Hurricane Melissa may have battered communities across Jamaica, but the spirit of the nation’s boxing fraternity refused to be knocked down.
On Thursday evening, against the lively backdrop of Tracks & Records, the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) and Wray & Nephew unveiled their grand finale for 2025: an action-heavy Fight Night designed not only to entertain, but to uplift.
This December 13 staging at Constant Spring football field will showcase 10 clashes, including three professional bouts and a robust line-up of amateur match-ups, creating one of the most ambitious cards of the year.
Bowen promises violence: “Flat pan him back or flat pan him face”
Among the fighters who took center stage was light heavyweight Jermaine Bowen, his message as sharp as a jab to the chin. Bowen is gearing up for a showdown with Julio “Dom Rep Bomber” Guerrero, and his prediction left no room for negotiation.
“He’s a good opponent. He’s a come forward fighter, that’s why mi a go put him on the canvas come December the 13th,” Bowen warned. “Straight knockout fi him. Two place him can end up, flat pan him back or flat pan him face, noway else.”
Bowen leaned further into his vow of destruction, calling on fans to witness the mayhem firsthand:
“…come out, come see pure demolition at this fight. We just ah go in deh go destroy mi opponent completely, wreck him. Me ago make him experience Melissa ’cause he wasn’t here. So come December the 13th, pure destruction and fireworks.”
A three-fight pro slate anchors the night
Joining Bowen on the professional side of the bill is unbeaten super welterweight technician Juzier “Iron Man” Heron, set to exchange leather with Jonaury Moreta of the Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, the light heavyweight division will welcome the debut of Daniel Hylton as he squares off with Demar Haslam, adding an element of new blood to the card.
JBA president Stephen “Bomber” Jones described the event as something of a miracle victory in itself.
“I personally never thought that we’d be having another fight card after Melissa,” Jones confessed. But the collective will of the boxing community made it impossible to abandon the idea. “Everybody called for it… not only for the fight, but to use it as a platform to help build back… I think it carries a lot of weight… one that I think will end the year well.”
Western camp battles trauma with grit
For those in western Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa’s impact was personal and severe. Coach Jasmine Graham spoke movingly about the realities facing her athletes.
“Some of them, they actually lost their roof… some don’t have clothes… majority of them, they don’t have food,” she shared. The gym, she said, became their sanctuary. “A lot of them, they are mentally distraught… but like I said, we are resilient.”
Two of her amateurs will showcase that resilience on the upcoming card.
A medical milestone for Jamaica
The evening also highlighted a major advancement for local boxing. The PanAm Boxing Confederation has named Dr. Andre McDonald, longtime ringside physician, to the prestigious Medical and Anti-Doping Committee.
Dr. McDonald called the appointment transformative: “It is very, very significant for Jamaica… It simply means that Jamaica has a foot in before it happens… so we can position our boxing and boxers for the future.”
Wray & Nephew turns Fight Night into relief mission
Brand manager Kerry Ann Bryan confirmed that the event carries a humanitarian mission as well as athletic purpose.
“This is a special edition,” she noted. “We’re asking persons who are coming to bring their hurricane relief items… canned foods, solar lights, blankets… If you can’t bring items, you can bring a $500 donation… for VIP, it’s $5,000.”
Her message was clear: supporting the boxers means supporting the communities they come from.
A coalition of sponsors steps forward
Backing the venture is a wide coalition of partners, including Doctor’s Cave Club, Sandals Foundation, KFC, Knutsford Express, Ultra Medical Services, Good Life Water, Caledonia Outdoor Advertising, Vere Events, and the Kingston YMCA.
Together, they aim to deliver a night of sport that symbolizes restoration, resilience, and renewed momentum.
