Several amateurs who will be fighting this weekend were treated to a visit from boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., who offered inspiration and tips to the Cayman youngsters.
Jones Jr. sat down with nine boxers at the D. Dalmain Ebanks Gymnasium on Saturday, 8 June for a Q&A – one week before Elite Fight Night 6, on 15 June, where Cayman will throw down against boxers from Barbados at Bevvy (the former Margaritaville hotel).
“I was just telling them about knowing who they are, knowing what boxing is … to hit and not get hit,” Jones Jr. told the Compass, noting that fighters need to understand what they are getting themselves into, otherwise they’ll fall behind.
Jones Jr. will not be attending Saturday’s event, though he did come to the ‘Clash in Cayman’ in December, will feature eight bouts, headlined by the undefeated ‘South Sound Savage’ Ben Vagniez.
Cayman Islands Boxing Association president Alva Suckoo is encouraging members of the public to come out and support the young local fighters.
“We are facing Barbados; we have never faced them before, so we don’t know what they are coming with,” Suckoo told the Compass. “We want the home crowd advantage. We need to inspire our guys. Roy did a hell of a job inspiring them today but we want the crowd there cheering them on because that goes a long way.”
The last time Cayman fought under the lights at Bevvy was three months ago, when the locals dominated fighters from Bahamas in a clean sweep. However, Suckoo acknowledged that the fighters from Barbados will present challenges.
“I expect the competition to be tough,” Suckoo said, adding that a lot of Cayman boxers “are doing exams right now. So, they are studying, coming to the gym, putting in the personal time and sacrificing but that’s what it takes to make it in boxing.
“We are not underestimating the Barbados fighters at all because they are known for boxing,” he said, noting that both gyms on island (D. Dalmain Gym and Performance Lab) will join under one umbrella to fight for their nation.
The event will begin at 5:30 pm on Saturday, 15 June, with general admission tickets priced at $25.
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