PRESS RELEASE

GBH Promotions, in partnership with Fightzone and Fight Academy, is thrilled to announce an electrifying evening of world-class boxing set to take place in the Cayman Islands. On December 8th, 2023, the Lions’ Centre in Grand Cayman will play host to “CLASH IN CAYMAN,” an extraordinary boxing tournament that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience filled with the raw energy of professional boxing.

Headlining this exceptional card will be England’s own Matt Windle, hailing from Birmingham, who will defend his Commonwealth Light Flyweight Title against Doncaster’s Craig Derbyshire. This highly anticipated clash between two outstanding professional boxers is sure to be an enthralling spectacle. The event will also feature top amateur fighters from Grand Cayman, as well as fighters from around the world, including the USA, Canada, UK, Philippines, and more.

Adding to the excitement, boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. will grace the event, accompanied by two of his promising prospects, Eric Moon and Sabri Faruk, both of whom will step into the ring. With three amateur and eight professional bouts lined up, this pro-am event promises to showcase an array of incredible boxing talent.

Fightzone, founded in the UK in 2020 by prominent Sheffield businessman Steve Crump and renowned figure in the fight world, Dennis Hobson, stands as one of the globe’s leading boxing platforms. Hobson, a fixture in the fight game for three decades, is internationally recognised as one of the sport’s most influential figures. He has played a pivotal role in the careers of numerous world champions, including boxing legend Ricky Hatton, former heavyweight champion David Haye, and light-heavyweight kingpin Clinton Woods.

Despite his involvement in mega-fights across the world, including promoting Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas for a global audience, Dennis expresses his delight at working in Grand Cayman for the first time. He hopes that this event will mark the beginning of many more, eventually leading to the hosting of world title fights on the island.

“I have a deep affection for Grand Cayman,” remarked Hobson. “I’ve visited many times to catch up with my oldest school friend, Gary Gillatt, who has been a resident there for years. I have a genuine love for the place and its people and have long wanted to stage a boxing event here. I’m thrilled that it’s finally becoming a reality now.”

“Grand Cayman has a rich boxing history that we aim to build upon and expand,” he continued. “While there has been professional boxing in Cayman before, it’s particularly exciting to make history by hosting the island’s first Commonwealth Title fight, which is guaranteed to be a thrilling showdown. I’ve had the privilege of working with both Matt Windle and Craig Derbyshire in the past, and I can assure you they are two small fighters with enormous hearts who will leave it all in the ring on December 8th.”

Steve Crump of Fightzone added, “Fightzone has a massive global reach, and this presents a fantastic opportunity to put Grand Cayman on the international stage. In addition to broadcasting the event on the Fightzone platform, we will also be streaming it on various media channels, potentially reaching millions of viewers.”

Local Cayman business partner Barry Bodden, a respected figure in the community, expressed his enthusiasm for getting involved in the event. He sees it as a chance to support the local amateur boxing scene and raise the profile of the sport in Grand Cayman on a global scale.

“I’ve known Dennis for years, and we’re good friends,” Barry explained. “But I also recognise his high profile in the professional boxing world. Dennis has achieved nearly everything there is to in the sport, and I’m pleased that we’re finally working together to bring a night of outstanding boxing to our island.”

“On a personal and business level, my focus has always been on supporting youth and sports in the Cayman Islands,” he continued. “Through our partnership with the Cayman Island Boxing Association (CIBA), we will proudly showcase some of their talented young Caymanian fighters and raise funds to support the excellent work that CIBA does for our local amateur boxers.”

He concluded with optimism, stating, “The goal is for this event to be the first of many, marking the start of something truly groundbreaking for the island.”

Alva Suckoo, President of the Cayman Islands Boxing Association, expressed his wholehearted support for Clash in Cayman from the outset.

“The Cayman Islands Boxing Association is thrilled to announce its support and participation in this historic event,” said Mr. Suckoo. “It signifies the beginning of a series of boxing events that will not only showcase professional boxers but also our homegrown talents.”

“Our boxers have had limited opportunities to compete locally since the easing of Covid regulations,” he noted. “We are optimistic that this event will kick-start a series of competitions, providing our boxers with the platform they need to step back into the ring.”

“For the first time, we will also feature boxers from two local gyms, taking the initial steps towards achieving one of our development goals: the registration of local competing boxing clubs. The sport has suffered from a lack of competition, and under CIBA’s governance, we are confident that we can host boxing events that highlight local clubs.”

He concluded with anticipation, stating, “We eagerly look forward to witnessing our Caymanian boxers sharing the stage with riveting professional bouts, including title fights. This event promises to reignite the spotlight on boxing in the Cayman Islands.”

Tickets for this exciting event will soon be available for purchase at www.ticketsplus.ky. Stay tuned for further updates.