A journey that started with the aim of getting fit, turned into an amateur boxing career for Ben Vagniez, now undefeated at 3-0, who is still buzzing after his first-round knockout victory at the most recent fight night.
Vagniez, who described himself as a skinny runner who wanted to gain upper body strength, decided in 2019 he would step away from athletics and start training at the D. Dalmain Ebanks Boxing Gymnasium.
“I would run past the boxing gym but I never really liked getting into fights and I just thought it was interesting,” Vagniez told the Compass. “I did a lot of other sports as well, but I wasn’t that great at them; I was pretty decent at boxing and my coaches just said you have to keep going.
Lo and behold, competing in his first fight would follow months after he made the decision to train in the sport.
His debut against Jaydon Robinson resulted in a split-decision victory. Vagniez returned to the ring in 2021, where he picked up another split-decision win, this time defeating Lucas Gaspar.
The same fight night where Vagniez picked up his second win, also marked the last local boxing event for the next 31 months, until the ‘Clash in Cayman’ held last December.
However, with that card built around professional fighters, amateur bouts were limited, and Vagniez’s return to the ring was further delayed another three months.
Potential realised
His third amateur fight was included in the first-ever ‘Steven Ross Memorial Boxing Show’ last month, where he was arguably the biggest star of the night. Vagniez was the only fighter on the night to earn a first round TKO.
He defeated Bahamian Benito Rolle in what was dominant beatdown, which forced Rolle’s coach to throw in the towel at two minutes and 12 seconds into the fight.
Since then, Vagniez, now nicknamed the ‘South Sound Savage’ said he has seen a change in his popularity, but it’s business as usual with the boxer, who added he is itching for another bout.
“I’m just here training again,” he said. “It’s nice to get recognition.”
Vagniez is slated to compete in June against an oncoming Bajan but the Cayman Islands Boxing Association has yet to announce the official date and card.
When asked where he sees himself in the sport, Vagniez replied: “I just like to fight. I don’t really have a specific direction but if I just get to keep fighting, I’ll fight anyone, anywhere, and I would like to set my goals high but also I have to be realistic.”
Despite not having a clear path in the sport, Vagniez said he is taking it fight by fight but noted that becoming a professional isn’t a bad option considering the wealth that comes with it.
“I would love to turn pro,” he said. “If I can make money from it, that sounds like a great idea. It’s a violent sport by nature, some people don’t understand it… but some people enjoy it, and I am one of those people. It’s sweet science.”
Coach’s praise
Vagniez’s recent success comes after dedicated training under coaches Flloyd Moxam and Eric McField.
Moxam told the Compass that his athlete’s early success in the sport is testament to his commitment and fearlessness.
“He usually comes into the gym sunburnt because he’s out fishing but when he comes, he’s never on his phone, he isn’t doing this for Instagram,” Moxam said. “He’s the hardest worker in the room.
“I put him in the ring with the guys north of 250 pounds, and he does not back down, and to me, you can’t teach heart.”
Vagniez like many other local boxers, including standout prospects Jaden Eccleston, Alec Lopez and Chris Hurlston, hopes to stay busy in the ring and he’ll get another opportunity to remain undefeated this June.
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