Jones excited about Boxing for MoBay

Stephen 'Bommer' Jones, president of the Jamaica Boxing Board, is excited with the signing of the agreement with the Montego Bay Cricket Club in establishing a boxing gym in the Second City.

The signing took place at the launch of the second Gloves over Guns fight card at the Montego Bay Cricket Club last Thursday and will see a gym being placed on the third floor of the MBCC under a four-year rent-free lease.

Come Saturday, a Jamaican team will go up against a team out of Canada in a five-fight card at the venue.

"It means the world to me. As much as I enjoy my participation in boxing over the years, I think this is the project that is most dear to my heart because it is community based. It's everything we've learnt over the year on how best to positively drive the youths forward," said Jones.

"The Gloves Over Guns is really a bridge gap between adults and youths. We find that when we come into the heart of the communities, it's a family-oriented evening. So it's not just about boxing. It's about the personal development that is shown within the individuals so that their parents and community can feel proud," he added.

Despite looking to consistently put on fights in the Second City, Jones said personal development of the children in the programme is most important.

"The truth be told, not every individual that is going to be a part of the development programme is going to be a champion. So it's not boxing first. We are using it as a vehicle to get children off the streets and into something positive," said Jones.

"Yes, we will have champions coming out because there is talent all around in Jamaica, especially in Montego Bay. The few that do go on will move from our grass-roots programme to the national programme and then on to the professional level. However, for those who can't get there, at the end of it, they will be able to think for themselves, knowing right from wrong."