By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE a minor injury setback that has delayed the date of his final professional bout, Meacher "Major Pain" Major said he remains on course to deliver the best fight of his career.

Major is now scheduled to square off against Martin Anderson of Jamaica in an eight-round lightweight main event in the "The Last Dance" at the CI Gibson Gymnasium on October 27.

"Thanks to my promoter Howard Thompson Jr for the change of date, understanding the importance of this last fight, and wanting me to be healthy going in. The injury is nothing severe that will have any effect going into the fight. I thank God for that," Major said.

"I just had some tightness I was feeling in my muscle in my left arm, the main hand for using my jab, so my trainer advised me to have it checked out by the doctor which I did.

"The doctor told me to take some time off and to use that time effectively, have it massaged daily and to rest it for a few days. I should be back healthy within coming days. I don't want to go into my last fight not being 100 per cent because I want this fight here to be the best of my career."

Major said the date change may be an act of serendipity to coincide with his birthday and the first fight of his career.

"It may be a coincidence I feel and a part of God's plan for me to end my career a day before my birthday. My first professional fight was on my birthday, October 28, 2000, on the undercard of Ray Minus vs Quincy Pratt Final War."

Major and Anderson first faced each other in April 2016 at the Caribbean Showdown, hosted at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. In a super featherweight main event, Major secured a second round TKO.

"My focus, plans and preparation for the fight remains the same. I want to give the fans an awesome performance like they have never seen from me before," he said. "I'm not anticipating any early knockout like previous fights at home. This is a rematch and I know that Martin Anderson is coming back hard, but he's going to be in for a surprise and may consider retiring with me after this fight."

Major thanked Bet Vegas Casino as his major sponsors for his final fight and promised the level of production his fans have come to expect.

"This fight is special because it's dedicated to my uncles James and Bob that have both passed away recently and one of my bothers, Whitfield. They were always at my fights either walking out with me or came to see me in the locker room before fight time," he said. "It's also dedicated to my parents and fight fans that always supported me throughout my career. 'The Last Dance' is an event you will not want to miss."