KINGSTON, Jamaica — The bell has rung, the gloves are laced, and the spotlight is back. After a one-year hiatus, the high-energy Wray & Nephew Fight Night Series has officially returned, promising a thrilling line-up of boxing action on June 28 at Ferdie Neita Park in Portmore, St. Catherine.
Tuesday’s electrifying launch event at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records restaurant in Kingston reaffirmed the powerful partnership between the Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) and iconic spirits brand Wray & Nephew—a collaboration aimed at elevating both community engagement and Jamaica’s boxing legacy.
A card packed with firepower
The 2025 season opener boasts a spectacular fight card. Two explosive professional fights headline the evening, preceded by eight riveting amateur bouts across five weight classes: Welterweight, Light-welterweight, Middleweight, Light-heavyweight, and Cruiserweight.
In a nod to regional inclusion and gender diversity, the line-up also features a female bout, highlighting a competitor from the Cayman Islands.
Wray & Nephew’s knockout commitment
Kerry Ann Bryan, Brand Manager at Wray & Nephew, could barely contain her excitement at Tuesday’s launch.
“We are just excited to be part of yet another special season of Wray and Nephew Fight Nights,” she declared. “We are also just excited to be a part of the greatness and just to see the development of the boxers, to see them come out and fight.”
She warmly extended an open invitation to fans, encouraging them to join the festivities: “We’re inviting fans to come out and enjoy some Wray and Nephew specials, bring friends and colleagues, and just come out and have a great time.”
Beyond entertainment, Bryan emphasized the company’s broader mission: “We believe in community involvement and development of players. We sponsor football, and boxing is another sport that we see doing really well in Jamaica. With the goal of reaching the 2028 Olympics, we are on that train with the Jamaica Boxing Board.”
A flagship platform for Jamaica’s best
JBA President Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones echoed Bryan’s sentiments, heralding the event as a pinnacle in the national boxing calendar.
“Fight Night is back and we are excited because what it represents is the culmination of the monthly shows we’ve been having. This is where we separate the cream of the crop.”
Jones explained that the series not only spotlights elite fighters but also complements the JBA’s broader Futures Programme aimed at nurturing rising talent:
“What we want to do is bring the best of each category to the public and the communities that we go into.”
Curated combat: The matchmaker’s vision
National boxing coach Felipe Sanchez, architect of the event’s matchups, guaranteed an evening of high-octane action.
“As usual, you can expect an action-packed fight card. It’s the culmination of all the fights the Jamaica Boxing Board has been putting on. Now, we’ve pitted the best of the best from across the island.”
Sanchez credited Wray & Nephew for bringing flavor and energy to the event:
“They are literally the spirit of the sport. Anything they’re involved in has a lot of vibes. And boxing in Jamaica remains unique—with the dancing girls in between rounds and DJs keeping the crowd hyped.”
Iron man vs The technician: A clash of styles
One of the professional showdowns to watch is between Juzier “Iron Man” Heron and Dwayne Lawrence of the Sanchez Promotion Gym.
Heron approached the matchup with cool confidence and strategic intent:
“Honestly, I’m just going to be taking the fight as it comes. If I realize he’s a southpaw, I’ll fight him accordingly. If it’s a guy who gases out quickly, I’ll finish him quickly. It’s not complicated.”
And when asked whether he believed he could defeat his opponent?
“One hundred percent.”
Lawrence, by contrast, offered a more methodical approach:
“I come out with a game plan to outbox Juzier. I just wanna box him on the outside, keep him at a distance, do the body work when I reach him, and then come back out and regroup.”
He added: “I don’t wanna take it too quick. I wanna take my time, outbox him, score my points, and if a knockout comes, I’ll take it.”
Wray & Nephew Fight Night represents far more than just pugilistic spectacle—it’s a crucible for talent, a celebration of culture, and a statement of ambition. With the eyes of the local sporting world turning to Ferdie Neita Park on June 28, Jamaica’s fighters, fans, and sponsors are ready to prove that boxing’s future is burning bright in the Caribbean.
