At a recent meeting of top sports and youth leaders, a valid point was made that the way forward, if the potential of the sports industry is to be fully tapped into, is for all involved to adhere to the set conditions and the regulations that control the respective programs.
Promoters being unable to operate strictly in accordance with certain important conditions established by the Bahamas Boxing Commission (BBC), is the major reason for the lack of regular pro boxing promotions. The BBC functions via an Act of Parliament. The guidelines of control are of the order of all of the authority boxing boards in the region and the Commonwealth of Nations.
The act gives commissioners the authority to be flexible in most instances. However, there are some areas that must be monitored closely. There must be insistence by the commission, in order for the body's credibility to remain cemented in place. At the meeting of local leaders, it was lamented that for such a long time, there was the habit of moving around rules, thus resulting in an environment almost across the board, of inefficiency.
In pro boxing here, at times in order to encourage promoters, the commission has been very flexible, and then got betrayed. In 2010, there was such a situation. The show went on without the commission being firm with certain conditions and the result was embarrassment.
For months, the commission received communications from agitated local and foreign representatives of boxers who claimed to have not been paid. Subsequently, the commission determined to endorse a boxing show only with the understanding that the funds for the boxers' purses and fees for the officials would be provided to be held in escrow two weeks in advance of the proposed show date.
Also, there have been cases when the schedule of bouts first presented by the promoter, ended up being adjusted on fight night in a non-complimentary manner. Therefore, it was decided that the condition of the full contracts for all fighters being submitted two weeks prior to the proposed show would be firm. The commission also insists that a medical team is available. The very easy total of $300, normally, covers the sanction for the show and the promoters' fee. That's the lowest combination in the world.
Yet, promoters have had great difficulty getting the contracts of fighters into the commission on time. Also, there has been a problem getting the funds submitted, to be placed in escrow. Responsible for ensuring that all boxing purses and officials' fees are paid is the direct responsibility of the commission. The small population in The Bahamas limits the gate potential. Promoters have been unsuccessful in getting the kind of corporate sponsorships that would enable them to appropriately deal with the conditions of the commission.
So, there is this conundrum. Yet, the commission forges on doing the business of pro boxing control, as mandated by the Act. Courageous promoters continue to step up to the plate, although with less regularity. Pro boxing goes on.
On Friday night at the Rainforest Theatre, inside the Wyndham Nassau Resort, Meacher Major and Brazilian Roger Rosa will headline a boxing show, being jointly organized by the Strikers Boxing Club and Buttons Formal Wear. The sport needs a shot in the arm. Hopefully the action in the ring at the Rainforest Theatre will provide such.
o To respond to this feature, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com

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