Early warning for local ‘Contender’ boxers
UNITED BOXING Promotions boss Tyler Buxton, the man responsible for the Canadian team that will be going up against Jamaica’s top junior middleweights in the 2017 season of the ‘Wray and Nephew Contender’ boxing series, says things will not ‘end good’ for Jamaica’s No. 1 ranked boxer, Sakima Mullings, if he uses his usual fighting style against his boxers.
Speaking to The Gleaner at the launch of the seventh season at Wray and Nephew on Tuesday night, Buxton says Mullings fights similar to the legendary Floyd Mayweather, but warned the top-rated Jamaican in the series to change his style if he hopes to stand a chance against his fighters.
“Sakima is probably the best guy (on Jamaica team). I saw him fight when I was here in November. If he wants to shoulder roll and stand in front of these Canadian guys, he’s going to get knocked out. I know he didn’t fight a good opponent that night, but if that’s his style and if he thinks he is Mayweather, it is not going to end good for him if he doesn’t change his style before the main fight,” Buxton told The Gleaner.
KNOCKOUTS
“Everyone has their style, but these Canadian guys punch very hard. If you look at their record, they knock guys out,” he added.
Mullings, the 2014 winner with 19 professional wins and three losses, will face a rather inexperienced fighter in Winston Matthews, who has one win and a loss after two pro fights, in the opening bout on April 5 at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium on Old Hope Road.
But Mullings was unfazed by the comments.
“I don’t think I am Mayweather. I am Sakima Mullings, and I have never been knocked out in a pro or amateur fight in my life,” was his brief response.
The seven other boxers representing the Jamaican team are Richard Holmes, Devon Moncriffe, Tsetsi Davis, Ramel Lewis, Meo Yeyo, Ricardo Planter and Gregory Miller. They will go up against Canadians Ryan Young, Frank Cotroni, Dave Leblond, Mike Breton, Larone Whyte, Phil Rose and John Ryan Wagner.
This year’s winner will walk away with $2 million, second place will take home $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth, $200,000.
Fights will be aired live on TVJ.