The current Bahamas Super Featherweight Champion has had a creditable career.
Meacher Major, with his solid showing this past Friday against Brazilian Roger Rosa, turned yet another corner in a career that has seen him notch 21 victories while losing just six times. He has been a regional champion (World Boxing Association Caribbean Federation Lightweight) and a Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) elimination candidate. A real big international title has eluded him.
Does he still have it in him to go further up the ladder of boxing success at the age of 32? It must be acknowledged that 32 used to be an old age for boxers. Now though, it is the era of older ring specialists. A large number of fighters in the late 30s, the 40s and some in the 50s, still are able to get boxing licenses now. Major is a young man compared to those pugilists.
Evident on Friday was the fact that his ring movement is as great as ever. I discovered also that he takes a punch well. Although he slipped and leaned away from much of Roger Rosa's onslaught, the Brazilian did land some blows very solidly. Major shook them off however and in the aftermath said he was not hurt at any time.
I believe that. He never looked hurt, but he did take a few wicked shots. It was as I had predicted. The only strategy that could have brought Rosa victory was a brawl. He wanted a closed-in fight. Built like a tree trunk, Rosa is short but powerful. He had no fear and came out just as he said he would, during pre-fight comments.
I am satisfied that Major
defeated a quality fighter. Subsequently, I have already communicated the results to my colleagues in the Commonwealth Boxing Council. The Interim Meeting of the CBC is scheduled for April of 2014. It is very likely that if Major is able to add another match to the win column within that time, he will be in line for at least, another elimination fight, for the CBC super featherweight or lightweight crown.
Major has handled his career quite sensibly. He has been careful as he made decisions on fights. The biggest disappointment he has had, came against Canadian Logan McGuinness. That was the CBC lightweight eliminator that was also for the North American Boxing Association (NABA) super featherweight title. Now, it looks like he is headed for another CBC opportunity. If there is one big decision Major has to make, it's regarding the weight division he will campaign in for the rest of his career.
He has moved between three divisions actually, super featherweight, lightweight and light welterweight. He fought on Friday against Rosa as a light welter. He seemed stronger and better able to take a punch. Perhaps it would be best for Major to abandon the super featherweight division altogether.
The happy medium for him is the lightweight division. It's a decision he has to make, but will bear heavily on his future. With another victory, he is certain to climb back as a CBC contender in one of the aforementioned weight categories. He has to officially say which is it. Whatever the case, the stage is now set for him to continue his career with conviction. The match against Rosa turned into a good career win.
Go Meacher!
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.
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