Team Canada’s boxer Dave ‘Fast and Furious’ Leblond has appealed to the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC) to have his defeat to Jamaican fighter Tsetsi ‘Lights Out’ Davis overruled.

If successful, this would result in a rematch between the two for a spot in the next round of the competition.

Leblond’s trainer, Patrice Trudeau, told The Gleaner that although he and Leblond are not upset that Davis won, they believe the judges made what he describes as an egregious ruling.

“The judges made a choice and we’re OK with the decision, regardless of the fact that we think we won, it’s more about a state of mind than the actual facts,” Trudeau told The Gleaner: “We’re satisfied in what we came to do. You saw at the end of the fight how satisfied as a team we were. That’s really what the heart of it is. But if you’re asking me if Tsetsi Davis won the fight and outscored Dave Leblond, I’ll say no.”

However, Trudeau said he would not go into the details of the grounds of the appeal, which was submitted to the JBBC on Wednesday afternoon.

NO DETAILS

“It’s not that I can’t go into the details, but I’m just not gonna go into the details with that because we took our time to write the reasons of the appeal and we forwarded the letter of the official appeal to the board on Wednesday. Things, sometimes, can go south when you really want them to go north, but we trust that the board can do an excellent job sorting out what we brought up. Our job was really to highlight the facts and what we saw that was actually there.”

JBBC officials refused to speak about the issue, saying at the time that they had not reviewed the appeal as yet, but they believe it is unlikely that the decision will change.

However, Contender promoter Mark Kenny said Leblond may actually have a case.

“Under WBC (World Boxing Council) rules, egregious scoring may be grounds for an appeal,” he said.

“The appeal is just basically for an extra scrutiny, and we’re fine with that, and we agree with it. Sometimes that’s good to show that the show takes itself very seriously. If the appeal turns round and sanctions result that are correct? That’s fine.”

rachid.parchment@gleanerjm.com

World-ranked Jamaican female boxer, Alicia Ashley, is on a mission to inspire and empower the young women of her native island home. Ashley, who lives and trains in New York City, is on the island for a short visit, with the main objective of reaching out to as many young women as possible during her stay.

Ashley, who is also a motivational speaker, will be talking to young ladies about self-defence at the Caribbean Palms Community Centre as well as the Roger Clarke High school in St Elizabeth.

She wants to teach them how to protect themselves better since there has been a spate of attacks on women in Jamaica recently.

The 49-year-old is also hoping to do more than just that by sharing her personal story in an effort to give them hope.

“I want to speak to them about what my life entails and how I got to where I am,” she reasoned.

On the issue of the much hyped “Contender” boxing series, Ashley insists that the promoters of the event as well as the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control are missing a trick.

“We need to use the Contender Series to promote female boxing, we should use it to showcase our female talent.”

On the vexed issue of the disparity between salaries earned by males versus females in the sport of boxing, Asley was adamant that things need to be addressed.

“The UFC has taken the lead so that women can finally get paid. The biggest problem with female boxing is that we are not getting paid (enough). Females get paid 5% of what the males make.

It is time to level the playing field,” she insisted. Ashley stated that 92% of the advertisement in sports are geared towards men.

“If we are not being covered we are not going to get sponsored. Our fights need to be televised. It is a myth that people won’t watch, just take a look at the UFC.”

Ronda Rousey who was the first female fighter signed to the UFC in 2012 is estimated to have a net worth of US$12,000,000.

The former WBC female World Super Bantamweight champion who has never fought in Jamaica, hopes to get the opportunity very soon.

“I have a title rematch at the end of June and I want to win back my title here in Jamaica. Venues have been discussed in Florida and New York but I have never fought in Jamaica, so I would really love to fight here.”

Ashley was a guest presenter at the Wray and Nephew Contender on Wednesday where she handed out the medals to the contestants of the amateur bouts.

Source: http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/boxer-alicia-ashley-wants-to-inspire-jamaican-women_97432?profile=1281&template=MobileArticle

Infrastructural development focused on education and socialisation, coupled with greater job opportunities, are what residents of Maryland in east rural St Andrew are demanding from the Government.

The residents made their thoughts known in a Gleaner On The Corner forum with co-chairman of the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), Keith Duncan, in their community last Thursday.

With Duncan willing to listen and share thoughts about the role of the committee that monitors the Government’s programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the residents were not shy, during and after the forum, as they bemoaned the lack of economic opportunities and the infrastructure needs of their community.

“We’re lacking a basic school, a clinic and a post office,” declared 46-year-old Cecil Robinson.

The self-employed resident added that emphasis on development should be shifted from urban areas in order to alleviate the burden being faced by those living in “deplorable” conditions in rural communities.

But 26-year-old lab technician Kemar Fender challenged his neighbour, as he argued that a development balance had to be struck, as to shift focus solely to rural communities could result in the collapse of corporate Jamaica.

“Our community centre needs development. However, there are opportunities in place for rural folks, but we have to be more organised as a community to be able to capitalise on them,” said Fender.

“Having achieved that organisational structure, I hope the economic plan has aspects that can maximise the strengths of my community, such as farming,” added Fender.

Elisha Bogle, 70, who was born and raised in Maryland, recounted when agriculture thrived and scores of persons raked in good incomes.

“These youngsters nowadays don’t want to farm. We don’t have anybody to cultivate, is just a few persons farming,” Bogle told The Gleaner.

Marvette Cain, a 35-year-old mother of three, underscored the need for a basic school as she pointed out that the closest was some distance away in Woodford.

Cain further charged that the lack of job opportunities is the primary cause of gambling and other “unproductive activities” in Jamaica.

“I’ve seen where persons have gotten a few weeks’ employment and they no longer have a mindset to sit on the corner and idle. Persons are motivated to work, but we need the job opportunities,” argued Cain.

At the end of the forum, Maryland residents gave Duncan a nine-out-of-10 rating for his presentation of complex economic matters that are usually discusssed in terms they believe are not designed for the man on the street.

syranno.baines@gleanerjm.com

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20170501/corner-we-want-infrastructure-opportunities-say-maryland-residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bridgetown, 1 May 2017

#CPL17

The Tridents Pride of Barbados Captain Kieron Pollard is calling on all the home fan support available, when the Tridents host matches in the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Tridents will host four matches at the historic Kensington Oval from August 29 (v Guyana Amazon Warriors), August 31 (v St Lucia Stars), September 2 (v Trinbago Knight Riders) and September 3 (v St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots).

Pollard urged fans to support the team at home by purchasing tickets to create an uncomfortable atmosphere for visiting teams.

“The Hero CPL may be the biggest party in sport, but with the support of the Bajan fans, the Tridents will be the only ones partying after the matches this year. The Tridents intend to play a fierce brand of cricket which will be make it very uncomfortable for anyone we face, especially at The Mecca.”

The Tridents won the tournament in 2014 and open their 2017 campaign against the Jamaica Tallawahs in Central Broward Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida.

Bolstered by the additions of openers Dwayne Smith and New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson, the Tridents aim to rebound from a disappointing 2016 campaign, which saw them miss the playoffs for the first time.

“Last year we struggled with multiple injuries and the departure of key players at inopportune times for the team. In 2017, we intend to return to our winning ways with the team we feel will win it all.”

The Tridents open the tournament against the Tallawahs on August 5 and 6 before moving to St. Lucia to clash with the Stars on August 10.

-ENDS-

For further information:

Jason Harper

Chief Executive Officer

Jharper.barbados@gmail.com

1-647-702-9607
Or

Peter Breen
Mobile: +353-85-7205752 (Ireland)
Skype: pbreen67

It is tempting to judge a person who has been arrested and sent to prison. But the punishment doesn’t always fit the crime, especially in the Caribbean and Latin American prisons, where overcrowding is a major problem.

Food For The Poor’s (FFP) Prison Ministry Programme, which started in 1998, has helped to free, train and reintroduce non-violent prisoners into their communities as productive citizens during the Christmas and Easter season.

During the recent Holy Week, 152 inmates in four countries were given a second chance.

In Jamaica, 25 non-violent prisoners were released from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, Spanish Town Court and Tamarind Farm in Spanish Town, the Fort Augusta Adult Correctional Centre in Portmore and Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre in St Mary.

Each newly released person was greeted by FFP staff. They were all given words of encouragement, a hot meal.

One of the inmates released from the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre was a taxi operator from St James. He was arrested in early March for failure to pay outstanding traffic tickets. He explained that being in prison was difficult because he had a wife and two young children who depended on him for everything.

“I pleaded for more time to come up with the funds to pay for the tickets, but that was denied, so I was arrested. I did not get a chance to say goodbye to my spouse and our children. I think that was the most difficult part about being in prison – not knowing how my family would survive. Many nights I went without sleep because I kept thinking about their welfare,” said the newly released man.

FEELING GOOD

“I am feeling good and overwhelmed at this moment. My children will be so happy to see me, and I am looking forward to seeing them. Thanks to FFP for making this possible for me and the other inmates. This was my first time in prison, and it certainly will be the last.”

Fifteen prisoners were released in Honduras. Nine men were freed from the Pastoral Penitenciaria in San Pedro Sula, and five men and one woman from the Privados de Libertad Para Conmuta Penitenciaria in Danli.

Four men in Guyana were freed, two from the Georgetown Prison, one from the Amsterdam Prison and one from Timehri Prison. The men expressed deep gratitude to the FFP Guyana staff for its compassion.

Each person was given a copy of the Holy Bible, a change of clothes, personal-care items, food, and a monetary gift for transportation home.

“Life in prison is not easy, nor is it supposed to be, but in the countries where Food For The Poor serves, the prisons can be dangerous and sometimes a deadly environment for inmates and the people working within these crowded facilities. This is why the training and reintroduction of non-violent prisoners into the community as productive citizens is so vitally important,” said Robin Mahfood, chief executive officer and president of FFP.

“This organisation will never advocate criminal behaviour, but it’s a terrible thing for someone to spend years in prison for a petty crime simply because they do not have the money to pay their jail fines,” Mahfood added.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170428/dozens-prisoners-four-countries-freed-holy-week

Richard “Frog” Holmes, runner-up to the winners in the last two years of the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series expose, made an ominous start to his 2017 campaign.

As was anticipated, Holmes’ win over Team Canada’s challenger Mike Breton handed Team Jamaica a 3-1 lead in the 15-bout championship.
A veteran in his sixth consecutive appearance in the Series, it took the Team Jamaica gloveman a mere two rounds and 29 seconds to put away Breton via technical knock-out.
By virtue of the win, Holmes moved into the second round from the fourth of the first eight preliminary fights to be on target for a bigger share of the prize money of $3m  along with copping the title of Jamaica’s Ultimate Junior Middleweight Contender.
Holmes, who looked polished and ready for combat, wasted little time to show his superiority over his opponent whom he dropped in the second round with a right hook. Then 29 seconds later, in the third round, dropped him again to the canvas for the second time with a stultifying uppercut.
In the first knockdown, Breton used the ropes to raise himself off his knees for a standing eight count from referee Eon Jardine. The bell then saved him from further punishment in the round.
However, the two minute break between rounds did not allow the Canadian enough time to fully recover from his ordeal of the second round and when “Frog” leapt at him in the third of the five-rounder Breton capitulated to the force of his aggressor. Referee Jardine called in ringside doctor Dr Aundre McDonald for the second time and he advised the bout be stopped after a close examination of Breton.
“No real sweat from this opening bout. We watched his tapes and saw that he is a puncher and he was open to the upper all night. My plan was to set him up and I knew that when I catch him with it flush the fight will be finished. So said, so done and it was all over. As the tournament continues it will become tougher,” said Holmes.
Trainer Francois Duguay, speaking on behalf of Breton, said: “We wanted to put pressure on Holmes because we have watched a video of him before and know that he will break after round three as he uses up a lot of energy in his early rounds. So I asked Mike to put on the pressure but Holmes was wise enough to throw combinations one, two, three small stepped back and Mike got in his distance to throw the uppercut at a good place at the right moment.”
Two Canada-based fighters in Gregory Miller representing Team Jamaica and Frank Cotroni Team Canada will touch gloves in the fifth preliminary round next Wednesday at the same venue over five rounds.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/-8216-frog-8217-jumps-to-tko-win-over-breton_97138?profile=1511

Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes, who was the runner-up in last year’s Wray & Nephew Contender competition, served notice on Wednesday night that he would, again, be a dangerous opponent this year.

Holmes scored a decisive technical knockout victory over Mike Breton of Canada at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium The end came after 29 seconds of the third round when Breton was floored for the second time in the contest.

Holmes stated that before the fight, he was in good condition and was looking for a decisive victory. Going up against an opponent with one win and three losses, he then delivered on his promise.

EARLY DOMINATION

He built up his attack slowly in the first round, but as soon as he found his range, he unleashed a barrage of punches that shook Breton. The body was his target of choice, but he switched the attack to the head from time to time and established early domination. Breton fought back gamely in this round, but Holmes, who started the fight with a 13-6 record, never backed away from him.

On instructions from his corner, Holmes settled down in the next round and completely dominated it. Breton was put on the canvas with a combination of punches, and the writing was on the wall. A quick start in the third round saw Breton going down again and bleeding from his nostrils. Referee Eion Jardine quickly called a halt and asked the doctor to take a look at the Canadian. He worked for a few minutes to stop the bleeding and did so eventually.

Breton, through his trainer-interpreter Frank Duguay, conceded that he was outclassed by a hard-hitting opponent.

Duguay said afterwards: “The Jamaican hits hard and Mike did not have the power to match him. He is a tough fighter, but he will now have to make a decision as to whether he wants to continue professional boxing.”

There were two entertaining amateur bouts on the card. In the first, two of Jamaica’s best lightweights, Marvin Shea from the Jamaica Defence Force and Sanjay Williams from Bruising gym, clashed, and after three hard-fought rounds, Williams came away with a scintillating victory. In the second bout, Jamaica representative Ricardo Carter from Dream Sports gym overwhelmed Kenry McDermott from Bruising gym and won on points. McDermott suffered an eye injury and had to be treated after the fight.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170428/frog-holmes-turns-power-contender

Celebrating Dad! Brian ‘Ribbie’ Chung (left) shares a proud moment with his children, Lena and Tyler.

Harry Smith (left) and Francois St Juste (right) were out to celebrate with Brian ‘Ribbie’ Chung at his birthday party at Ribbie’s Ultra Lounge on Tuesday.

Stephen Price and his wife, Imani Duncan-Price, cuddling during the birthday celebration for Brian ‘Ribbie’ Chung.

Brian ‘Ribbie’ Chung’s Wray Rum-inspired birthday cake.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/social/20170428/something-extra-friday

Team Jamaica number two seed Richard “Frog” Holmes is all set to open his 2017 campaign in the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Boxing Series with a win tonight at the Chinese Benevolent Association. Action is set to start at 8:30 pm.The three-fight card will open the evening’s programme with two amateur bouts over three rounds. This will be followed by half-an-hour of Wray and Nephew organisers’ rib-tickling entertainment and giveaways.

The main event, featuring Holmes and Canadian Mike Breton over five rounds lasting three minutes each, is set to take centre stage at approximately 9:45 pm.

Holmes, 28, finished second in the last two Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender Series and is one of the most consistent performers in the series. He opens his challenge for parity in the fourth fight of the 2017 series against Breton, an unranked member of Team Canada.

Team Jamaica holds a narrow 2-1 lead over Team Canada after three fights of the eight-fight championship, which began on April 5.

Holmes, who fought in the 147 lbs weight class last year, has now moved up to his natural weight class of 154.

The Jamaican gloveman has a fairly decent ring record of 13 wins with four knockouts and seven defeats from 20 professional fights. Breton has an impressive history of boxing as an amateur. But as a professional, his record of four fights with one win is not impressive.

But do not be fooled by his professional record. Each of the Canadian boxers has been more than capable of holding their own against the local opposition, and another keen battle is expected.

The seventh Contender Series is being promoted as the “Best of the Best” Series between Jamaica and Canada, and proceedings to date, have lived up to its promise with three fights completed.

The first prize of two million dollars and the title of Jamaica’s junior middleweight Contender Series champion beckon.

Next week, Frank Cotroni of Team Canada and Gregory Miller of Team Jamaica are slated to cross swords in the fifth bout of the campaign.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/-8216-frog-8217-takes-on-canada-8217-s-breton-in_96889?profile=1511

Jamaica’s Richard Holmes will make his Wray and Nephew 2017 Contender debut tonight at the Chinese Benevolent Association on Old Hope Road in St Andrew, against Canadian Mike Breton, in a junior middleweight bout scheduled for five rounds. The action starts at 8.30 p.m. with two amateur bouts. The main event will start at 9.30 p.m., and will be broadcast live on TVJ.

Holmes, who is 29, was a finalist last year, but lost to American Demarcus Corley. He told The Gleaner yesterday that it is his dream to be a Contender champion, and he will therefore be fighting hard this year to make that dream into a reality. He goes into the contest with 12 wins and six losses. His opponent is a 30-year old native of Quebec, Canada, who entered the professional ranks last year and has had four fights, winning one and losing three. He is, however, reported to be well schooled in the sport, fighting as an amateur, and has had over 40 bouts.

Holmes told The Gleaner yesterday that despite the fact that Breton has not been a professional for long, he will be going into the ring tonight with a lot of respect for him.

“We have seen in all the fights so far that although the Canadian boxers do not have great records, they can fight. I am expecting a tough fight tonight, and I am prepared for it.”

Very Confident

The Canadian camp is also very confident. Trainer Frank Dugay said that they have reviewed tapes of Holmes and know what to expect. “We are here to win,” he volunteered.

This is the fourth round of the preliminaries in which there are eight fights. The winners will then square off in the quarter-finals over five rounds, and those winners will graduate to the semi-finals with over seven rounds each. The final will be over 10 rounds. The title belt and $2 million will go to the winner, the runner-up pockets $500,000; third place, $250,000; and fourth place, $200,000.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20170426/frog-holmes-leaps-contender-action-tonight