Castries tourism officials are preparing for what they described as ?exciting times? as the island prepares to stage a major international sports event at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

The event, called ?Showtime in Paradise? features a night of professional boxing on November 16 which will be shown live on major television networks in the United States and is being promoted by Goosen-Tudor Promotions, a prominent company in the business of promoting professional boxing.

St Lucia’s Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet said the staging of such an event here was part of a decision by Sports Minister Lenard Montoute to have the Beausejour Cricket Ground put to alternative use so the facility could better serve the needs of St Lucians.

Paxton Baker, who once worked with the St Lucia Tourist Board in staging the St Lucia Jazz Festival, has been instrumental in giving the country the vital sports tourism link. Baker is now the executive vice-president of BET J.

Through BET J, Chastanet was able to meet Dan Goosen of Goosen-Tudor Promotions and this led to a contingent of officials from St Lucia attending the Oscar De la Hoya / Floyd Mayweather bout in May. Chastanet was able to make valuable contacts during that trip.

A meeting was subsequently held in St Lucia involving Goosen-Tudor officials, Showtime and BET J. A site inspection was also made of various venues and the Beausejour Cricket Ground was selected as the most suitable venue for the big event.

The November 16 card will feature six fights and promoters are expected to make an announcement on the actual match-ups soon.

?Showtime in Paradise? will be re-telecast on BET J and the channel will also feature two 30-minute shows highlighting the boxers during their stay in St Lucia.