Fresh off securing a bronze medal in the men’s 55-kilogram division at the 2024 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games held in the Dominican Republic, rising Barbadian boxing star Jabali Breedy has returned home to Bridgetown with his sights set on far greater milestones in the sport. The athlete touched down at Grantley Adams International Airport on Sunday, where he spoke exclusively with local outlet Barbados TODAY about his performance, the challenges he faced in the tournament, and his long-term career ambitions.
Breedy framed the 2024 CAC Games as another milestone in his evolving career, but made clear that a third-place finish has only fueled his hunger for higher honors. He explained that his result came after months of disciplined preparation: he logged between six and eight weeks of focused training camp ahead of the competition, and this bronze marks his second podium finish at the CAC Games, a consistency he says he’s proud to have built.
The 55kg division in this year’s tournament delivered a much stiffer test than many competitors expected, Breedy noted, with a field packed with elite-level opponents including seasoned Olympians and past international medalists. “The level of competition was really tough,” he emphasized. While he was satisfied with his own performance, Breedy acknowledged a tinge of disappointment after falling short of his goal of winning gold. Still, he said he is grateful to have secured a medal for his home nation, adding that “I am still happy to bring home a medal for Barbados and make the country proud.”
Looking ahead, Breedy has already turned his focus to the upcoming Pan American Games, where he aims to add more wins to his professional record and continue building momentum toward his ultimate career goal. “I want to be an undisputed champion, the first Bajan to ever get four belts in a weight class,” he said in an interview, laying out his historic ambition.
His coach, Garry Bowen, echoed Breedy’s assessment of the high-stakes competition at the CAC Games, noting that many participating boxers had been in year-long training camps ahead of the tournament. The Barbadian team had the advantage of joining one of the regional pre-tournament preparation programs, Bowen said, so the intensity of the competition did not catch them off guard. He praised Breedy for his unshakable confidence throughout the event, a trait that he says has been key to the athlete’s consistent success. “Breedy is always confident, always believes he can do it and he did a fantastic job. The other boxers tried their best as well,” Bowen added.