HISTORY

Back in the year 1990, one, Mr. Leopold Smart along with some other individuals decided to dedicate their time and hard work to bringing the sport of boxing into the Belizean culture. During this time there were three known gyms that trained boxers operating in Belize City. In 1990 at the Lake-I Center on Mahogany Street with the assistance of Carlos Diaz, Mr. Smart began training youths in the sport of boxing. A number of his fighters went on to box professionally, including Michael Jones (not the footballer), Melvin Bood, Tyrone Bood, Joseph Eagan and Edward Lynch. There were regular competitions held in Belize City, Cayo and even San Pedro among the competitors were local fighters and sometimes fighters from Mexico or Guatemala. In 1995, Mr. Smart, took a team to the Central American Games in Guatemala City along with Gus Torres from Cayo, and they brought back 1 gold (Errol Banner – middleweight), 1 silver (Michael Soberanis – Junior Middleweight), and 2 bronze medals (Joseph Eagan – Lightweight, and Horace Cadle – Welterweight).  Also in the Copa America that was hosted by Belize in 2000, he along with Gus Torres of Cayo led the Belize team to success in a tournament that was dominated by Belizeans. From Belize City, Moses Sulph, Joseph Eagan and Horace Cadle won gold; and Tucker won silver. The next event that they participated in was the Olympic trials in Tampa, Florida in which, unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in obtaining any victories. Shortly after that the sport died down due to migration of some of the participants as well as financial difficulties and support.

 

BOXING TODAY

Fortunately, Mr. Smart did not give up on the sport, and today he along with Mr. Tucker provides training to some sixteen young men and women from ages 11 – 26 years in his gym located downstairs of the Belize Civic Center. He along with Mr. Anthony Michaels, Director of the Belize National Sports Council, is responsible for the current resurgence of the sport in Belize. At this time there are only amateur boxers, however, a couple of the fighters are on their way to becoming professional boxers and it is the hope of all involved that there will be enough support both in regards to fans and exposure, as well as financial support to fund the development of the boxing. Another major concern that Mr. Smart expressed was the need for more people to become involved in the sport, there is the need for more gyms to facilitate training as well as more individuals to become fighters.  Six of his fighters who recently took part in the boxing event at the Biltmore Plaza in October, are Sherman Galvez, Max Williams, Anderson Petillo, Zane Rudon, Harold Moriano and Colin Lamb.

BOXER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Twenty-three year old Max Williams is one of the fighters that won in one of the fights held earlier in October. He won by KO in the first round, displaying impressive strength and skills in the ring. Max has been involved in boxing from when he was seventeen years old and enjoys the sport. He is dedicated and determined to make it as a professional boxer which he plans to work towards accomplishing in the next two to three years. He personally feels that the sport allows an individual to build strong character as well as discipline and humility.

I would just like to wish all those involved in the sport luck and I know that all Belizeans are eager to see what will happen next. I was informed by Mr. Smart that the next planned bout is to take place in January of next year.

By: L. Young