Professional boxing is back in The Bahamas for the first time since 2019. First Class Promotions staged a strong card that saw American Jaimie 'The Miracle' Mitchell lifting the World Boxing Association (WBA) International bantam world title at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium on Friday night.

Mitchell won on a split decision over Canadian Lindsay Garbatt to improve her win/loss/draw record to 9-1-2. Garbatt's record dropped to 10-9-2. Mitchell was happy to put on a show for The Bahamas.

"The win feels great to get the win," Mitchell said. "It feels great to get the title and it feels like it is for the black community as well. I have been boxing for quite a bit but not as much as my opponent, but I got excited to be In The Bahamas and it was great to put on for The Bahamas."

Mitchell won 97-93, 97-93 and 95-95. The two boxers put on a show for the fans at the gym for the 10-round match. It started out evenly, but Mitchell turned it up in the last four rounds landing some combinations to the Canadian's body. Garbatt attacked Mitchell a few times, but Mitchell was prepared for her as she defended herself. Mitchell looked like she controlled the 10th round, but Garbatt started attacking more and won that final round 30-28.

"It was a cool match. She is a good opponent. She head-butted me early in the match and it affected my view out of my dominant eye. It took me to the next level, and I had to keep my focus and get what I came here for and that is the WBA title," Mitchell said.

She will return to the ring in the next few months to defend her title.

First Class Promotions head, Michelle Minus said that she was happy with the quality of the fights.

"It was a good night. The fights were excellent, and everyone enjoyed them. Thought the men were going to be a little hesitant to come but they were out in good numbers. The fighters came to fight and gave it their best shot," Munnings said.

Also on the fight card was another bout that was decided by a split decision that saw O'Shea Jones taking down Simone Silva in six rounds in the welterweight division. On paper, Jones was the less experienced fighter by far, but she looked comfortable in the ring and improved her record to 3-0-0. Silva now sports a 17-23-0 record. Jones won 60-53, 65-59 and 57-57.

"She is a former two-time world champion, and this is my third professional fight. I felt like I did good, and it is amazing to come away with the result. I was trying to be careful and to sit down on my punches, but she never gave up," Jones said.

The 25-year-old Jones was impressive as she controlled the fight all night as she put on a clinic for the fans in attendance. She had Silva right where she wanted her all night, which was on the defensive stance and she managed to get some shots in that fight to win. Jones was impressive in the final two rounds to dominate Silva.

"I was trying to get her in the corner, but she was countering me. I was hesitating to get in but when I get in, she took it lightly," Jones said.

First Class Promotions gave Ray Minus Jr. his flowers as they honored him for his contributions to the sport of boxing in The Bahamas over the years. Minus, who suffers from ALS was in attendance and even did a shuffle for fans. The profits made from the night by Bristol Wines and Spirits who ran the bar that night were donated to Minus.

"The people came out and supported Minus despite a busy schedule tonight (Friday)," Munnings said. "We might not have had a bunch of people out but it was a good night and it shows that The Bahamas loves Ray for what he has done for boxing."

There were two exhibition matches that saw Anthony 'Psycho' Woods taking on Adam Sands. The other match saw Kenrick Stuart battling Jaywon Forbes.

Munnings is wasting no time to ensure that there is another boxing event as she looks to do her part in reviving boxing in The Bahamas. She already have an event planned for October 6 that will also be an all-female event that will see a battle for the Commonwealth title.

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