The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TWO OF the country’s foremost amateur youth boxing clubs continue to use their sport to foster community involvement and honour past legends of the ring.

The Major Pain and Champion Amateur Boxing Clubs will host the first “Baby Boy Rolle Boxing Extravaganza” on Saturday at Salem Park, Kemp Road at 7pm.

Meacher “Major Pain” Major continues to make the transition to coaching and said the tournament seeks to serve several purposes in his native Kemp Road community.

 “It is a collaborative effort between Champion Club and Major Pain in nation building - for us this is a community effort,” Major said. “What we are really trying to do is to get some of the youth to get together and do something positive. What is really important about it is for the people in Kemp Road to come out and support them and to let them have a fanbase so people can see them showcase their skills.”

Both clubs hosted a promotional workout session in Salem Park on Tuesday afternoon to draw interest from onlookers, which included prospective parents and young fighters.

“It is very important that we give the community a preview of what we are doing with the club. We are not just a boxing programme where they will come and spend a few hours where we just teach kids boxing but we are trying to create better men and better boxing in this country,” Major said.

“A lot of parents saw us working out, they were interested and the kids were interested. It gave them a little insight on the club and I think we will get some new members out of this.”

He said the venture was fitting to honour Abraham “Baby Boy Rolle” Kirkwood, who was a pillar of the Bahamian boxing and Kemp Road communities.

A light heavyweight fighter for much of his career, he finished his 22-year career from 1960 to 1982, with a record of 36-17-2.

“Baby Boy Rolle is from the community and has helped paved the way for the sport of boxing. I always used to see him and I learned about him from my father well before I ever met him or I stepped in the ring myself. We wanted to be able to bring history behind it so they can learn that people before them,” Major said.

“We are looking to have a great show and host about eight fights. We just want to bring awareness for the kids in the community. We are facing some problems as we know but getting out here on the park and showcase some local talent will give people a sense of pride in their community.”

Major, who turned professional in 2000 after a successful amateur career under the tutelage of Champion Boxing Club director Ray Minus Jr, recently returned to the ring last month with a second round technical knockout of Martin ‘Ironfist’ Anderson. 

“With all of the problems going on in our country, I just want to be able to help the youth in our society.

“I just want to continue what I’ve always been doing with the youths in our society. With the club, I can get some more competitive boxers in the amateur system,” Major said.

“It’s about that generation and inspiring them because the young guys I train they inspire me. There are a lot of great upcoming young fighters that are really sharp.”