The Bermuda International Boxing Association will stage its first card at BAA Gymnasium next month, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The newly formed organisation has scheduled a series of bouts featuring all local boxers to take place at BAA on May 10 at 7pm.

The main attraction will feature heavyweight Leo Richardson taking on Chioke Tucker in what will be the latter’s final bout as an amateur before turning professional.

“Leo has been fighting much heavier opponents in the past and beating them,” said Leon Raynor, the BIBA executive, trainer, referee and judge.

“However, Chioke has been training abroad in England and he has done sparring with European champions. There is going to be about 12 fights and it is going to be a big thing.”

Next month’s event has been fittingly dubbed “The Homecoming” as BAA hosted boxing on a regular basis throughout the Seventies and Eighties.

“I did not give Clarence Hill, Troy Darrell or Quinn Paynter their start,” Raynor added.

“However, I had over 20 bouts at BAA which allowed them to get to where they did in the world.

“I did that under the banner of PYC [Pembroke Youth Centre]. The place is secure and nice.”

Local boxing greats Clarence Hill, Troy Darrell and Quinn Paynter will be among those acknowledged for their past achievements in the sport at the event.

“We are going to invite all past boxers who are going to be introduced in the ring,” Raynor added.

“This is a big thing because some of these guys are elderly, so this will be a special night when many of them will be honoured. They will be recognised as they pass through the ring.”

BIBA has also scheduled another boxing event featuring professional and amateur boxers at BAA on June 7.

Raynor said June’s bout could potentially be headlined by professional Nikki Bascome.

The 23-year-old junior middleweight launched his professional career in the best possible way in Florida this year after recording a unanimous points victory over American George Quintero at the Highlands County Fair Convention Centre.

Raynor said that he and his BIBA colleagues intend to stage boxing events on a frequent basis.

“As long as the fighters are OK ,we plan to stage fights once per month,” Raynor said.

“There are many guys being put through their paces at Chuck Renaud’s gym and Allan ‘Forty’ Rego’s gym that are anxious to fight. So we have an abundance of boxers and kickboxers.”

n Teachers Rugby Fight Night XVI: Relentless will be held at the Berkeley Institute Gym on Saturday. Doors open at 7pm.