The Bahamas Boxing Commission plans to resume its hall of fame program in the very near future. Established in 2009, the local boxing hall of fame made an historic entrance on the national sports scene when Elisha Obed, Yama Bahama and Gomeo Brennan were inducted.
Inductees Bert Perry and Wilfred "Battling" Douglas were enshrined in 2011. Like with other organizations, funding challenges stalled the program, but Chairman Alvin Sargent said recently that the primary item on the 2014-2015 fiscal year agenda will be the third induction ceremony.
"There are so many within the boxing family who have contributed to the national sports development. Our hall of fame is a way to give the inductees a good feeling for all of the hard work and sacrifices during their careers. The boxing hall of fame program will return in 2015," said Sargent.
The group of stalwart boxing family members, from whom will come the next inductees include the following: Leonard "Boston Blackie" Miller, "Baby Boy" Rolle, "Sugar" Cliff, Vogal "Bobo" Reckley, Wendall Newton, Ray Minus Jr., Cleveland "KO" Paris, Ray Minus Sr., Wilfred Coakley, Wellington "Sonny Boy" Rahming, Steve Larrimore, Roy Armbrister, Chris Malakius, Douglas Carey, Sammie Isaacs, George Knowles, Stoney Godet, Wendall "Grumpy" Mortimer and "Tidal Wave" Duncanson.
The aforementioned and others helped to define the modern era of sports in The Bahamas. Several of them including Cliff, Newton and Reckley campaigned for most of their careers, abroad. Rolle and Minus Jr. were for the most part based at home, but also fought on a number of occasions each, on foreign soil.
The others excited local audiences and were linked to history in particular through great matches waged at the fabled boxing arenas, the Oakes Field Hanger and the Nassau Stadium. "Boston Blackie", in particular, thrilled fans for many years as his career spanned parts of three decades. He won Bahamian championships in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
"We want to make this third edition of the hall of fame very special. There will be lead-up events that will include all of the candidates. Then, at some point, we will announce the finalists and then finally, the inductees for the class of 2015. I'm eager for the experience. Having events that would make it possible for boxing people to get together and talk about old times, will be a way to put some excitement into the sport," said Sargent.
The resumption of the hall of fame program will indeed serve to bring some excitement back into pro boxing and put it in the spotlight. The commission also intends to salute the current group of boxers who are active in the role of sporting ambassadors for the country. Sargent informed that tentatively the hall of fame event is scheduled to take place in March of next year. More details are forthcoming.
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)
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