Carter still focused on going pro

Ricardo Carter said that he is close to becoming a professional fighter, as he is currently in talks for a debut in Canada.

Carter had told STAR Sports last year that because of financial hardships, he is looking to make the switch from amateur boxing very soon.

Amateur boxers are limited to three-round bouts and gain no payment for it, unlike professional fights which last longer and boxers earn money.

Carter has since been seen competing in undercard bouts at this season's Wray and Nephew Contender Series. He said that this is because he struggled to find professional opponents at the lightweight class.

"The weight class for me to turn pro is kinda difficult in Jamaica. Lightweight is 132lb. There's no other lightweight fighter in Jamaica right now, so mi just affi go wid di flow," Carter told STAR Sports.

The former Caribbean Amateur Cchampion said last year that he cannot fully provide for his wife and children solely as a boxer. As such, he still spends his days as a tradesman.

NOT GOOD

His coach of 13 years at the Dream Sports Boxing Gym in Spanish Town, Kingsley Fagan, said that the time is right for the 24-year-old.

"We are getting him ready and it's a process. We're working on it and he'll be ready," Fagan said.

He said the boxing programme in Jamaica is not good for amateurs.

"The programme that we have here in Jamaica really holding us up. The programme we have here is not conducive to amateur building. But we as coaches see that and are working on it and we hope the authority follows in the future," he said.

When the time comes for Carter to go pro, Fagan says they plan to work with Tyler Buxton Promotions to get more professional fights.

"We're going to work with Tyler Buxton Promotions and we are hoping to get a couple fights per year from him," Fagan said.

Fagan also said that he is hopeful that Carter will have a professional fight in Canada next month.

"We are working on it. We just have to cross the t's and dot the i's and whenever that happens, we're going to go pro, without a doubt," Fagan said.

- Bradley Jacks