Letter To The Editor

The next boxing Chairman was Dr. Norman Gay, whom I had the pleasure of serving as Vice Chairman. Again Pratt's license was rejected because the Commission was satisfied that he is legally blind. In 2007, I was appointed Chairman of the Commission. Among the Commissioners named was one Quincy Pratt. Quincy again expressed a desire to fight. He met with myself and members of the Commission. Quincy was advised that the first thing he needed to do was submit a letter of resignation then he can re-apply for a license. That has not happened up to this day. So, as far as we are concerned, Quincy Pratt is still a member on the Commission.

Some years ago, Ray Minus Jr. announced his retirement from professional boxing. Ray is fully aware that the Boxing Commission is responsible for regulating the sport of professional boxing in this country. His wife is head of a promotions company. He is a trainer of many fighters. Yet he chooses to ignore the 'process' that he is fully familiar with and announce to the public a series of exhibitions between himself and Pratt. I, in my capacity as Chairman had no choice but to send out the notice from the Commission. Afterwards, Ray went on one of the radio talk shows and advised that these are not Exhibitions; they are demonstrations between him and Quincy, trying to raise funds for the amateurs. Also Ray left a message at my office, saying there was a misunderstanding. We apologize. "It is not an exhibition, it is a sparring session."

Mr. Editor, there is a bigger picture here. And that is what is disturbing to me the most. It would seem to me that those among us feel we are above the rules and the rules do not apply to us. And when the regulators put their feet down, all sorts of accusations are hurled at the ones putting their feet down. Even more disturbing is that some members of the press choose to print the foolishness spewed out by some individuals instead of doing some investigative reporting and finding out the truth. But it is an even deeper issue. And that is of honesty. And that I believe is notorius throughout our society. It is incredible that some of us are so used to getting away with foolishness we have a problem adjusting when the rules are enforced.

Mr. Editor, what is so amazing is that when Dr. Norman Gay served as Chairman these very same trouble makers never posed a problem to him. In fact, they genuflect to him for four consecutive years. But as soon as my friend Pat Strachan becomes Chairman, all of a sudden the rules do not apply to them. And I'm on a campaign to stem the growth of professional boxing and victimize promoters. How hypocritical!

Let me say for the record, the Bahamas Boxing Commission is committed to going the extra mile and providing avenues for our many fighters to embrace the many opportunities that are out there. At this time, we have the most fighters rated in the British Commonwealth ratings because of the action of the Commission. The President of the Commonwealth Boxing Council is Fred Sturrup. And I witnessed first hand how he campaigned to put Bahamian fighters in the British Commonwealth ratings. Fred is also the Secretary for the Bahamas Boxing Commission.