The Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) is set to host a distinguished visitor this week as Elise Seignolle, the newly elected president of the Pan American Boxing Confederation (PanAm Boxing), arrives in Jamaica for an official five-day visit. This marks the second time in two months that a high-ranking official from an international boxing organization will be visiting the island, reinforcing Jamaica’s growing influence in the sport of boxing.

Seignolle’s visit, which begins on Friday, April 25, and concludes on Tuesday, April 29, presents an exciting opportunity for the JBA to showcase the country’s burgeoning boxing talent. The highlight of her visit will be her attendance at the Gloves Over Guns Futures Programme on Saturday at the Stanley Couch Gym, where young boxers from the Cayman Islands, the United Kingdom, and Jamaica will compete in an event that underscores the future of Caribbean boxing.

Stephen “Bomber” Jones, president of the JBA, expressed his enthusiasm about Seignolle’s visit, calling it another historic moment for the sport in Jamaica. “This weekend marks another historic moment for boxing in Jamaica following the groundbreaking visit from the president of World Boxing,” Jones said. “We are honoured to now welcome Elise Seignolle, the president of the Pan American Boxing Confederation, to our shores. Her presence here is not only a vote of confidence in what we are building but it will be a clear signal that Jamaica is fast becoming the heartbeat of Caribbean boxing.”

Jones also emphasized that Seignolle’s visit is a pivotal moment for the JBA, especially as Jamaica continues to build on its momentum within the international boxing community. “So, this weekend she will witness firsthand our Futures Program where our young boxers will go up against boxers from the UK and the Cayman islands to showcase their talents so that being, exciting Elisa has also made it very clear that she wants our confederation to lead globally, and we here in Jamaica are ready to play our part acting as the hub of innovation, excellence, and opportunity for the region. So it’s exciting times ahead and we’re looking forward to welcoming her.”

Seignolle, a former successful boxer herself, made a seamless transition into boxing administration after her competitive career. Earlier this year, she was elected as the president of the PanAm Boxing Confederation, a testament to her leadership and dedication to the sport. This visit marks her first to Jamaica in her new role, and it builds on a significant momentum for the JBA, which also recently saw Stephen Bomber Jones elected as a director of the PanAm Boxing Confederation.

The recent surge in international interest in Jamaican boxing is not confined to Seignolle’s visit alone. In March, Boris van der Vorst, president of World Boxing, spent five days in Jamaica, strengthening ties with the JBA. This visit followed the arrival of Toronto-based boxing coach and trainer Ava Sturm in January, who conducted an Introductory Coaching Clinic that trained 20 local coaches. The clinic was part of the Gloves Over Guns Futures initiative, which aims to empower Jamaica’s youth through boxing, helping them to channel their energy into positive, life-changing pursuits.