By Charmaine Austin, Staff ReporterLUCIEN CHEN constantly has a lot on his plate and while most people his age have already retired, he is determined to stay active in business.
The Gleaner caught up with the 70-year-old legendary boxing promoter and former racehorse owner yesterday but it was not pugilism that inspired his recent trip but rather bookmaking business, he being chairman of Track Price Plus Limited, the island's and the Caribbean's oldest and largest betting company.
Chen, who was on a five-year hiatus, is back to resume a more active role in the company that he started more than four decades ago with the late Melvin "Babu" Chin, father of the current CEO Xavier Chin.
Another change will also become evident as Chen's son Lenny, the former managing director, has been named co-CEO to work alongside Xavier Chin.
Chen meanwhile, has lived in the Miami area for the past few years but is toying with the idea of moving back to Jamaica where he can effectively carry out his duties but this and other plans he will hold close to his chest for right now.
"I want to play a more active role in Track Price Plus. I've always been an active person so it's very difficult to be sitting back and not do anything," he said.
Regarding a move back to Jamaica, he said: "It's difficult to operate from overseas and there are some other plans that I have that will require me being here so I'll let you know later on. I miss Jamaica a lot and I'm thinking of coming back home.
"The thing is this though -- I want to support the local horseracing industry and work side by side with the racing body. I want to establish a good relationship with Caymanas Track Limited. I believe all bookmakers should cooperate with them because without them there would be no business and that would leave thousands of people out of work."
Also listed among Chen's plans is the staging of dinner-boxing events, a concept he introduced to Jamaica and which he has successfully managed to stage in a 45-year period.
During that time he promoted three world title fights and as part of Jamaica's Independence celebrations in 1962, promoted the British Empire and Commonwealth lightweight fight between champion Dave Charnley of England and Jamaica's boxing star Bunny Grant at the National Stadium.
