Grand finale!
Sakima Mullings could become a two-time winner of the Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum Contender boxing series when he goes up against tough Canadian gloveman Phil Rose for the junior middleweight title, on a three-fight card, at the Mico University College grounds today, at 8:30 pm.
However, Don Nelson, who has coached Rose for 21 years, expresses the view that the fight will not go the full distance, as they have discovered certain weaknesses in Mullings’ armoury that could lead to a knockout.
According to Rose “when Mullings makes a mistake I will seize the opportunity to capitalise”.
A laughing Mullings dismissed Nelson’s view as being unfounded and far-fetched.
“I have never been knocked down in all my fights, as I am blessed with a solid chin. And make no mistake, I will go the distance if the need arises,” Mullings said.
At yesterday’s weigh-in Mullings, who came in at 154 in his semi-final bout and looked a bit sluggish, weighed in two pounds less. Rose, who has a knockout option pending, weighed in at one pound more than on last, at 153 lbs.
Mullings defeated perennial semi-finalist Tsetsi Davis to book his place in this year’s final for a second time. Mullings also defeated Davis for the title in 2014, and at the weigh-in looked finely tuned and supremely confident for the landmark showdown.
Rose, who was a reputed slow starter in his fights, came to the wicket against Richard Holmes in the second semi-final.
At present, Mullings is being prepared for combat by trainer Gilbert Vaz and advisor Willie Yap.
Mullings has a ring record of 25 fights with 22 wins against three defeats, while Rose has a ring record of 9 wins against four losses and one draw.
The “Best of the Best” Contender Series offers the major share of $3,000,000.
Sixteen boxers took part and, in the elimination stages, fought four stages of 15 fights to determine a winner, as the preliminary rounds were being fought over five rounds and the two semi-finals match fought over seven rounds.
The final bout to decide a winner will be fought over 10 rounds, and the winner will rake in the major share of $2,000,000. The runner-up will pocket $500,000, with third and fourth places gathering $250,000 and $200,000, respectively.
A tough undercard encounter, featuring former Contender champion of two years ago Kemahl Russell, will further highlight the three-fight programme, as he faces Trinidad and Tobago boxer Nigel Lawrence over 8 rounds.