‘Bunny’ Grant’s house gets fresh look
Former Jamaica boxing champion George ‘Bunny’ Grant was on Wednesday presented with a key to his newly refurbished home by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange.
“Before Lennox Lewis, before Mike McCallum, before Shrimpy Clarke, there was Bunny Grant,” the minister said while speaking at the hand-over ceremony.
The pioneer Jamaican boxer, who won several titles in his 19-year career, is best remembered for winning the British Empire (Commonwealth) Lightweight Title at the National Stadium in Kingston, by defeating Dave Charnley of the United Kingdom on August 4, 1962 — two days before Jamaica become an Independent nation.
“As we celebrate Jamaica 55, we look back at the journey of our nation in every area of endeavour. We remember and tell the stories of the people who helped to create the Jamaica we enjoy today. Bunny Grant is one of them. He was there at the beginning,” Grange.
The refurbishing project was undertaken by the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) at a cost of $3.9 million.
According to Grange, renovating Bunny Grant’s home is a way of saying “thank you once more to this outstanding Jamaican who always displayed the will to win.
“A grateful nation is giving back. We have worked to ensure that this pioneer of brand Jamaica sport knows how much we love him and appreciate him,” the minister said.
Bunny Grant has a ring record of 52 wins, 15 losses and 5 draws — 14 of his victories came by way of knockout.