Major ready to step into the ring with Rosa

Tue, Dec 3rd 2013, 01:36 PM

With just under two weeks to go before he jumps into the ring in a fight that could certainly define his career, Bahamian Super Featherweight Champion Meacher 'Major Pain' Major said that he is indeed ready to go, and make the entire Bahamas proud.
Major is scheduled to fight Brazilian Roger Rosa in a six-round main event on Friday December 13, at the Rainforest Theatre in the Wyndham Nassau Resort. The show, dubbed "Pain and Glory", is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start, and is being staged by Buttons Bridal & Formal Wear Ltd. in conjunction with the Strikers Boxing Club.
Major's trainer, former Bahamian Olympic boxer Nathaniel 'Nat' Knowles, said his protege Major could step into the ring now if he needs to. As for his opponent who was here in The Bahamas recently, Major didn't have much to say, but he did say that he got a chance to watch him on YouTube, and was impressed by what he saw.
"Rosa is no pushover. He isn't going to just lay down and give you the fight," said Major. "I think that he is looking to get a world title fight as soon as possible, so this should be a great match."
Venturing into the promotional business for the first time, Buttons General Manager, Tommy Stubbs, said that he is looking forward to a grand event.
"We will treat his opponent, Mr. Rosa, and his boxing team with respect, and give them a warm reception upon their arrival here in Nassau. All other boxers on the fight card, Bahamians and foreigners, will be well taken care of," said Stubbs. "We look forward to the production of 'Pain and Glory', which we know will be enjoyed by hundreds in attendance, and millions around the world through the Internet and social media."
Stubbs said that he got involved in the boxing business because he felt that there was something that he could give to the sport to help in its development here in The Bahamas.
"When I see that there are so many talented young fighters in this country, I feel as though maybe I could lend something to the sport and to this event," he said. "Once I got involved, I began to get all kind of requests from Bahamians and foreigners. It excites me to know that it's popular, that I feel wanted, and I couldn't say no. Usually when things get in my blood, I like to go on and do it."
Stubbs said that he was initially approached by Major about five years ago to stage a professional show, and after a lot of deliberation and hesitation, he decided to give it a go.
Major comes into the fight with an overall win/loss/draw record of 20-6-1 (17 KOs), while his Brazilian opponent Rosa stands at 5-4-1.
The undercard is expected to feature about six to eight fights, including the co-main event, Mike Sawyer, who fights out of Orlando, Florida, going up against Alex Perez, who fights out of Miami, Florida, in a four-rounder; a women's professional bout, and a number of amateur fights featuring young fighters from Strikers and the Champion Amateur Boxing Club (CABC).
Female boxer Yolaine 'Pitbull' Lindelauf, who will be fighting on the undercard, said that she is looking forward to a good fight. Lindelauf, who is trained by Ray Minus Jr., comes into the fight with a 6-1 win/loss record. She is originally from Belgium, but trains and lives here in The Bahamas.
"I hope it is a good fight," she said. "I just want to thank the organizers for putting me on the card, and I can assure you that I will be ready. I've been training very hard, and I feel like I cannot disappoint Mr. Minus. I will definitely give it all that I have. I feel very confident."
Bahamian standout professional Taureano Johnson is looking to get a fight on the card as well. He said that he would love to take on Bahamian Super Middleweight Champion Jermaine 'Choo Choo' Mackey, and now that there is a promoter, they can go ahead and make it happen.
"Well, I'd come up in weight to fight 'Choo Choo' Mackey, and then Ryan McKenzie and whoever else is out there," said Johnson yesterday. "'Choo Choo' said that he has a belt, and he is willing to put up the title if there is a promoter. Here we have a promoter so I am saying to him, 'let's get this thing going'. My aim and objective is that I don't want to just be the best in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, but I want to be the best in the world. This is the route that I have to go through, so this is the road that I am going to take."
Stubbs said that they would love to get Johnson on the card, but if they are unsuccessful in finding an opponent for him, they will certainly be looking at staging a show with him as the headliner in the future.
"Taureano says that he has never fought here before, and it hurts his heart to know that he fought about a dozen fights overseas and won all of them, but hasn't fought here at home. Hopefully, we could get him a fight here real soon," said Stubbs. "He deserves to fight for quality money. Most of our fighters are good enough to fight on the world stage, but we have to continue to support them."
The total purse of the event was not revealed, but about $1,000 in prizes will be up for grabs on fight night, and tickets will start from as low as $25. VIP tickets will be sold for $50. Fighters rumored to make an appearance on the undercard are Wilson Theophile, and amateur standouts Kendrick Stuart, Tyrone Oliver, Deangelo Swaby and Lester Brown.
Three persons will be honored at the event - boxing contributors Fernley Palmer and Michelle Minus, and Bahamian kickboxer D.C. Pratt, who recently won a U.S. title.
The show is sanctioned by the Bahamas Boxing Commission, and Bahamasair is one of the chief partners on board. Stubbs said that they are welcoming other sponsors to come on board as well.

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