Story by: Private Tradeen Foster,

For the second year running, the First Battalion the Jamaica Regiment (1JR), earned top spot in the Jamaica Defence Force Boxing Championship held in Lathbury Barracks, Up Park Camp on Friday 14 March, 2014. For three days, 1JR’s boxers dominated the boxing, fiercely maintaining their lead from the earliest bouts. Their intent was clear as The First and Foremost’s exceptional boxing techniques and ambit punches sent signals to their opponents.

The elimination and semi-final bouts that took place on March 12 and 13 had set the stage for the Friday night’s heated finals. The first bout fired off with Private George Allen of 1JR up against Private Cheviz Capleton of the Third Battalion the Jamaica Regiment National Reserve (3JR (NR)). During this featherweight fight, Private Allen fought tirelessly to conquer Capleton, and in the final round, the latter’s glove seemingly became too heavy to form a defense and he succumbed to Allen’s fast and furious punches.

The final bout placed a damper on the spirits of those who came to see the highly anticipated Super Heavyweight fight. Private Edwards of 1JR was deemed unfit to fight. His opponent, Private Hubert Small of 1 Engineer Regiment, JDF (1Engr Regt, JDF) would have provided a monumental opponent, but the fight was not to be. It was a bittersweet victory for Pte Small who, in a slugfest in last year’s final, was taken down by the heavyweight star Private Edgar Erbine of 1JR. This year’s title was to be his, but without a punch being thrown, it was a major anti-climax.

“I was hoping the see this fight, I am disappointed at the fact that it did not take place, Small is a strong fighter I had my bets on him,” said Public Health Inspector Lunce Dowdie, who was among the hundreds of patrons who turned out. “I have been here every year since 2011 and the heavyweight is my favorite category,” she commented.

At one point in the competition, the engineers seemed destined to take back the championship title, which they had once held for fours years. At the end of the night 1JR won with 38 points, six more than the 32 points of 1Engineer Regiment (JDF) which secured second place for them. The Third Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment (3JR) was a distant third with 24 points, with The Second Battalion, the Jamaica Regiment (2JR) and the JDF Air Wing tied on 14 points. 2JR was however given fourth place as they had more fighters going into the finals, as the Support and Services Battalion (Sp Svcs Bn) on 12 points, Combat Support Battalion (Cbt Sp Bn) 6 points and the JDF Coast Guard on 2 points rounded out the bottom half of the scoring.

Major Milton Edwards and Regimental Sergeant Majors Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Clinton Brown and Anthony Lysight were the commentators for the competition and kept the spectators informed.
A satisfied Boxing Officer Captain Champlini Henry explained, “This year’s boxing epitomized the core functions of the JDF, in particular discipline and commitment in meeting all the timelines.”
The competition saw some spirited boxing by fighters from the rest of the Force in particular Lieutenant Andrew Khan of 1Engr Regt JDF and Second Lieutenant Nashan Smith of Cbt Sp Bn who were the only two officers to make it to the semi finals.

The Best Boxer Award went to Sapper Lucien Johnson of 1Engr Regt while Corporal Anthony Allen of the Support and Services Battalion was adjudged Most Gallant Loser. Other medal winners on the night were Private George Allen (1JR), Lance Corporal Francis D (1JR), Private Davis J (JDF AW), and Private Shaw D (2JR) and Private R Rattray (1JR). The award for Most Outstanding Coach went to Corporal Gilbert Vaz also of 1JR.
Boxing is one of the most highly anticipated sports on the JDF Sports Calendar; the sport promotes teamwork, discipline, commitment and overall good military sportsmanship.