GENERAL secretary of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC) Leroy Brown expects thrilling showdowns in tonight’s Fist of Gold fight card at the Barbican Beach Football Complex.

Brown believes a positive start to the year augurs well for the Board’s plans for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico in July and the Commonwealth Games of October in India.

“This is a year in which we have the CAC and the Commonwealth Games, so a lot is at stake. This is our second bout of the year. And it’s getting the year off to a very good start… with the track that the board is on now to grow the sport,” said the former boxing president. “There are lots of incentives for the boxers to go out there and give their best,” he added.

Promising 27-year-old welterweight Sakima Mullings will face Raymond ‘Tough Skin’ Gordon, as both are set to make their professional debut.

In the main amateur match-ups, British light-welterweight Phillip Bowes will face Shawn Wheatle of the Jamaica Defence Force, while another British fighter, Ahmet Patterson, will oppose Hard Knocks Gym’s Ricardo Smith in a welterweight bout.

Both British fighters have Jamaican ancestry and are aiming to be a part of the Commonwealth team.

Board vice-president Stephen Jones is confident that fans will be treated to a good night of Pro-Am boxing at the 500-capacity venue.

“It’s looking very good. Weather permitting, it should be a very good card… we should have about 10 amateur fights culminating with the pro fight at the end,” he said, while noting that proceedings should run from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am.

While many have been concerned about whether Mullings will finally make his pro debut after Gordon missed an official press conference three days ago, Jones insisted that the wait will end tonight.

“Everything is signed and sealed as ‘Tough Skin’ signed today (Thursday). There was misunderstanding because he had the dates wrong,” Jones said.

Of the British fighters who have decided to make themselves available to fight for the country, the vice- president revealed that boxing enthusiasts across the island are anxious to see what they are worth in the ring.

“The boxing fraternity wants to know the mettle of the English boxers who are here,” he said, while reiterating the Board’s desire to prepare for the 2012 Olympics.