Goldson, Stevens make pro debut at Contender

Two promising 28-year-old boxers - Jamaican Camion Goldson, representing the Caribbean team, and Rashid Stevens ,fighting for the USA team - will make their professional debuts tonight on the Wray and Nephew 2016 'Contender' show at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium, Old Hope Road in St Andrew, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

It was an interesting sidelight when the draw was done, that these two debutants were pitted against each other, and a keen contest is expected. Both have over 50 amateur fights and have represented their countries in overseas competition.

Stevens has more accomplishments and told The Gleaner yesterday that he has a 45-9 record and was the 2015 National Golden Gloves champion. He also said that he has won other national titles and was runner-up in the tournament that was held recently to select the USA team to the Olympic Qualifier in Argentina.

He was oozing confidence and said that he was keen on making a successful debut to the professional ranks.

Goldson has been one of Jamaica's leading amateurs for some time and has been a national representative on several occasions. His performances have not been consistent, but he has shown that on a given night, he can perform brilliantly.

This is the seventh week of competition in the preliminary round of the series, which has 16 boxers vying for quarter-final berths. Following next week's competition, the eight boxers remaining will be seeded and the top four will draw their opponents from the other four contestants.

The main prize is purse money of two million dollars, with the runner-up getting $500,000, third $250,000 and fourth $200,000.

The contest will be shown live on TVJ.