The much-anticipated first female bout in the Wray & Nephew Fight Night Series takes place at the Ebony Vale Community Centre in Spanish Town on Saturday. Both Sherikee Moore and Shanika Gordon are anticipating a fierce and thrilling battle.

Moore, from the Sugar Knockout Gym, and Gordon, from the Jamaica Defence Force Gym, will both compete in the middleweight division. Their showdown will be the highlight of a 10-fight card that begins at 7:00 pm and includes three professional fights.

Moore says that she wishes to demonstrate her talent and that her best efforts will suffice.

“I’m hoping for a good turnout, some excitement, and some great fights between everyone, and I’m hoping everyone does their best,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “I’m hoping to come and show off my talent and techniques, as well as just do my best.

“I plan to go professional in three years, and I’m hoping that this platform will be a good place to start. Training has been going well; I’m running, skipping, and putting everything into this fight.”

Gordon says she is going into this fight with only one goal in mind: to come out on top.

“I am looking forward to winning because I know I am putting in the effort and coming out to execute,” she said. “Doing this sport is something I enjoy, so I want to go professional and become one of Jamaica’s first gold medallists in an Olympic Games.”

Jamaica Boxing Association President Stephen Jones says this platform may be a stepping stone in developing female boxers.

“Getting the females to come out and participating is beyond words,” he said. “I mean, this is something that we have been wanting to do. Our level of activity here is not as it is on a first world level but we have the commitment and dedication from our female fighters.

“Now that this platform is here, I am certain with the first fight here, other female boxers will be in gym training just as hard and looking forward to many other fight nights.”