The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The stage is now set for Friday night’s ‘Pain and Glory’ professional boxing match at Wyndham Nassau Resort.

Brazilian boxer Roger Rosa, a 29-year-old with a 6-2 record, is scheduled to arrive in town today for his much anticipated clash with 32-year-old Meacher ‘Pain’ Major (20-6) in the main event of the show, scheduled to start at 8pm in the Rain Forest Theatre.

This will mark just the second time that a Bahamian will meet a Mexican, following legendary Everett ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson’s historic triumph in 1975 when he defeated Miguel De Oliveira for the World Boxing Council’s light middleweight championship title in Paris, France, in the 11th round of their scheduled 15-round bout. 

That fight enabled Ferguson to become the first and only Bahamian to win a world boxing title.

The show, organised by Ronn Rodgers and his Strikers Boxing Club and Tommy Stubbs of Buttons Formal Wear, will feature two other pro fights on the undercard. American Mike ‘Money’ Sawyer will take on Cuban native Alex Perez and Dencil “Death” Miller will meet youngster Lester Brown in a Bahamian grudge match.

At the recent press conference at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Centre, Embassy of Brazilian Charge d’Affaires Alexander Silveria welcomed Rosa to the Bahamas and he noted that his visit will serve as a big step in fostering a sporting relationship between the two countries.

“Only time will determine whether Major and Rosa will foster any type of relationship when the final bell sounds off,” Stubbs said.

During the press conference, Rosa said there’s no way that he’s going to come from a country with 200 million people and allow someone from an island of 500 people to beat him. In return, Major said he will wait until Friday night to avenge Rosa’s disrespect of him in his hometown.

Ray Minus Jr, who was responsible for Major’s genesis into the sport as an amateur and at the start of his pro career, suggested that Rosa apologise before the fight because it’s obvious, he doesn’t know what type of punishment he will receive from his protégé on fight night.

Stubbs, a former softball and baseball player who is making his debut as a boxing promoter, said they are just waiting for Friday to come.

“From day one, it was important to create an international flavour to this event. We have boxers on the card from the Bahamas, United States, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Cuba who will appear on the fight card,” said Tommy Stubbs, general manager of Button’s Formal Wear, who is promoting the show along with Ronn Rodgers of the Strikers Boxing Club.

“At this moment, we are still trying to find a competitive opponent for a professional female boxer, who is in the Bahamas from Belgium.”

Stubbs was referring to Yolaine Lindelauf, the European Boxing Union’s flyweight title holder and a two-time Belgium champion in kickboxing, who is currently in town training at Ray Minus Jr’s club.

Whether or not that fight comes off, Stubbs said they are still looking at putting on a top notch show.

“We are doing everything within our financial means, business skills and talents to promote and produce a quality event for everyone in attendance to enjoy and remember,” he said. “The support and attendance we receive on Friday will determine the future of live boxing in the Bahamas, whether professional or amateur.

“Everything is going according to our plans. The rest now is up to the sporting fans, especially the boxing fans, to come out and support this special event which is more than just boxing. It’s about showing the organisers, coaches and boxers how much you appreciate their efforts. That’s what we would like to see on Friday night.”

Some of the country’s finest amateur boxers will see action against American counterparts prior to the pro card.

“They are very excited about competing. It has been a challenge to find suitable opponents for these amateur boxers, so some will not get to fight Friday, which is also disappointing to us. We wish we could have all of them fight before the pro card,” Stubbs said.

“Some of these amateurs will represent the Bahamas one day soon in international competition, such as the Olympics. We will get a chance to see how good our amateurs fighters are and how they are developing to compete on the international scene.”

Stubbs, who has been instrumental in organising the successful Buttons Bridal Show over the years, said they couldn’t select a better venue than the Rain Forest Theatre.

“The setting in the Rain Forest Theatre at Wyndham Nassau Resort will be unique for boxing in the Bahamas. It will give the impression of boxing matches as one would see in sporting or performance arenas in other countries or in the movies where there is a balcony and box seating,” he said.

“This venue was chosen to create the right Vegas-style atmosphere where people would also feel safer to truly enjoy a sporting event. We are also expecting a decent turnout from our visitors.”

The event will be broadcast live on ZSR all-sports radio station and shown on local TV in the future and around the world via the Internet.