CURRENT president and immediate past president of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC) Stephen ‘Bomber’ Jones and William Tavares-Finson have described the passing of C Lloyd Allen, the former two-time JBBC president and also chairman of INSPORTS as a great loss to the boxing fraternity.

“I for one will miss his insightful advice and guidance,” said Jones yesterday.

C Lloyd Allen died on Tuesday night.

“The advancement of Jamaica boxing ran deep in the veins of C Lloyd,” Jones said. “So deep that he will be trying to guide my every effort to continue the process from up above. He was truly a strong advocate for the advancement of Jamaican boxing and its boxers. His advice was indispensable and his guidance will be missed and I truly respected the man’s resolve,” Jones said.

Tavares-Finson, in his release to the media yesterday, noted that Allen passed away at his Norbrook home on Tuesday night after a brief illness.

“His love of the sport was passionate to say the least, and he was a fixture at all major cards and even minor ones. To say he was outspoken with respect to boxing is an understatement, but we can’t question the fact that he had the sport coursing through his veins,” noted Tavares-Finson.

“As the person who brought me into the administration of boxing in Jamaica, and who kept the interest alive in me through the years, he will be greatly missed.

“On a personal note, he was a good friend and anyone he thought of as his friend he stood by them through thick and thin, for those who weren’t, well let’s say he wasn’t a diplomat,” added the immediate past president of the JBBC.

An ardent Munro old boy who never failed to make it known, C Lloyd was instrumental in bringing about the Sunshine Showdown World Heavyweight title fight between George Foreman who was fighting for the title for first time after 37 pro fights and champion ‘Smokin’ Joe Frasier on January 22, 1973 in Kingston.

C Lloyd was also instrumental in securing 32 Victoria Avenue to house the present Stanley Couch Boxing Gymnasium that was once the Dragon Gym.

D&G, who sponsored Dragon Gym during its operation, ceased sponsorship and C Lloyd, who at the time worked at D&G, approached Paul Geddes it was reported, to talk with his cousin Stanley Couch who owned the property to let the Gym continue, but in the name of Stanley Couch.

And so Dragon Gym was replaced by the Stanley Couch Gym to continue as the Madison Square Garden of Kingston boxing activities.