President of the Jamaica Boxing Board (JBB), Stephen Jones, says that the (JBB)/Fight For Peace inaugural 'Gloves over Guns' boxing card, which takes place on Saturday at the Denham Town Community Centre, is just the start of a broader initiative.
Speaking to The Gleaner following the official launch of the 'Gloves over Guns' boxing card at the Denham Town Community Centre on Tuesday, Jones said they are hoping to have an impact on as many communities as they can in Kingston and Montego Bay.
"This is the start and it will not be the only one. In six weeks we intend to have another leg of the tournament. So we start here (Denham Town), go to Montego Bay come back go to Fletcher's Land, Hannah Town, Parade Gardens, Boys' Town," he said.
He also hopes the event will be a vehicle for peace in the communities and surrounding areas,
"The main aim of this programme is to get greater communication between adults and children," he stated while adding that the idea to use boxing as a unifying force came from the community.
The ten-fight card is scheduled to take place from 5p.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday. Five of the bouts will see Fight For Peace fighters going up against opponents from the boxing board while there will be three elite bouts and one female bout.
Pauline Perez, Denham Town's Community Development Committee (CDC) president, said she hopes the event will help to restore some hope to the community
"People are saying there is no hope for Denham Town. They asked me what is going to happen. But with Fight For Peace and other agencies there is now hope. There are five districts -Denham Town, Hannah Town, Trench Town, Fletchers Land and Tivoli - and this Saturday you will see persons from across the board and with the area being a zone of special operations, this will give people more confidence to come across on Saturday night," she said.