Boxers face Caribbean’s best in Barbados

Dariel Ebanks with national coach Ryan Barrett.

A team of amateur boxers from the Cayman Islands touched down in Barbados Monday night (5 December) to compete in the 2nd Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament.

Representing the islands are light heavyweight southpaw Dariel Ebanks, lightweight Alexander Smith and Hopkin Ebanks, who has recently got back into the ring.

“The Cayman team have had great preparation in recent weeks, taking on a tough team from London in at the Lions Centre in October and travelling to neighbours Jamaica last month,” a spokesperson for the Cayman Islands Amateur Boxing Association said.

Dariel Ebanks picked up wins on both cards, showcasing his skill and ringsmanship to outclass his opponents. He is expected to do well in the competitive light heavyweight division.

Alex Smith has his eyes on the Youth Commonwealth Games.

Alex Smith has his eyes on the Youth Commonwealth Games.

Alexander Smith has improved drastically in his three international bouts and will look to do the same in Barbados this week. He constantly wins high praise from national team coach, Ryan Barrett, who will be at the tournament with the team.

Hopkin Ebanks has gained valuable ring experience in recent years at international tournaments before a brief hiatus from fighting earlier this year. He will be spurred on by the presence of trainer Nayon ‘Donie’ Anglin in his corner. Anglin has spent considerable time with the fighter.

The 6-10 December tournament allows boxers from the Caribbean to compete with each other annually as part of the development programme for the region. Other territories participating are Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St Maarten, the US Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.

Travelling with the team is boxing association president, Ann Marie Byrd, and vice president, Leyla Jackson, who will also be attending a regional AIBA meeting hosted by the World Bodies President Wu Ching Kuo immediately following the championships.

Cayman Islands Boxing official, Angel Almanza, is also in Barbados. He attended an AIBA officiating course prior to the tournament.

 

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