The bout was really between Ricardo Smith and Devon Moncrieffe, but last Wednesday, entertainment heavyweights Vybz Kartel, Mavado and I-Octane did have their moments in the ring.

The event was the finals of the Wray & Nephew-sponsored Contender televised boxing reality series at the Constant Spring Football field in St Andrew, but as was the case with most local sporting events, entertainment, primarily music, forms an integral part of the proceedings.

The conscious crusader I-Octane was the first to ‘touch’ the ring. He accompanied Moncrieffe to loud cheers from the boxer’s supporters, and delivered Who Dem a Dis, much to the enthusiasm of those inside the venue, and further heightening the anticipation of the patrons. The line from the song, which states, Dem feel him a weak fence, caused a giant swell in the vocals coming from the thousands inside the venue.

The cheers rose event higher once it was revealed, that Moncrieffe’s opponent, Smith, would be ushered into the ring by the high-riding, deejay of the moment, Vybz Kartel.

Dressed in all-white, Kartel treated his fans, and those of Smith to his popular single Nuh Bull Buck, causing the cheers to reach a crescendo.

After one minute 36 seconds of round eight, it was decided that Smith would be award the match by TKO, however this would not stop the fireworks inside the ring.

Converted into a stage, the ring saw an additional performance by I-Octane who delivered a snappy, but enjoyable set featuring a number of his popular tracks including Badda Dan Dem, and Mama.

This paved the way for the performance by the man from the Gullyside — Mavado. With the ‘gully’ being only metres away, Mavado clearly felt at home and closed the event with a blistering string of his crowd favourites. Nuh Fraid a Dem, Gangsta Life, Star Bwoy, Messiah, Hope and Pray and Thump Har Up, all definitely caught on with the boxing fans, but it was the current chart-rider Pepper, which sealed his performance.