Semi-final showdown

The battle for places in the finals of the Wray & Nephew Contender series begins tonight, when Team Jamaica's Richard 'Frog' Holmes clashes with David 'Fast and Furious' Leblond, representing Team Canada, over seven rounds, at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium, Old Hope Road. The action starts at 8:30 with two amateur bouts, followed at 9:30 by the main attraction that will be broadcast by TVJ.

Both boxers fought well to reach the semi-final stage of the competition tonight, and it should be a keen and hard-fought contest. Much is at stake, and both boxers expressed confidence yesterday that they will be going through to the finals.

Holmes, who has a 17-8 record, has been to the finals of this competition in 2015 and 2016 and the semi-finals last year. In 2015, he lost to Kemahl Russell, in 2016 to Demarcus Corley, and last year to Phil Rose. Leblond, who has a 4-4 record, was also in the competition last year. He lost to Tsetsi Davis, beat Nico Yeyo and then lost to Phil Rose. This year, Holmes defeated Lloyd Reyes and Lerone Whyte, while Leblond beat Toriano Nicholas and Donovan 'Police' Campbell.

The outcome of tonight's fight could well depend on the physical condition of Holmes. In both fights this year over five rounds, he faded in the last round. It was more pronounced in his fight with Reyes, when he was gasping for air from round three. He looked in better shape against Whyte, but still struggled in the final round. Yesterday, he told The Gleaner that he has spent a lot of time on his conditioning over the past two weeks, and is very confident that he will not have a problem tonight.

"I think that I have solved a problem that I had before, and I am good to go," he declared.

One thing that his camp says that he will do tonight is to start quickly.

"He has to start fast, and put rounds in the bank. If he does this, then he will get into the finals. We are confident that we will be able to get the job done."

They also said that they are not taking Leblond lightly, and expect him to be a formidable opponent.

The Leblond camp was a very confident one yesterday, as things have gone well for him so far. Leblond drew an easy opponent, Toriano Nicholas in the first round, and should have met Michael Gardener, who was the favourite to win the title next. Gardener, however, could not make the weight, and last-minute substitute Donovan Campbell was no match for him. He said yesterday that he is ready for the challenge tonight.

"I will be in the finals," was his confident declaration.

The winner of the competition will take home $2 million, runner-up $500,000, third place $250,000, and fourth place $200,000.