The birth place of modern boxing in The Bahamas, the fabled Nassau Stadium, is getting ready to go one more round.
With the late, venerable, and world-wise Charlie Major Sr. as the architect, the Nassau Stadium in the 1960s and 1970s became one of the hallmark boxing arenas in the Americas. Apart from being the platform from which many Bahamian pugilists rose to prominence, the Nassau Stadium also attracted some of the world's best boxers who engaged in exciting matches through the years. A number of attempts have been made to restore the magic of the Nassau Stadium, since the death of the dean of Bahamian boxing back in 1984. However, efforts failed.
Now, it is understood, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has entered into an arrangement for the Nassau Stadium to be used as an added training facility for the boxing population in the country. Presently, the boxing center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex is the main training facility.
Also, the Flamingo Gardens Complex is being prepared for training. Bringing back boxing to the Nassau Stadium, even if initially only in the form of training, reconnects the venue with a glorious portion of the country's sports history. Standout Bahamian super featherweight champion Meacher Major is expected to coordinate the program for the Amateur Boxing Federation of The Bahamas (ABFB).
"I accept the offer," said Major.
"Of course the arrangement has to be satisfying to me, but I'm willing to give it 100-plus percent once the terms are right. I have been informed by federation executives that everything will be handled appropriately. Once that is the case, I'm ready to go. In my mind, as long as the program is not interfered with by the federation, the ministry and the public can expect some good things to develop with the young boys and girls."
With this new situation, the Nassau Stadium has come full circle. A total of 46 years ago when the Amateur Boxing Association of The Bahamas (now federation) was formed, the Nassau Stadium was the home facility. Association Vice President Charlie Major Sr. said simply to his colleagues, "this is your home".
Along with President Virginius Knowles, Secretary Fred Sturrup, Treasurer Amos Ferguson, National Coach Bert Perry and Advisor Rudy Moultrie, Major Sr. proceeded to plant the seed of amateur boxing in the country.
Out of that early program, came pioneer achievers such as Nathaniel Knowles, Kermit Grant, Cephas Bowe, Austin Conyers, Gary Davis, Jeff Davis and Wellington Miller.
Knowles and Gary Davis went on to become the first Bahamian boxers to compete at the Olympics when they were part of Team Bahamas at the Munich Games of 1972. Two years later at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Knowles made history again when he won the first international boxing medal for The Bahamas. He captured the silver medal in the middleweight division.
Now, the stage is set for another group to go through training paces at the stadium. Hopefully everything will fall into place.
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)

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