Boxing promoters patiently waiting on gov’t go-ahead
AMERICA-BASED PROMOTER Vernon Lynch said his Boxing Showdown promotions company is willing to wait a little longer for the Jamaican Government to approve a television boxing series that they have scheduled to take place on the island in June.
President of the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA), Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones, was hoping to get the green light for the event by early May, in order to have a six-week window to prepare, but that did not materialise.
This led to the original date being rescheduled; however, Lynch and his business partner, Trenton Gumbs, are pleased with the feedback they have had on developments, and are willing to give it some more time, with the expectation that all necessary approvals will be provided soon.
“We have been patiently waiting to get approval and to get going, but COVID-19 has been a setback and a big delay. We have to wait on the Ministry of Health and Wellness to give the green light. It is out of his (Jones’) hands, but we heard soccer has opened up and track and field has opened,” said Lynch.
BIG PROBLEM
“So boxing shouldn’t be a big problem, especially when you are abiding by the COVID rules, and we know Stephen ‘Bomber’ has all the protocols in place. I guess they are going down the list and we do not know where we stand on the list or when we are going to get the go-ahead, but we are hoping that it will be very soon, and from what we know, everything has been positive,” he noted.
Lynch revealed that they currently do not have another destination in mind for the programme, adding that Jamaica’s rich boxing history and geographic position make it their ideal location.
“Nothing has changed for us. We have rescheduled things but no matter what the situation is, we will bring quality boxing matches to Jamaica, ”Lynch said. “Jamaica has a boxing heritage and we want to continue that. Jamaica is very strategically placed, its geographic location gives an opportunity for boxers to come from around the world to fight here.
“So we hope we can get approved and be able to start what we set out to do, ”he added.
“This is about synergy with Jamaica, we are not going to come in and just do business and leave, this is about an ongoing relationship and how can Jamaica build a boxing programme,” Lynch said.
Jamaican heavyweight boxer, Chad Richards, will feature on the card for the inaugural staging of the event.