'Major Pain' to highlight historic card
By SHELDON LONGLEY
NG Sports Reporter
At least three promising young Bahamians will be making their professional debuts in three weeks time as professional boxing returns to The Bahamas.
Bahamian Sons Promotion got the ball rolling last month when Sherman 'Tank' Williams won the WBA Fede Caribe Heavyweight title, and now First Class Promotions is getting in on the act with the staging of its 'New Breed' show set for the 28th of February at the Zoo Night Club on West Bay Street.
The event will mark the first time that professional boxing will be held in a night club in The Bahamas and will feature a number of young boxers either coming off outstanding amateur careers or experiencing just their second or third pro fights.
"We feel that the night club setting will bring a lot more excitement to the boxing matches and it will also attract the younger crowd," said Jamal Rodgers, manager of Entertainment at the Zoo. "We are really excited about it and we hope that it can be an ongoing thing. We hope that everyone will come out to watch the show and we hope to do it again in the near future."
Meacher 'Major Pain' Major, who got off to a blazing start in his professional career before losing his last fight, is set to main event the 'New Breed' show. Major (2-1) will take on Mexican Federa Castro in a six round bout. Jerome Ellis, still undefeated at 2-0, will challenge Miguero Corretta from Puerto Rico in the co-main event.
"I normally have a harder fight plan than most of the other fighters," said Ellis, who spent a couple of months in Florida training, where he started his professional career.
"Having trained in Florida, that put more pressure on me than the other fighters because most of them are expecting me to shine," he added.
On the undercard, Bahamian boxers making their pro debuts include the youngest fighter on the card, David 'The Pace Setter' Wallace, Elkin 'The Hit Man' Butler, Drexel McIntosh and quite possibly two of the most decorated amateurs in Bahamian history, 'Big Daddy' Jerry Butler - younger brother of Elkin - and Jermaine 'Choo Choo' Mackey.
"First class wants to be the feeder system from the amateur level to the professional level," said event promoter Michelle Minus.
"I feel very good about the crop of boxers that we have. These boxers are the ones who have attended the Carifta Games about three to four times, they have also attended the Pan Ams, the Commonwealth Games, the CAC Games and the Olympic Box-offs in 2000.
"This is a new breed of boxers They are now ready to lift their games to the next level where they will be eligible for a pay day as opposed to just a medal or trophy," she added.
Apparently the jury is still out on 'Big Daddy' Jerry Butler and Mackey because of an appeal on their opportunity to go to the Olympic trials. On what has been termed a blatant and obvious snub by the Amateur Boxing Federation of The Bahamas, neither boxer was selected to go to the trials or even engage in a box-off to earn a spot on the team.
Nevertheless, professional boxing will be back in The Bahamas for the second time in three months. Not only that, but it is promised to be the first show in a series of shows put on by Michelle Minus and First Class Promotions this year. Shows are planned for every ensuing month with the exception of August and September. On the May 29th card in particular, newly crowned WBA Fede Caribe Heavyweight Champion, Sherman 'Tank' Williams will take on Raynaldo Minus in a much anticipated fight at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium for the vacant Bahamian Heavyweight title. All of the events are sanctioned by the Bahamas Boxing Commission.
"Our objective is to re-activate and re-vitalize professional boxing in The Bahamas," said Fred Sturrup, secretary of the Bahamas Boxing Commission.
"Last December ushered in the start of the new era of professional boxing in The Bahamas and we want to encourage the promoters in The Bahamas to get on the train and ride this new revolution of professional boxing.
"I want to thank Michelle Minus and First Class Promotions because what they have done is enable professional boxing to start off on a good foot in 2004. This promotion by First Class Promotions will enable us to become officially involved with the World Boxing Association," he added.
As far February's card is concerned, Elkin Butler, in his pro debut, will take on fellow Bahamian Ricardo 'One Short' Bethel, who won his pro debut over Puerto Rican Jose Maradono on the undercard of the Sherman Williams/Miguel 'El Matador' Otero WBA Fede Caribe Heavyweight title fight last month.
"I have been preparing for this for a little while. I am really excited to get this thing on the go," Butler said.
"I'm a l'il jumpy for having to wait so long but time is going to go by quickly. I am just looking to start my first professional fight with a win and that is how I am looking to come out. Bring your Oaks (Oakley Shades) because I am looking to shine that night," he added.
Wallace, 20, will face fellow Bahamian Dencil 'Death' Miller, 39, (1-1) in his pro debut and Bahamians Alex 'The Great White Hope' Fox (0-1) and Drexel McIntosh will tangle in the ring.
McIntosh, who will also be making his pro debut, wasn't present at the press conference but Fox sent a warning to him saying that he wasn't coming to lose. He then issued a challenged to Mackey to stop running and face him. Miller, one of the older boxers on the card, will be taking on the youngest boxer on the card.
"I just want to let David know that he is the big leagues now and he is going to take big blows now," Miller said.
Young Wallace, who is almost 20 years younger than Miller, wasn't fazed at all by Miller's comments despite being in his first professional fight.
"I'm never scared. Yes, I'm moving on to the next level but I'm always ready. I'm coming and I am going to stick on you like glue," said Wallace, who was sitting on the other end of the table from Miller.
"Even though he is a veteran fighter I love a challenge. There is nothing that has been able to stop me in the past and nothing will stop me now," he added.
'Big Daddy' Jerry Butler and Jermaine 'Choo Choo' Mackey are set to take on American Tracy Williams and Bahamian William Adderley (1-0) respectively but those bouts are pending Butler and Mackey's opportunity to go to the Olympic trials. If Butler is allowed to attend the trials, thereby putting his transition from the amateur to the professional ranks on hold, Bernard Rolle (1-0) will take on the American.
Caption: FIRST CLASS FIGHT - First Class Promotions announced their upcoming pro-boxing card at a press conference held on Thursday at The Zoo Night Club. Pictured from left are: Boxer, Alex Fox; Zoo Night Club Manager, Jamal Rogers, promoter, Michelle Minis and Bahamas Boxing Commission secretary, Fred Sturrup. PHOTO BY KENCOVIA INGRAHAM
Posted: Friday January 30, 2004
