The boxing scene is really picking up in the Cayman Islands and the next show is and sees the return of Charles ‘The Killa’ Whittaker in a title fight at Camana Bay.
West Bay’s finest goes toe to toe with David Toribio of the Dominican Republic for the USBA light-middleweight title on 11 June. It is Killa’s first bout here in three years and he deserves support considering how long and hard his career has been to establish himself, having to fight all over the world in the process just to get matched.
The undercard is an excellent one too. The main support fight is between Killa’s two sparring partners, Haitian-American Wilky ‘Silky’ Campfort and Jamaica’s Tsetsi ‘Lights Out’ Davis in a light-middleweight bout. Both are novice pros with ambitions of reaching world class so there will be plenty of motivation when they clash so fireworks are guaranteed.
There are a couple of other bouts on the bill involving US based fighters and local interest will be piqued by local hard man Peter ‘Lightning’ Lewison making his pro debut at middleweight against Jose Laguer who is based in Florida.
There is a large Filipino population here and they are likely to turn out to see Alfred Deano make his pro debut at bantam weight. Deano was Philippines amateur champion four times and the 20-year-old stylist hopes to emulate his legendary compatriot Manny Pacquiao.
Deano had 69 contests and only lost four. Based in Davao City, he has been over here since March. He signed off his amateur days with an easy demolition of a visiting Jamaican in April at the D Dalmain Ebanks gym and will return to the Philippines after his debut against New Jersey-based Anthony Fraguada.
Cayman’s head boxing coach Donie Anglin will be the referee of the main fighters.
“Manny Pacquiao is my idol and I want to emulate him,” said Deano. “Like him I am a southpaw and rely on speed and he started his career at a similar weight to me.
“He is the best boxer in the world and my ambitions are to be the WBC champ. It’s always been that since I started boxing at 11. My uncle was a pro boxer. He did well in the Philippines but did not have many chances to go far. I’m very grateful to be here in the Cayman Islands and getting opportunities. I hope the Filipinos here buy tickets.”
Deano is certainly making the most of the excellent facilities, sparring and coaching he is getting and has looked impressive. He spars with the best amateurs and holds his own in regular sessions with Davis who is 25lbs heavier.
Deano’s trainer is ‘Stormin’ Norman Wilson, the pro trainer who has injected plenty of fresh ideas into the amateur programme and through his long association with Killa has helped him overcome many obstacles over the years.
It was a combination of Whittaker and Wilson who got Deano here. The youngster is a student from Davao City where Wilson has a house, boxing gym and businesses. American Wilson is married to a Filipino, Jenrose.
They spotted his talent and Killa found Deano a manager based in Grand Cayman, Al Suckoo who has his own computer software company, Blue Bison. Suckoo said; “I’ve always loved boxing and trained in an amateur gym for a while. Whenever Charles fought I would give him a few dollars and that’s how I got interested in managing Alfred, through Charles’s connection.”
Suckoo, 40 had taken out a manager’s licence in Florida with the intention to promote fighters there. It was on Killa’s suggestion that he decided to back Deano with a view to managing other Filipinos if terms are right.
Suckoo added: “When Charles suggested I form a promotional contract with Alfred he convinced me that it would be a good opportunity to bring him down. With Alfred’s pedigree he is already on par with Pacquiao and I think he has the potential to be an all-time great.
“I’m not really managing him to make money, it’s just that I really love boxing and my satisfaction will be seeing Alfred fighting for a world title on a Las Vegas show and knowing that he is my fighter.”
Coach Norman has high expectations for Deano. “By the way Alfred handles himself in the ring he can reach the very top,” he said. “He just needs the right outlet.
“Many fighters don’t get the opportunities he’s getting. Pacquiao didn’t have that great an amateur record. Alfred fought on the national team and hasn’t been beaten in five years.
“Whenever there will be a show here, Alfred will be on it and maybe a few more. We’ve got another Filipino lined up who is 7-0 to bring over who is fighting in the Philippines on the same night.
“In the Philippines, Alfred will box once or twice a month and could challenge for a junior title very quickly. He has been sparring with a much bigger, seasoned fighter here who has not been pulling his punches yet Alfred has not been in trouble. He gets caught now and again but not too often. You can make the assumption that he is destined to be great.”
Tickets for the boxing show on 11 June at Camana Bay Arts and Recreation Centre range from $35 to VIP $125 and are available from Funky Tangs, Reflections, Four Winds Esso, Hardware Express, Devil’s Hangout or by calling 926-0749 or 926-8011.
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