I have to defend Jamaica! - Mullings - Boxer still seeking to avenge country with Salas clash
Published:Wednesday | October 24, 2018 | 12:00 AMRachid Parchment/ Sports News Coordinator
Two-time Wray and Nephew Contender boxing champion Sakima 'Mr Smooth' Mullings said that despite no real progress being made in booking a bout, he is still interested in facing last season's champion Ricardo 'Magic Man Salas' because he wants revenge for Jamaica.
After the Mexican-born Canadian fighter defeated Richard 'Frog' Holmes in the Contender final last July, Mullings entered the ring and told him he wanted to face him. Salas said he welcomed the idea and both camps had agreed to work on making the match happen.
Personal responsibility
Mullings said that after seeing Salas defeat four Jamaicans: Sceantonie Johnson, Nico Yeyo, Devon 'Concrete' Moncriffe and Holmes in the competition, he owes it to Jamaica to get some revenge on the 19 year-old.
"The only reason I want this fight is to bring pride back to Jamaica. Jamaica saw him come and beat four of its fighters," Mullings told The Gleaner.
Mullings said that other than fighting to restore pride to Jamaica, there is not much for him to gain from the match, as Salas is a much younger boxer looking to make his name, while he (Mullings) has already established himself as one of the top fighters in the region.
"He definitely has more to gain internationally," Mullings said. "I have the better record and I'm the more highly-touted fighter. The fight is really for Jamaica."
But Canadian promoter Tyler Buxton disagrees, saying that Mullings would gain more.
"Mullings needs a meaningful win," Buxton said. "Salas could use a name on his record, but he's still young. Mullings has a small window of time to do something (while) Salas has lots of time."
Buxton said that a fight could not happen any time soon because Salas has a match coming up in December, which he is now focusing on. He added that the sponsorship money is not there for what the fighters want to be paid, but would not say what that desired figured is.
Mullings has a professional record of 26 wins, 18 by knockout, and three losses. Salas' record stands at 11 wins, nine by knockout and one loss.