Arguably one of Cayman’s best amateur boxers to step in the ring, Christopher Hurlston will now take his fighting career to the next level following his decision to join the professional ranks of the sport.
Hurlston signed professionally with his coach, legendary British fighter Henry Wharton, who will manage and help promote Hurlston’s career.
“This signing is a testament to Henry’s Gym’s growing reputation for nurturing gym-made fighters and delivering on its promise of building champions,” Wharton stated in a Facebook post on Thursday, 17 Oct. “Exciting times ahead for Chris Hurlston as he embarks on his journey in the paid ranks.”
Hurlston, the 6-foot 7-inch heavyweight nicknamed the ‘345 Viking’, recorded several notable accomplishments as an amateur, including winning the Yorkshire Novice title.
Though he has enjoyed some highs as an amateur, it was his lowest moments that forced his hand in choosing to become a paid pro.
“What made me make the decision was the amount of times that I was robbed. Out of just 14 amateur fights … I won 10, when in reality it should’ve been … 13,” Hurlston told the Compass, while acknowledging that he had one “fair loss”.
“It just made me reevaluate myself. It’s just really a waste of time, if you don’t accomplish anything.”
He said his expectations are simply to give it his all, and he feels that the sky is the limit as long as Wharton is in his corner. However, as a professional, he understands funding is a major factor for his training and he is lobbying for sponsorship deals ahead of his first fight, which he plans to be in the first quarter of 2025.
“We’re aiming for sometime early next year,” he said. “Right now, we’re just going through little steps … gathering sponsors, got a few so far [but] … hopefully some of the local businesses [can] get behind me and push to help me,” which will help give his sponsors exposure, he added.
Hurlston said he plans to fight three or four times next year but wants to be strategic with his professional decisions and not rush the process to become the best boxer from the Cayman Islands.
“We haven’t had anyone in the boxing world that has given us much attention since Charles Whittaker. I would say he was the most accomplished pro boxer from Cayman and [I] look to take over that and take us to the next level.
“Obviously there is titles, we can speak about the whole lot, but right now the focus is to get going, rack up some wins, [and] gain knowledge because pro and amateur is really different.”
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