Canada, TCI In Boxing Extravaganza This Saturday

The Canadian Amateur Boxers and their coaching staff being met by Jarrett Forbes (in suit) and local boxing coach Gary Lightbourne (in blue sweatsuit) on Tuesday at the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales

The Turks and Caicos Islands took a powerful step forward in youth sports development this week, welcoming a Canadian boxing contingent led by veteran coach Tom Hennessey.

 The international collaboration, hosted by the TCI Sports Commission and the Felix Morley Community Centre Boxing Club in Five Cays, Providenciales, marks a milestone in the growth of amateur boxing on the island.

The main event will see young athletes from both countries face off in a series of exhibition bouts scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex in Providenciales. The highly anticipated matchups will showcase up to eight bouts, offering a thrilling night for local fans and visiting guests alike.

Jarrett Forbes, Director of Sports for the TCI Sports Commission, expressed his excitement about the event, calling it “a great initiative and a valuable opportunity for two countries to come together.” The showcase brings youth boxers from Canada and TCI into the ring for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.

“This is about strengthening youth sports and giving our kids exposure and experience in fighting,” said Forbes. “The boxing club here started about a year ago, and to be at this point so soon is very impressive.”

Forbes also paid tribute to local supporters and the late Jim Kelly Joseph, who played a key role in the club’s early development.

 “We want to thank all the coaches and volunteers, and remember Jim Kelly, who had a hand in starting this program before his untimely passing,” Forbes added.

While TCI has previously hosted professional fights—Forbes recalled one featuring Zab Judah years ago—this is the first of its kind at the amateur level.

“We’ve got five to eight bouts scheduled. It’s going to be exciting for both the fighters and the fans,” he said.

The local program has seen rapid growth, with up to 50 young boxers training at the Felix Morley Gym on a given day. Forbes emphasized the commitment of the youth and hinted at future plans to expand regional partnerships across the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.

On the visiting side, Tom Hennessey brings decades of experience to the table. A Canadian boxing veteran who started coaching in 1979, Hennessey currently has athletes on both national and provincial teams.

 “We try to get the kids out internationally as much as we can. When this opportunity came up, there was a lot of interest,” said Hennessey.

The Canadian contingent includes six boxers, two officials, and coaches from Ontario—home to over 170 boxing clubs. Hennessey, who also serves on the board of Boxing Canada, sees this as more than just a fight weekend.

“We’re here to build goodwill, meet coaches and officials, and create more opportunities for these kids to grow,” he explained.

After TCI, Hennessey’s team is headed to Scotland next month with a dozen young boxers—underscoring his commitment to international development.

The event is not only a first for the Turks and Caicos Islands but also a symbol of how sport can bridge borders and build lasting partnerships.

“You make us better, we make you better,” said Hennessey. “That’s what these trips are all about.”

As the bell rings this Saturday night, it's more than just a bout—it’s a blueprint for the future of youth boxing in TCI and beyond.