Adrian Roach On Boxing, Brampton Cup, More
Professional boxer Adrian Roach has backed a team of the island’s top amateurs to challenge for medals at the Brampton Cup in Canada this weekend.
Zane Furbert-Tankard, Mustafa Abdul-Jabbar, Tristan Burgess, Musa Abdul-Jabbar, Anahj Smith, Muryah Swan, Hurven-Jay Burgess, Shiloh Cruickshank and Dasha Phillips will compete at the tournament in Ontario from tomorrow [February 5] to Sunday.
They will be accompanied by coaches Roach, Garon Wilkinson and Krista Dyer.
The boxers, aged between 13 and 17, are drawn from Controversy Gym, Aries Sports Centre and Fresh & Hungry Boxing Club, with the tournament open to Novice and Open Class male and female competitors.
Roach, who represented Crandall University in Moncton, New Brunswick, at the Brampton Cup in 2024 and last year, is behind the initiative and has been helping coach the team alongside Leo Richardson, Wilkinson and Dyer.
Several open sparring events have been held at Nikki Bascome’s Fresh & Hungry Boxing Club in Warwick to help raise funds for the trip.
“I wanted to provide an opportunity for these boxers to develop their skill sets and gain experience in overseas competition — and the Brampton Cup is perfect,” Roach told Bernews.
“I contacted my alma mater, as a lot of these athletes are at an age where they can start applying to universities. I wanted to see what opportunities they might have through that exposure.”
Roach said the project had been a collective effort from across the local boxing community.
“Everyone has put their hat in the ring,” he said. “Andre Lambe has offered himself to spar with the kids, and Varo Pelon Andrade, Andre’s coach, has helped facilitate the sparring sessions at Nikki’s gym.
“Leo has been heavily involved, and Garon has allowed Aries to be used as another facility. Everyone has worked together for the greater good.”
Roach said he had high expectations for the team.
“I have really big expectations for these athletes based on the results I’ve seen, the work they’ve put in and their developing skill sets,” he said. “I’m expecting some medals.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the team’s efforts can email Adrian Roach at adriroach@gmail.com.
