More than 10 Cayman boxers will put their training to the test at the ‘Steven Ross Memorial Boxing Show’ set for Saturday, 23 March, at Bevvy (the old Margaritaville Hotel).
The event will mark the second fight night in three months held locally, after a two-year-plus hiatus.
Alva Suckoo, president of the Cayman Islands Boxing Association, said he is pleased to bring back the fights for the athletes and fans.
“This was part of the plan,” Suckoo told the Compass. “We recognised that we needed more events because if these guys are training to get better, they need to compete.”
The fight night will feature seven amateur fights and a white-collar bout between Ben Ebanks and Martin Thomas.
Caymanian-Jamaican boxer Jaden Eccleston will headline the event in a light heavyweight fight against the oncoming Bahamian, Elijah Smith.
Local gyms collide
While Eccleston and Smith will close the show, the bout between a pair of 17-year-old Caymanians, Geno Brown and Alec Lopez, is considered to be the ‘people’s main event’.
According to Suckoo, both fighters are looking to establish themselves as the ‘people’s champion’ and to earn bragging rights for their respective gyms.
“We wanted to start competition amongst the gyms and this is the first step,” Suckoo said.
Brown, who fights under coach Floyd Moxam at the D. Dalmain Ebanks Boxing Gymnasium, holds a 2-0 record. Lopez sits at 4-2, which includes a TKO victory. He will be representing the Performance Lab, where he trains under Floyd Trumpet.
“I am excited about that fight,” Suckoo said. “It’s a friendly rivalry. I think Geno actually requested it… they are both good boxers, early in their careers.”
Brac boy
Brion Walton, another highlighted fighter on the card, will make the trip from Cayman Brac to throw down in his boxing debut against David Bodden.
Without any training from a coach, Walton will put his self-practice to the test against a tough Bodden to open the card on Saturday.
“He has a love for the combat sports,” Suckoo said about Walton. “He has been training himself, because they don’t have a full-time training gym in the Brac,” he added, noting that Walton has only taken part in occasional boxing clinics in the Sister Islands.
Neither Walton nor Bodden has any fight experience, with Bodden never taking part in an official boxing match. Suckoo said the results of the bout is a coin flip but fans can expect a slugfests.
“We are going to give both… the opportunity to showcase their skills.”
Doors for the event will open at 5:30pm, with admission at $25 per person.
Suckoo said the plan is to stay consistent with fight nights this year, with another event, featuring regional boxers, expected as soon as May.
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