Cling Cling Oval set for Fight Night

Jamaica Boxing Board (JBB) President Stephen Jones is pleased to see boxing return to the St Andrew community of Olympic Gardens.

Jones was speaking at the launch of Fight Night on Olympic Way yesterday, ahead of the night of boxing set for Cling Cling Oval on Saturday night.

He says he is pleased despite the challenges local boxing has faced since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm not surprised, because even in the pandemic the want of boxing has always been there, and the fact that now with all gates open, we're excited that this platform has presented itself for the boys and girls to showcase their talents and bring communities together," Jones said.

Jamaica Olympic Association President Christopher Samuda was also in attendance and praised the JBB for the event, saying that the association will always support the board.

"We've always said that once you demonstrate that commitment, even beyond the sport, with the development of the community, then the Jamaica Olympic Association will be there to assist," he said.

The night will feature a nine-bout card with boxers from the Suga Knockout Boxing Gym, based in the community, ranging from 10 years old (Howard Levy) to 33 years old (Mickel Bernard). Jamaica's lightweight Headley 'The Light' Scott faces Mexico's Israel 'Filipino Tigre' Rojas in the main event. Scott comes into the fight with a record of 17 wins (12 by knockout) and a loss, by knockout. Rojas' record stands at 14 wins (five by knockout) and 26 losses (20 by knockout).

The event will also provide extra preparation for Commonwealth Games-bound Daniel Hylton, who is eager to parade the black, green and gold of Jamaica in Birmingham, England, next month.

Hylton, 22, is a 2015 silver medallist at the Caribbean Games and says he is pleased with his progression in the sport.

"Based on the preparation that I've been through, we are going to do great," Hylton said. "We've been doing some intense work, so expect a bang at the Commonwealth Games."

Another boxer set for action is 20-year-old Sharikee Moore, the gym's lone female. She says that she hopes this will provide more attention for boxing as she often struggles to find other females challenge.

"Being the only female proves a challenge for me as I don't get enough fights as I should, so I would love for it that we get more females into the sport," she said.

The event gets going with undercard action at 7 p.m.

Undercard:

Howard Levy (80lbs) v Alex Grant (90)

Tyreek Jackson (112) v Akeem Mignott (120)

Damara Bowen (120) v Sharikee Moore (124)

Juezier Heron (140) v Daniel Hylton (145)

Shaine Blake (156) v Mickel Bernard (155)

Renaldo Beckford (175) v Jerone Ennis (175)

Kirk Patrick Heron (170) v Tomere Pearson (168)

Jordan Blackwood (215) v Alex Walch (210)

Main event:

Headley 'The Light' Scott (Jam) v Israel Rojas (Mex)