After dramatic endings in two successive weeks, the Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series will continue tonight at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium.

The tournament, which is promoted by MJK Productions, approved by the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control and sponsored by J. Wray and Nephew, Claro and TVJ, will start at 8.30 with two amateur bouts. The main event, which will be broadcast live on TVJ, gets under way at 9:30.

Tonight's matchup will see Sakima Mullings from the Green Team going up against the Yellow Team's Glenroy 'Bumpy' Beckford over six rounds, and it should be an exciting encounter. For the first time in three weeks, the Green Team won the challenge which took place on the weekend, and this gave them the opportunity to select which of their boxers would fight, as well as who his opponent would be.

The choices were no surprise, as at the start of the competition the Green Team's captain, Carl Grant, made it known that if his team won the challenge it would be Mullings versus Beckford. The reason is that on January 16 last year Mullings was scheduled to meet Beckford in his professional debut in Montego Bay. Beckford did not show up for the weigh-in, however, and the fight had to be cancelled.

Mullings issued a warning to Beckford then, that whenever they met he would pay for the disappointment he caused him. One year later, almost to the day, the opportunity has presented itself. Beckford has warmed to the challenge, however, and says that Mullings should come ready to fight as he is raring to go.

Both fighters had excellent amateur careers. Mullings, who lived and fought in the USA for several years, left the amateur ranks with a 20-2 record, and since becoming a professional a year ago is 2-0. Beckford was for many years one of Jamaica's best amateurs and compiled a 43-6 record. As a professional, he has five wins and two losses.

Mullings was very impressive in his two professional fights, and is regarded as one of the favourites to win the main prize of one million dollars. Tonight, he will take the first step towards that goal, and give an indication as to his capabilities. His camp is supremely confident that he will be the victor tonight, and his legion of fans from Stony Hill will be there to cheer him on.

Beckford, who is not as talkative as Mullings, exudes a quiet confidence and says that he is ready for anything that his opponent will throw at him. "I have been there for a while and I have seen him fight. I am well prepared and he will have to come good on Wednesday. I expect to win and move on," he declared.

Mullings, at 5'8", is taller and more muscular than Beckford and has a physical advantage over his opponent. Beckford, at 5'6", is a more compact fighter and likes the action at close range.