Described as “a lean, mean, fighting machine”, Kemahl ‘The Hitman’ Russell, winner of the 2015 Wray & Nephew Contender Series, is the new Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum brand ambassador.

Pietro Gramegna, marketing manager, White Spirits at J Wray & Nephew Limited, explains the choice: “Kemahl Russell is an exceptional athlete. He has combined top performance in his sport with resilience and spirit. These are precisely the qualities that are embodied in our Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum brand.”

Russell is expected to be a role model to the contestants in the ongoing season of the Wray & Nephew Contender Series.

“Kemahl is a reflection of hard work, discipline and determination to reach the highest heights of boxing. He displays a heart of gratitude to the Wray & Nephew brand which has created the number one platform for boxing. He wants to show Jamaica that the Wray & Nephew Contender Series is an opportunity given to Jamaican boxers, which, if taken seriously, can be the beginning of the best to come. Most of all, he displays the ‘Spirit of a Fighter’. This is the one thing Jamaica could never forget about ‘The Hitman’,” Gramegna further stated.

Since winning the Wray & Nephew Contender Series in 2015, Russell has been training at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York, under the tutelage of world-class trainer Hector Roca. With the assistance of his management team, Russell will be strategically placed in fights and moved through the ranks towards the world title.

The talented and resilient boxer who grew up in the tough Tower Hill neighbourhood says he won’t stop until he fights his way to the top: “Being a brand ambassador for Wray & Nephew Rum means a lot to me. I think it ties in so well with who I am, as I always am in high spirits, even when the going gets tough.”

He remains inspired by other sporting athletes as he pursues career excellence. Russell shared that his boxing role model is the Jamaican hero of the 1970s and 80s, Mike ‘The Body Snatcher’ McCallum, and his favourite sportsman is the fastest man of all time, Usain Bolt.

“I admire Usain Bolt,” he said respectfully, “for making our little country so pronounced in the world through sports.”

With the feats of Bolt and McCallum as motivation, it is little wonder that he is aiming high. With the cool stare opponents see before the bell rings, he says, “My career goal was to become a world champion, but is now to be remembered as one of, if not the best boxer Jamaica has produced.”

The athletic Kingston native believes the Wray & Nephew Contender Series has revived boxing and kept the sport relevant in Jamaica.

“I admire the Wray & Nephew brand for attaching itself to a sport such as boxing and creating opportunity for Jamaican boxers, like myself, to showcase their talent and improve their record,” Russell said.

Nicknamed ‘Hitman’ by Guyanese fans after a fight in their country, Russell is focused on success and hopes his role as the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum ambassador will be a launching pad.

When his manager was asked, “What’s next for Russell?”, she said, “Kemahl will continue the same training programme in New York. At this stage of his career we are also assessing the trainers to determine who is best to develop and polish Kemahl’s natural fighting ability. But, for now, he will remain at Gleason’s Gym under the training of Hector Roca. We are presently trying to determine what his next fight will be. However, it is slated to be in March. Wray & Nephew is assisting Kemahl financially with his entire training programme, which involves living expenses, nutrition and all the training-related expenses, which we are extremely grateful for.”