Contributed
Three St Lucia boxers preparing for the Commonwealth Games left the island recently for England for a training camp that is expected to get them in top shape for the Games.
Light middleweight Kyghan Mortley, middleweight Arthur Langellier and super heavyweight Leran Regis were accompanied by National Head Boxing Coach, Conrad Fredericks.
The trio, from the Vigie Boxing Gym, are the most senior and experienced boxers and are set to compete at the Games to be held in Birmingham, England, from July 28 – August 8.
Prior to their departure, the boxers and coach received a courtesy call at the gym by Minister for Youth Development and Sport, the Honourable Kenson Casimir, Resident British Commissioner Lesley M. Saunderson, Joyce Huxley, Chef de Mission for the 2022 Birmingham Games and Irwin Jean, Vice-President of the St. Lucia Boxing Association (SLBA).
Minister Casimir commended the boxers for their determination as they were able to continue their training through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also congratulated them for making the team to the Commonwealth Games, imploring them to make the most of the opportunity.
“I’m very proud of their level of preparation and where they are right now and, of course, Saint Lucia will be proud that they will give a good account of themselves,” the minister said.
“It really speaks volumes of their character and their love for country, so I just want to encourage them to do their best.”
The minister also praised the efforts of the St. Lucia Boxing Association in preparing the boxers for the Games, noting that not enough credit is given to administrators.
“We must really remedy it as a nation, not just as a Ministry. I think we need to continue to commend and encourage those who volunteer their time and energies. So hats off to the St. Lucia Boxing Association for getting them prepared,” he said.
Meanwhile, President of the St Lucia Boxing Association David Christopher said the boxers have been making good progress with their training in England.
“I think this is the best preparation any boxing team in the history of Saint Lucia has ever gotten,” Christopher said.
“They’re presently training at two gyms in England, including the Repton Gym, where they’re getting their required amount of sparring and strength and conditioning with a special coach. They’re getting pad work, working on their shape and balance, and nutrition.”
The boxers will leave their training camp on July 23 for Birmingham prior to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
Christopher thanked the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, National Lotteries Authority, and St. Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC) Inc. for supporting the boxers’ training camp.
Fury and Joshua's 'biggest heavyweight match in the world' tipped for 2023 by Top Rank president
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua's long-awaited bout could finally come this year and would be the "biggest heavyweight match in the world".
That was the message on Wednesday from Top Rank president Todd DuBoef, a key member of Fury's United States promotional team who wants to see the all-British clash in 2023.
Joshua faces Jermaine Franklin on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, though speculation continues to swirl the former could face Fury after his undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk fell through.
Fury's promoter Hearn added fuel to the fire after expressing hopes of reviving negotiations with the entourage of Joshua, who DuBoef suggested would deserve a headline fight if he defeats Franklin.
"I've always said that that is the fight," DuBoef told Sky Sports.
"Both of them have great brands, huge fanbases, and fortunately both of them come from the UK, so it's wonderful that your country has been able to produce these incredible prizefighters.
"That fight is always there, and, to me, is the biggest heavyweight match in the world, because of the personalities and the stories."
Both camps have pointed the finger at each other after an April 29 meeting at Wembley between Fury and Usyk failed to come to fruition.
"The frustration is for all of us," DuBoef added on that bout. "All of us are frustrated, right?
"And I think timing has been an issue with trying to make this fight happen. I'm not going to say never, but I think we all want to see this unification, and we all have hope.
"But there was a timeline that was set up, and it just got ahead of everybody and it became very tight.
"Fortunately, there's always hope and an opportunity because I think both fighters really know that this is what the sport wants, and what they want."
While holding out hopes over the mouthwatering fight between Fury and Usyk, DuBoef says his client could even face both the Ukrainian and Joshua before the end of the year.
"That's the way we move," he continued. "We move with immediacy, and we move trying to figure out and get rationality to a situation.
"I think we've always wanted this fight for Fury and Joshua, and we've wanted to see Fury and Usyk, and Tyson has wanted that, and the Warrens, and we've worked hard in getting this done.
"I would love to see, and you've just laid out a great 2023 for the Fury side, if we could do Usyk and Joshua this year, it would be fantastic."
Benn and Eubank Jr not close to rescheduled fight – Hearn
A rescheduled bout between Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr is not yet close, but the former's promoter Eddie Hearn is still determined to make it happen.
The two had been due to meet in an all-British encounter last October before it was scrapped at short notice after Benn failed a drugs test.
Though Benn was subsequently restored to the WBC rankings, he remains barred by the British Boxing Board of Control from competing in the UK.
Suggestions earlier this week pointed to an announcement for a June fight in Abu Dhabi, but Hearn has now pushed back against claims a deal is near.
"It's definitely not [signed]," he told BBC Sport. "Conor Benn's had a number of offers internationally to fight, [like] Manny Pacquiao.
"Kell Brook was in the office yesterday – he's desperate to fight Conor Benn as well. For me, the fight I want to make is the rescheduled Chris Eubank fight."
Any bout between Benn and Eubank Jr would need the latter to get permission from the BBBofC, given the former is currently unsanctioned.
Both men are unlikely to get their blessing, however, with general secretary Robert Smith stating they would not back a fight in another country.
"If the situation remains as it is today then I would think that would be unlikely," Smith told The Guardian. "But we have not had any applications."
Eubank Jr last fought in January, when he was defeated by Liam Smith, while Benn had been strongly linked with a bout against Pacquiao, who is eyeing a return from his second retirement.
Joshua aims to get back to basics and eyes 'big nights ahead' after Franklin fight
Anthony Joshua has promised there are a "lot of big nights ahead" as he looks to make a statement in his return fight against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday.
Joshua will return to the ring for the first time in seven months as he looks to bounce back from consecutive defeats to Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk.
Franklin – his opponent – has a 21-1 record and lost his most recent bout against former world title challenger Dillian Whyte.
Joshua has moved to Dallas, Texas for this fight camp as he links up with renowned trainer Derrick James, with the heavyweight looking to get back to basics as he chases a winning formula.
Writing in his column for The Evening Standard, he said: "His message has been pretty simple… to go back to basics.
"The best athletes all do the basics well. In my last fight, I feel I maybe moved away from that a little bit.
"So, much of the in-camp training for the Jermaine Franklin fight at the O2 [Arena] on Saturday has been about stripping it down to the bare bones, getting my jab right, my defence, all the fundamentals of boxing.
"This is just the next chapter in my story but it also feels like the start of a long run, one I'm confident will also prove to be a long run of success.
"I see myself boxing for another three or four years and it feels like there are a lot of big nights ahead."
The 33-year-old's fight in London on Saturday will be his first without a world title involved since April 2016, but Joshua recognised the importance of the bout and the influence of new coach James.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he said: "This is massive! I've put in the work, I still dream big so I'm gonna go out there and make sure I get the job done.
"The goal is to take him out.
"Derick is up there with one of the best people I've ever spoken to about boxing.
"I appreciate his time and the fact that he took me one, he's a well sought after coach and I'm looking forward to showing him that he hasn't wasted his time by taking on this project."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
