Once again, popular Bahamian professional boxer Meacher "Major Pain" Major is hosting his annual Christmas party for the youth, but this year there will be a different approach and focus at the event. Major said that instead of the traditional format of just giving out gifts, they want to reach out to the youngsters of the Kemp Road community and help instill good Christian values.
The extravaganza is set for this Saturday at his Strachan's Alley residence, which is off Kemp Road. "We're actually getting started from Friday because there is so much that we need to do. We want to start with a clean-up campaign and then we're looking at establishing a basketball court and setting up a park area where these young kids could go and enjoy themselves in something constructive," said Major.
"Our main focus is to put some values into them rather than just giving them gifts. We want to come together and try to resolve some of the issues that are going on. These youngsters need to see the sacrifices that their parents and some of their grandparents made. Nothing in life is easy and that is what we are trying to teach them. Some way, somehow, we are going to win back the youth in this society."
The 4th Annual Meacher Major Christmas Party will get underway at 10 a.m. and will continue into the evening. Major said that food and drinks will be available for the youngsters on Saturday. Also, he said that one of their goals this year is to help the young people plant some crops so the kids would know what it means to provide for themselves.
"We want to set them up to the point where they can do for themselves moving forward - teach them how to have the finer qualities in life, especially the young men," said Major. "The struggles continue for the youth of the nation. Right now, we still have a lot of work to do to turn this thing around. We want to encourage these youngsters to open bank accounts for themselves and have some sort of savings so by the time they finish school, they would have something for themselves.
"We're just trying to let them understand what it means to have the better qualities of life instead of going out there and living a life of crime. We have a lot of work to do and I'm not leaving from this community until the situation is solved." As far as his professional career is concerned, Major said that he intends to get back in the ring as early as February. Major, 18-4-1, last fought on August 13 this year when he defeated Cuban Alex Perez at the Nassau Stadium. He now fights under a promotional company that he is part of, Major Promotions and Entertainment.
"I decided to take my career into my own hands," said Major. "I'm grateful to God for the opportunity. I have to thank guys like Kurtwood Greene and my trainer Nathaniel Knowles for keeping me active in the sport. "Those are the guys who are working with me and getting me prepared to step back in the ring. I want to thank Ray Minus Jr. as well because he is keeping the amateur program going. I want to thank my family - they have always supported me and they continue to support me.
"Thanks to my parents Anthony and Patrice Major, and all my extended family and friends. I want to thank my sponsors as well. Byron Collins from Central Bank and Murray's Souse House have assisted me over the years and I am grateful for that." Major is hopeful of fighting for the British Commonwealth title next year and becoming just the fourth Bahamian to win such a title.
"My goal is still to eventually win a world title and take boxing in this country to where it has never been before," he said. "My number one motive next year is to win the British Commonwealth title. Boxing has been great to me and it still is. I love the sport and will continue to help the youth out and give back to the community in any way that I can."
Major said that he is awaiting confirmation from the Bahamas Boxing Commission and the Commonwealth Boxing Council as to when he will have that opportunity to fight an elimination bout for the British Commonwealth title.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
