the eliminators, $35US for the Play-off and $40US for the finals.

The colour, vibrancy and excitement of the Hero CPL finals can’t be matched, and tickets should be picked up fast before they sell out.

Damien O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the Hero CPL, said: “We are delighted to be in Trinidad for the finals week this year, it is the vibrant hub of Caribbean cricket. The Biggest Party in Sport finishing at the wonderful stadium at the Brian Lara Academy will be a perfect end to the tournament, and what better name for the matches to be associated with than Brian Charles Lara!”

ABOUT THE HERO CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Since its inception in 2013, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere. Over 149 million fans watched the 2016 season, combining broadcast and digital viewership, to make it one of the fastest growing leagues in world cricket. Jamaica Tallawahs are the current Hero CPL champions and the other competing teams are Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Stars and Trinbago Knight Riders. The 2017 tournament will run from 4 August – 9 September 2017. For further information visit www.cplt20.com.

-End-

For further information please contact:

Peter Miller

Mobile: +447769119636

Head of PR and Communications

Hero Caribbean Premier League

When Nigel Davis, 40, stepped up to claim the coveted Coach of the Year Award last Friday, during the 34th staging of the Jamaica Special Olympics National Summer Games, it was the culmination of years of hard work through trying circumstances.

“Being a slow learner means you’ll have to work harder to realise your dreams, but hard work usually pays,” declared the August Town resident, who in his formative years attended Mico Practising Primary and Junior High School, and later Randolph Lopez School of Hope.

“Growing up, persons in the community would tease me because I went to a special school, and people had it that only handicaps go there. Financially, my mother didn’t have it while I was growing up, but she always tried. My father would always help me out with snacks or a lunch money in my teenage years as well.”

Davis’ silver lining came in the 1980s upon a visit to the national arena, where he observed men roller-skating and developed a love affair he has described as “life changing”.

“I was so amazed with their energy and the engine-like sound that the shoes made that I approached them and asked how I could join, and that was it. At first, I wasn’t able to balance so well, but I eventually got better.”

Davis would later be selected to compete at a number of Special Olympics around the world in several sports and would launch his Special Olympian coaching career in the early 2000s.

As a coach, Davis’ greatest achievement is having conditioned Romaine Austin and Dave Oddman to historic gold-medal successes at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz, Austria, in March.

However, his fondest memory on the journey thus far is having started his own skating school in August Town in 2006.

Living his dream

“Nigel Davis Foundation Skating School is me living my dream. I would love the help from some companies to expand it to all parishes. As a result of my development and recognition, the treatment in my community is good now, no trouble. For others like myself I just want to say, don’t give up, don’t shy away from followering your dreams,” stated Davis, who is also formally employed to Parang Industries Limited.

Dane Richardson, chief executive officer of Digicel Foundation, the main sponsors of the Jamaica Special Olympics, declared that Special Olympics continued to inspire persons across the island, with and without disabilities, to give in to a higher calling both for themselves and the country.

In heaping praises upon the sportsman-turned-coach, Executive Director of Special Olympics Jamaica, Lorna Bell, stated that Davis was truly “phenomenal”.

“He’s Mr Special Olympics. Most persons are not so open to telling others that they’re special; he has no problem in admitting to you that he has a disability. There is nothing like acceptance. He has represented Jamaica in every single sport that we offer and he was the torch runner at the 2015 Los Angeles Special Olympics World Summer Games, alongside our local police officers. He’s very deserving.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170705/mr-special-olympics-august-town-resident-soaring-spite-challenges

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

A 76-year-old retired parish council worker from Trelawny, on Tuesday took home a cheque for $117 million for winning a share of the June 16 Super Lotto.

The pensioner, identified only as W Gordon from Granville near Falmouth, was masked in a red, green and gold tam with hanging locks covering his face.

Despite his sporting locks, however, Gordon confessed that he is a devout Methodist who attends church in Falmouth and believes that God had a hand in his luck.

“I believe in God and he supplies my needs. I am thankful. I don’t plan on moving or doing anything different. I will maintain my Christian fortitude,” he told the Supreme Ventures team.

Gordon told the Jamaica Observer at the handover event Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, that he retired from working in 1998, after being employed by parish councils, now municipal corporations, in his hometown of Falmouth, as well as in St James and Hanover.

He was not sure what he would do with his new wealth, but noted that he had bought another ticket already, in the meantime. He had said that he wanted to reach home in time that Tuesday to purchase a second ticket for that night’s draw, as he would not stop playing the game.

Gordon, who has been playing the local Lotto and the regional Super Lotto for more than 10 years, almost threw away the lucky ticket after being given the wrong results for the June 16 draw by a neighbour.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/76-year-old-christian-wins-117-m-super-lotto-jackpot_103278?profile=1373

There will be more room for Wray & Nephew Contender fans in the final three fights of the seventh season, as organisers of the event have shifted the location for the semi-final and final matches to the grounds of The Mico University College.

Mark Kenny, executive producer, Wray & Nephew Contender, noted that his team and sponsors, Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, are excited about the new location at 1A Marescaux Road in Kingston, because they believe the outdoor venue will allow them to better serve Contender fans.

“We’ve seen an increase this season in the numbers of persons who want to view the fights live on a weekly basis. We have projected an increase in demand for tickets and that led us to shift the venue for the semi-finals and final fights from the Chinese Benevolent Association to The Mico University College,” Kenny said in an interview recently.

He continued to emphasise, “It’s been a very successful series. We have outgrown our capacity there and we haven’t taken the Wray & Nephew Contender outdoors since year one, when the finals for season 1 was held at the Constant Spring Football Field.”

Kenny added that testing of outdoor venues for Contender fights was conducted prior to the start of this season in March, with four Road to Contender fights held in St Thomas, Ocho Rios, St Elizabeth and Kingston. These, he said, were all successful and well supported by fans.

Semi-finalists Tsetsi Davis and Sakima Mullings, who last fought against each other in the 2014 Wray & Nephew Contender final, will face off on Wednesday, July 5, while Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes will be up against Canadian Phil Rose on Wednesday, July 12. Winners from both semi-finals will fight for the 2017 title in the final on Wednesday, July 26.

Pietro Gramegna, Marketing manager, J Wray & Nephew Limited, expressed elation about the change in venue as this season of the Wray & Nephew Contender climaxes: “It’s been an exciting season, filled with overwhelming support from fans at the Chinese Benevolent Association in the last three months. Over the years, Wray & Nephew Contender has become a fixture on Wednesday evenings for many Jamaicans who either tune in via Television Jamaica or watch the fights live. Wray & Nephew Contender has embodied the unmistakable competitiveness of our Jamaican spirit. We are pleased that the semi-final and final fights will be held at a larger outdoor venue. This is a major step which will allow more boxing fans to be able to witness the fights live and feel more engaged in the event.”

Tickets for the upcoming fights cost $800 for general admission and $1,800 for VIP. A special season pass for all three fights costs $4,000. These can be purchased at Western Sports, Twin Gates Plaza; Total Dunrobin; and Jus Call Couriers.

The three remaining fights will be broadcast live on Television Jamaica at 9:30 pm.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/contender-series-semis-finals-set-for-mico-university_103275?profile=1511