Will the knockouts continue tonight? That is the question that is being asked, as the Wray and Nephew Contender boxing series moves into its seventh week of competition at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium, with seasoned professional Ricardo Planter going up against pro debutante Allan Cann.

Sixteen boxers started the journey on March 7, and so far six have been eliminated. The remainder are vying for the Wray and Nephew Middleweight Contender title and a first prize of $1 million. The runner-up in the competition gets $500,000, third place $250,000 and fourth $200,000. The series is being promoted by MJK Productions, is approved by the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control, and sponsors are Wray and Nephew, Foska Oats and TVJ. The main bout is broadcast at 9.30 p.m. by TVJ each Wednesday night.

This is the seventh and penultimate week of preliminary fights, and every week so far they have ended either by knockout or technical knockout. Cann, who lived in the USA for some time and returned to his Mandeville home recently, will be making his professional debut. He will therefore be going over three rounds for the first time, against an opponent who has had 11 professional fights.

Planter's record is not great, as he has won four fights, one by knockout, lost five and has drawn two. What he takes into the ring tonight, however, is experience, and it will mean a lot. His opponent is a capable boxer with better-than-average skills, but the fact is, this will be his first professional fight and he starts with that disadvantage.

He will be motivated by his Bruising Gym and Green team colleagues, as well as his coach Carl Grant. One will just have to wait to see how he handles the pressure that he will undoubtedly face. It could turn out to be an interesting contest. The night's activities will start at 8.30 p.m. with two amateur bouts.