2nd Cayman Boxer Heads To Ireland

Thanks to a generous sponsorship commitment by local financial services provider Grant Thornton Specialist Services, the Cayman Islands Boxing Association will be sending local boxer Hepseba Angel to Ireland for some intense training and sparring opportunities with boxing coach Liam Brereton who is currently in Ireland with Cayman’s Brandy Barnes, another outstanding female boxer.

Hepseba, who is now 3-0 with a knockout to her credit, will be working with coach Liam Brereton’s gym in Edenderry, Ireland as he prepares the duo for upcoming international competitions with the 2022 Commonwealth Games first on the list.

Both boxers will be put through a rigorous conditioning program and will have the opportunity to sharpen their skills through intense sparring sessions during the international camp, an opportunity they do not yet have in the Cayman Islands due to the limited number of suitable sparring partners, and female boxers. Coach Brereton is hosting an international sparring camp during this period which will host experienced female boxers from countries like India, Barbados, and Ireland in addition to the two women from Cayman. The two women will also be competing in the Celtic Cup in furtherance of these objectives. Due to these commitments, unfortunately Coach Brereton has had to remain in Ireland, whilst overseeing these training and sparring camps, which will extend through to the Commonwealth Games. This decision was also in part related to the heightened regulations imposed in Cayman preventing the spread of Covid-19 preventing adequate competition preparation. Coach Brereton remains a staunch supporter of the Cayman Islands Boxing Association, and both females will be returning to Irish camp after the Christmas break.

CIBA has high hopes for Hepseba, who is employed by Grant Thornton Specialist Services, and have expressed their appreciation for this generous sponsorship offering which includes a commitment to allow Hepseba leave to attend the camp.

CIBAS Board of Directors issued the following statement,

“It is so refreshing and encouraging to receive this level of support for one of our boxers. Grant Thornton Specialist Services have stepped up in a big way to ensure that Hepseba has the requisite level of support to ensure she receives the training she needs to move up the ranks in women’s boxing without being distracted by financial and work concerns. We are extremely grateful to them for stepping up.”.

Speaking on behalf of sponsor Grant Thornton Specialist Services, Managing Director Margot MacInnis stated,

“At Grant Thornton our most valuable assets are the exceptionally talented people we employ and work with on a daily basis. Hepseba has a bright insolvency & restructuring career ahead of her. The opportunity for Hepseba to represent our country at Commonwealth and hopefully future Olympic level boxing competitions is something we support whole heartedly and is an incredible opportunity for Hepseba. CIBA is doing great work with our Cayman athletes and their programs which feature the principles and skills of hard work, determination and resilience. We wish Hepseba all the best in her training program!”

Hepseba departed the Cayman Islands on 9 October and is expected to be in Ireland for approximately eight weeks. It is anticipated that there will be additional training camps and opportunities overseas for Caymans boxers as international competition opportunities become available.

Meanwhile, CIBA continues to focus on youth boxing locally despite the difficulties presented by the ongoing pandemic and plans to restructure and refocus the organisations activities are currently underway with several exciting developments soon to be announced.