By BRENT STUBBS
Senior Sports Reporter
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE visiting boxers competing on the All-Bahamian professional boxing card tonight at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium are not just excited to be here but are eager to put on a show for the Bahamian fans.
First Class Promotions, headed by Michelle Minus, is promoting the show that will feature American Jaimie ‘The Miracle’ Mitchell against Canadian Lindsay Garbatt for 100 Jamz World Boxing Association’s world middleweight title fight in the main event.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s co-main event will pit American O’Shea Jones against Brazilian Simone Silva.
On hand, as the boxers were officially introduced during the weigh-in ceremony at the Breezes SuperClubs, were WBA supervisor Gloria Martinez-Rizzo, who flew in from Florida to oversee the show and Bahamas Boxing Commission chairman Fred Sturrup.
Mitchell, who hails from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighed in at 118 pounds, two pounds heavier than Garbatt, out of Toronto, Canada.
“It’s amazing. Shout out to the Bahamas. This is a beautiful place.
“I’ve travelled to a couple places in my career, but this is like the first place that I really enjoy,” said Mitchell, who comes in with a 8-1-2 win-loss, draw record.
Despite all that she has experienced so far, Mitchell said it will not derail her from her mission in the ring tonight.
“I’m definitely focused and locked in on the fight,” said Mitchell, who is coming off a loss. “Sometimes the loss allows you to recognise what is going on around you, so you have to refocus and get back to where you were.”
As for Garbatt, who hails out of Toronto with a 9-9-2 record, she said she couldn’t ask for First Class Promotions to put on the championship fight in such a wonderful place.
“I think you will get a very exciting fight. Me and Jaimie both like to fight.
“I think it’s going to be a good show. I have a great team back home and I’ve been bridesmaid getting one of our other fighters ready, so I am honestly looking forward to doing my thing here.”
The fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and Garbatt said it has to go the distance and she’s prepared to slug it out.
The co-main event is set for eight rounds.
Jones, a native of Philadelphia, now fighting out of Toledo, Ohio, weighed in at 147 pounds, well over Silva, who was pegged at 138 pounds.
The Olympic bronze medallist is competing in just her third pro fight, but she’s eager to display her skills.
“I feel like I have something to prove. It’s different from the amateurs,” Jones said.
“I’m converting myself to the professional ranks, so I have to be calmer, settling down with my shots and getting established.”
Fighting outside of the United States has put some added pressure on Jones, but she’s confident that her work in the ring will compensate for it.
But she admitted that she’s also distracted by the beauty of the Bahamas.
“It’s so beautiful here. I love it here. It’s more peaceful here, calmer and more relaxed. I’m from the city so there’s a lot more construction and loud noises. I want to move here,” she stated.
Silva, speaking through Martinez-Rizzo as an interpreter, said she’s happy to be here and she wants to thank Minus for giving her the opportunity to compete on the show.
She comes in with a 17-22-0 record out of Sao Paulo, Brazil, but assured the Bahamian fans that she’s looking forward to making it a long night for Mitchell.
Joining the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture, as well as Tourism, are:
100 Jamz/The Tribune Newspaper, Bahamian Brewery/Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits, Easy Car Sales, Breezes, ZNS, The Nassau Guardian, JCN/Love 97, Cable Bahamas Sports,. Nirvana Beach, Nassau Agencies, Sun Time, Doc’s Pharmacy, Ron’s Radiator, Original Patties, Daine’s Guest House, Eddie Electric Company Limited, Heastie’s Service Station and Battery & Tire Specialists..
Tickets, priced at $35 for general admission and $125 for VIP seating, are still available online at www.bahamas tickets.com or at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 8 pm.
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