Transpharm Sports in collaboration with Pink Mako introduced its highly anticipated boxing event, Thrilla in Anguilla, which took place on December 26, 2020 at the Royale Caribbean Conference Centre. The event featured five scintillating bouts each containing formidable amateur boxers, all of whom train under the Anguilla Boxing Association (ABA).
In the opening Bout, Clarone “Piranha” Rogers and Edwin Sutton went head-to-head, with Clarone dominating in the first round with his southpaw style, consistently landing powerful body shots with his left-hand. Sutton proved most formidable as he continued to wear Rogers down by strategically absorbing his punches, maintaining movement and ultimately landing the most punches in the second and third rounds.
In the Second Bout, Kennelva “Tiny” Brooks and Neemy Experience went toe-to-toe for two intense rounds. Brooks displayed great determination as she dominated in both rounds by maintaining momentum and limiting Experience’s ability to land punches.
Bout Three, dubbed one of the most exhilarating match-ups of the evening, saw the pairing of Mijah Harrigan and Didier Graham. Both athletes demonstrated great prowess, dexterity and endurance making each round difficult to call. Harrigan landed a combination of head and body shots while Graham used his agility to evade numerous punches while consistently landing headshots. However, it was Harrigan that ultimately dominated each of the three rounds by most notably pinning Graham up against the ropes to land several consecutive punches.
Bout Four – The Exhibition Event – saw the pairing of boxing enthusiast’s Brandell Jeffers and Hilroy Alfred. Both athletes demonstrated a keen interest and are committed to continued development in the sport. Jeffers who had limited training in preparation for the event in comparison to his counterpart, as well as an existing injury, faired well against Alfred. Alfred who is an all-round athlete and sports enthusiast has been training for just under three months. Both athletes made for an exciting exhibition match-up.
The most anticipated match-up of the evening, Bout Five, featured Curlun Richardson and Japeth Olton both of whom have six years’ experience in the sport. Richardson and Olton have both represented Anguilla regionally and internationally in the sport competing in bouts at the 2017 Creole Games in St. Lucia. Richardson also represented Anguilla in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Goal Coast, Australia. This pairing made for the most thrilling match-up of the evening as the crowd was at the edge of their seats in what was shaping up to be an indeterminate match-up as Richardson and Olton matched each other punch for punch. Olton was able to successfully deliver five consecutive punches of which the final resulted in the conclusion of the bout by a knock-out in the second round. In the end it was Olton who took home the coveted Thrilla In Anguilla Orange Belt.
The event sought to raise awareness about the sport of boxing on the island, as well as to extend the offer to boxing enthusiasts who wish to participate in the sport, improve their discipline and/or increase their fitness level, to join the Anguilla Boxing Association’s membership of athletes. The sport of Boxing has a rich, yet understated, history in the Anguillian community thanks to the efforts of sons of the soil such as Easy Boy Lake in the 1970s, and Cecil Jr. Hodge in the late 2000s. Mr. Cecil Jr. Hodge served as a national boxing athlete and coach to the Anguilla Revolution Fighters – a local boxing club formed in 2009 under the previous Anguilla Boxing Association. Hodge viewed boxing as a disciplined sport that taught anger management and allowed for a demonstration of athletic ability in a sport that is not traditional to the Anguillian community. During this time, Hodge partnered with Coach Calvin Connor and, under their supervision, saw a contingent of boxers, from its then 21-membership team, featured in regional match-ups in St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Lucia and St. Kitts.
Boxing has since garnered much acclaim on the island. Governor Tim Foy, who was impressed by the boxer’s performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Goal Coast, Australia, made the donation of a boxing ring after securing funding from the Global Britain Fund. The Anguilla Boxing Association (ABA) has since been re-branded and, under its new administration, now comprises 35 male and female boxing enthusiasts who are committed to their development in the sport. Trainings are held from Monday to Friday between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the ABA training centre located on the second floor of the Tomac Plaza. Persons interested in registering to be trained in the sport of boxing can do so by emailing transharmsports@gmail.com for further details.
Transpharm Sports and Pink Mako would like to extend a hearty Thank You to the Anguilla Boxing Association (ABA) and its athletes, coaches, judges & referees; the event sponsors: Bud Light & Grey Goose by Tropical Distributors and BIP & Play Go by Digicel; Jibri Lewis & his Team; Titanium Audio Visual (TAV); Vanburn “Andy” Brookes; Ruff Training; ANGLEC; Coastal Masonry Solutions; Ashley & Sons and Lee Brooks; Millennium Sound & Staging; Mepits Solutions; Victor “Mello Cello” Nickeo (Announcer); Omari “Black Boy International” Gumbs (Host); Colin Johnson, John Millington & Lucien “Tony” Fleming (Commentators); and the event production, management & service team. To the event vendors Royale Caribbean Conference Centre, BEP Services, Black Orchid Florists, Craze and Exodus HD, thank you.
Without the combined efforts of the above-mentioned, this event would not have been possible. Transpharm Sports and Pink Mako would also like to thank the general public for their support of this event and its initiative to raise awareness and foster continued development of the sport of boxing.
– Press Release
