THE Jamaica Boxing Board of Control (JBBC) is now seeking an alternate date to stage the much anticipated ‘Hands of Gold Fight Series’ event at Liquanea Club in New Kingston.

The fight card, which was originally scheduled for May 29, was set to feature British boxers Reece Shagourie and Phillip Bowes, who are battling for places on Jamaica’s Commonwealth team. The Games are to be held in India in October this year.

In a release dated May 24, the Board stated that the recent upsurge in violent acts across the corporate area forced the decision to postpone the event.

“In light of the recent developments that have prompted the Government to impose a limited State of Emergency in Kingston, the JBBC has decided to postpone its fight card scheduled for 29. The event will be rescheduled to a date in the future when it is deemed prudent,” it said.

“We at the JBBC remain committed to the growth and development of boxing in Jamaica and to the constructive role it can play in so many lives. We acknowledge the many who have worked hard to organise a successful event, none more so than the boxers themselves,” the release added.

The card also gave the Board the opportunity to finalize team selections for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico come July.

General secretary of the JBBC Leroy Brown insists the card will be held in the near future.

“We are still trying to have it (the fight card) because it was originally scheduled to be used as the final selection for the CAC Games and it also gives the boxers here some practice,” he said.

Brown said the postponement has not affected the JBBC severely from a financial perspective, but conceded that boxers have been disappointed.

“When you have to postpone an event there is certainly a loss factor. It certainly will set us back but the loss is nothing substantial. The boxers, I’m sure, would be frustrated and the circumstances would affect especially those based in the corporate area because their training schedules would be disrupted,” he said.

“(It) the upsurge in violence has had a devastating effect on the sport and all other sports in the country. However, though the boxers will be frustrated by not being able to fight on Saturday and also not being able to train, we are quite concerned about the current happenings and the damage to Jamaica,” Brown added.