Major connecting The Bahamas, South Africa in boxing through PACBO

Former Bahamian Super Featherweight Champion and World Boxing Association (WBA) FedeCaribe lightweight king Meacher “Major Pain” Major, in retirement, has transitioned into a world sports ambassador.

From the backdrop of his role as regional director for the Pan American Caribbean Boxing Organization (PACBO), Major is now poised to begin officially networking with South African associates to start an exchange program that will foster the development of young aspiring boxers in that country and his native land.

This coming March 20, Major will be one of the principal mentors at The Bahamas meets South Africa festival of activities. The event will take place in Ikageng, in the northwest province of South Africa. The program will include entertainment and special performances by noted artists, fun activities such as sports competitions, recreational games, motivational speeches and academic contests.

“I am proud to be invited to be a part of this celebration of sports and other activities in the great country of South Africa. This is one of the reach-out objectives of PACBO. We are linked to the United States and the Caribbean, and now we have spread out into the continent of Africa. This is what I dreamed of doing, once I was finished with the ring competition portion of my career. PACBO has given me this forum and I intend to make the most of it, and at the same time, increase opportunities for young people in my country, and all areas that I am able to link up with,” said Major recently.

Major lives in Buffalo, New York, these days, but commutes to The Bahamas often to interact with Kaito Ferguson who coordinates a training camp sponsored by PACBO. Presently, discussions are ongoing for several boxing shows in Grand Bahama and other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, though, Major says he will “take advantage of every opportunity to build boxing in The Bahamas”. In March, while in South Africa, he will also visit the Knysna Boxing Club as the guest of Christian Jacobs, who was introduced to him by a friend.

How did the South Africa connection come about?

“I met Christian Jacobs through a mutual friend, Mathis Ogoula in South Africa. We have been in communication ever since my visit to that country, on vacation, back in 2017. We formed a relationship. Mathis was inspired by my community efforts. On social media, he got a chance to see some of the things I do with youngsters and he invited me to South Africa to help him organize a charity event. That led to me being introduced to Jacobs, who is from Knysna and I was invited to visit his boxing club. I see it as a great opportunity for the sport of boxing and being a part of the PACBO organization, that supports me fully, I think it is a win-win situation to extend our program. I feel in boxing, we can connect The Bahamas with South Africa for a long-term sports relationship,” said Major.

This development is quite refreshing for a sport that really needs a few shots in the arm. Major is to be congratulated, and based on his proactive nature, no doubt he will solidify a meaningful relationship when he again visits the country of the legendary freedom fighter Nelson Mandela.

• To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at e-mail address sturrup1504@gmail.com or on WhatsApp at (242) 727-6363.

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