Troy Williamson nonetheless remembers the hole feeling in his abdomen as he refreshed his cellphone many times, making an attempt to succeed in his father in Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa had torn throughout the island the place the British boxer’s father, brothers and sisters lived.

“When no one may get in contact we had no thought what had occurred,” remembers Williamson. “The worst case [was] that they weren’t right here any extra.”

For 4 days, the Darlington fighter – who faces Callum Simpson reside on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Saturday – heard nothing.

He skilled and waited, however feared the worst whereas photos of the storm’s destruction unfold throughout social media.

“It felt like a really very long time, particularly once you noticed how dangerous it was,” the 34-year-old tells BBC Sport.

Finally, a message flashed up on Fb Messenger from his father, Gerald Atkinson, who someway reached a wi-fi sign after the cellphone strains had failed.

There was a sigh of aid, earlier than actuality set in.

The hurricane had worn out the home and family-run sports activities bar.

G’s Cool Spot was well-known amongst locals and British holidaymakers visiting the costal city of Black River in St Elizabeth. Now it is a wreck.

“It demolished their dwelling and enterprise. Because it stands they’ve nowhere to reside. They’re making an attempt to restore and rebuild,” provides Williamson.

“The sports activities bar is gone, mainly. It is washed away. It wants a full rebuild.”

The hurricane struck Jamaica on 28 October as a class 5 storm, leading to 28 confirmed deaths.

Roughly 1.5 million folks – greater than half of the nation’s inhabitants – have been impacted.

Lenders have collectively put ahead as much as $6.7bn (£5bn) over three years to help Jamaica’s restoration from Hurricane Melissa, alongside wider worldwide assist efforts.

Williamson himself has launched a fundraising marketing campaign and already acquired donations – together with £1,000 from the public sale of a signed glove – to assist cowl fundamentals like meals, clothes and momentary lodging.

His brother will fly out in December, and Williamson hopes to observe.

Earlier than he can board that airplane, Williamson should face Barnsley’s unbeaten Simpson – a tricky task at a testing second in his personal profession.