GC Foster Boxing Fiesta gives high school and junior fighters valuable ring time

High school boxers and junior club fighters were among the amateur athletes who took the spotlight at the GC Foster Boxing Fiesta, staged recently on the institution’s grounds in Spanish Town. The event gave young Jamaican fighters competitive rounds while organisers promoted boxing as another pathway for youth development.

Mauricia Palmer of St. Andrew Technical High School, who also represents Lions Den and GC Foster Boxing Club, was among the few female fighters on the card. Palmer marked her debut with a surprise win over Diana Hill of Fit Like a Fighter Club. She said she entered the bout wanting to enjoy the experience and was thankful to come away with the result, while acknowledging she felt she could have done more.

Jasmine Graham, who assists with Palmer’s preparation, said Wayne Roberts remains Palmer’s original coach, while she helped as technical coach. Graham said the ringside plan was set before the bout and Palmer carried it out.

Frank Court High fighters Mark Andre Mendes and Tan Henry also featured on the night. One of the athletes described the atmosphere as intense, with bright lights and a vocal crowd, but said the experience was positive. Coach Luron Webb welcomed the opportunity, saying it allowed his young fighters to get valuable rounds after a busy year.

Cody Murphy of Fit Like a Fighter Club also reflected on his outing, saying he had to adjust after being caught by combinations because he was not moving his head enough. Murphy said he was pleased to secure the win, adding that he had not expected a technical knockout.

Fit Like a Fighter head coach Odane Taylor said junior boxers had waited a long time for an event of that kind, noting that some had trained for months and others for years. Other boxing stakeholders praised GC Foster and Roberts for creating exposure in a sport they said needs stronger support.

The fight night was organised by final-year Bachelor of Science students at GC Foster. Roberts, chairman of the organising committee, said the programme will continue under the Gloves Over Guns initiative and will be taken into communities as organisers try to steer inner-city youth toward sport and away from violence.