THE Bermuda Amateur Boxing Association has joined up with promoter Nir Sadeth to stage a fight night next weekend at CedarBridge Academy's gym.

And this fight night is expected to be one of three upcoming evenings in the ring over the next three months.

The end result will see Bermuda's top fighters travelling to the Bahamas in April to take part in the Caribbean Boxing Championships.

Sadeth, who has been responsible for organising Teachers Rugby Club's extremely successful fight nights over the past few years, said: "This is a joint venture between myself and the BABA to really promote serious fighting in Bermuda.

"I saw the last fight night the BABA put on in the summer and it was obvious that they needed some help organising the night. I went up to CedarBridge to check it out and there were only about 50 people there - you could hear the treefrogs it was so quiet! It was obvious that they needed a hand in promoting the fights."

So Sadeth has brought along his experience of organising the packed-out Teachers RFC fight nights. "There is more to organising these nights than many people realise," he said.

And while the Teachers fight nights have often been mainly bouts between rugby players and the like who are really in it for the fun, this night of boxing on December 7 will mainly focus on "the serious" fighters who train in Bermuda's gyms.

"These guys are training regularly - they are serious about it. You will see some very good fights. Many of these guys are excellent athletes and want to go someplace in the fight game," said Sadeth.

The organiser said that it will be his event with part of the proceeds going to the BABA so that they can take their fighters down to the Caribbean Championships in the Bahamas in April.

He said: "We are also trying to get the guys in the ring more often. You can train and train but eventually if you do not get in the ring for fights you will lose interest. We have to find a way to test their abilities in the ring - after all boxing bags do not hit back."

And Sadeth said the public wants to see boxing in Bermuda. "The island has a great history in boxing. We are trying to bring that back now in a serious way. Also boxing brings in the most intergrated crowd of any sport in Bermuda - black, white, old and young and quite a few women as well."

While Sadeth usually has his Teachers fight nights at the very large Number One Shed in Hamilton, he said that the CedarBridge venue will be smaller and more intimate.

"It is a smaller venue but it should accomodate a pretty good crowd. It will be great for the spectators because everyone will get a good seat from where to watch the fights.

"It will be great night. We will have entetainment, a DJ, door prizes and raffles and there will be bar and food served - an overall good package."

Besides the fights involving those hoping to go to the Caribbean in April, there will also be the fun fights to warm up the crowd.

"The Teachers fight nights were usually fun fights but many of these guys you will see next week are serious about their boxing."

However he said that sometimes a boxer will just go into the ring for fun but end up wanting to take the sport more seriously.

"Trace Easton is a perfect example. He took part in one of our Teachers fight nights and decided he liked it - now he is one of the best fighters on the island. He trains at Chucky Renaud's gym."

And the fight which promises to be one of the best next week involves Easton. He will take on tough guy Jerome Caines in what many expect to be a revenge fight. The last time these two fighters met, Easton knocked out Caines. "It should be one of ther best bouts," said Sadeth.

And there will a women's fight between Teresa Santucci and Nicola Burchall.

Other bouts will see Jeffrey Richardson going against Bruno Parks, Lyndon Woods taking on Andre Bean, Leo Richardson against Freeman Smith in a heavyweight fight while fellow heavyweights Devrae Neol-Simmons takes on Shariff Wales.

Robin Simmons will fight John Steven Glasgow while rookies Kumi Bradshaw and Franky (Stretch) Simmons will go against each other.

The night starts at 8.00 p.m. and tickets can be bought at the door or at the Arcade Barbershop, C-Mart, Docksiders, International Sports Shop, The Pro Shop, Music World, Sports 'R' Us or you can call 236-3748.