Veteran ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr believes Jamaica can become a hub for international boxing following on the success of last Saturday night’s ‘Rumble on Jamrock’ that was staged at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
He is also of the view that Jamaica’s Nicholas Walters, the WBA featherweight champion, can become a catalyst for developing more quality boxers in the country.
Lennon Jr announced on two fights Saturday including the main event in which the 26-year-old Walters scored a seventh-round technical knockout over Colombian fighter Daulis Prescott, becoming the first Jamaican to win a world boxing title on home soil.
“There is no question about it; the facilities are here, it’s a beautiful location. Everyone wants to come to Jamaica so why not come for boxing,” said the announcer who popularised the phrase ‘It’s Showtime’.
“What’s exciting is that with Nicholas Walters winning, there will be more interest in boxing here because I think that’s what Jamaica needs, a growing boxing programme where young kids can find a way to train, to discipline themselves, and use their God-given skills in the ring to better themselves for an opportunity to be like Nicholas Walters. And when you have a growing boxing community, an interested boxing community that’s what brings it to the next level as well, not just international fights.”
The man, who has seen many of the world’s best fighters up close having announced on mega fights like Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield and Winky Wright versus Felix Trinidad, was impressed with the new WBA featherweight champion’s performance on the night. Walters dropped Prescott twice before stopping him for good 35 seconds into the seventh round with a crisp overhand right.”
