‘Frog’ Holmes, Reyes to feature in Contender series opening
Two-time Contender finalist Richard “Frog” Holmes will face the music in tonight’s opening of the 2018 Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum’s The Contender boxing series at the Chinese Benevolent Association Auditorium. He goes up against Canadian Lloyd Reyes.
Gates are set to open at 7:00 pm.
In conjunction with the feature fight between Holmes and Reyes there will also be two three-round amateur bouts on the under card with the first slated to start 8:30 pm. The main event between Holmes and Reyes is scheduled for five rounds.
Holmes, who has six years’ experience in the series, is tipped to win this year’s edition. Mixed martial arts specialist Reyes, who is making his boxing debut, is seen as the perfect match to launch the series.
The Contender will again offer 16 professional bouts that will once again pit eight Jamaican boxers against eight Canadian counterparts. Last year’s series was won by Sakima Mullings. The victory by Mullings brought the title back to Jamaica following American DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley’s victory over Holmes the previous year.
This year’s Contender fights will be confined to the 147lb welterweight division. For tonight’s fight, the weigh-in saw both Holmes and Reyes tip the scale at 145 lbs.
The opening fight between Holmes and Reyes promises much excitement. Holmes, who has a ring record of 16 pro fights with eight wins, is regardeed as a straight boxer. Not much is known of Reyes who has a win from seven amateur fights.
Despite being an MMA fighter, Reyes thinks that he has enough experience in the ring to take care of himself.
“I am more adept in the field of the martial arts. However, my main reason for taking up boxing is the desire to become more of a complete fighter,” he said.
Holmes spoke confidently ahead of the bout.
“At present I am in good boxing shape; I think I am ready for this fight because I have been training for four months straight,” said the Jamaican.
“He [Reyes] is here to fight. He wants to win. But that will not make any difference to me,” Holmes added.
— Hurbun Williams