Today when we visited the Biltmore Hotel it looked like a poorman's version of the MGM Grand in Vegas, not as big and flashy, but the huge ring that was laid out in the conference hall certainly gave it that prize-fighting feel.
Tomorrow night it will come alive as 7 Belizeans - 6 males and 1 female take on a Mexicans delegation well schooled and seasoned in what they might call la ciencia dulce.
Anthony Michael, Director of The National Sports Council told us more:
Anthony Michael, Director of The National Sports Council
"Boxing has been dormant in Belize for many years. I was approach by Mr. Smart and he ask, Mr. Michael I have a gym, I have some guys training there, they are becoming frustrated and I said let's have a boxing match and he said what would be nice if they had done it before with the Mexican. I went over there and met the director of sports in Chetumal and I must say they welcome us openly. Ms. Ester Montario from the Embassy of Mexico has been extremely helpful. I must thank her from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the people of Belize. She had made the contact for us, she had assisted us, she is
still assisting us and so forth and the Mexicans are coming in tomorrow, they will be arriving at the Biltmore at 11:00 am where we will have the official weighing and I encourage all the Belizean people; we have limited seating capacity but I think a lot of people have stop by and think tickets are being sold already here. They are being sold at the national sports council until mid-day tomorrow and after that it will be sold at the Biltmore hotel. But I think when people came in and saw what we have done and the level that we have raise it, people said they feel like they are at Las Vegas so it will be a wonderful event we have seating capacity for about 380 people. The first 380 people that come will enter, we don't want to turn away anybody, but if we have to that would be a good thing because it shows that Belizeans are committed to sports and especially to the sport of boxing. Having these fighters being in practice for the last 3 - 4 years without any major fight and still training it shows they are discipline and it shows their character and tomorrow they will make Belize proud."
Andrea Polanco
"So what's next for boxing in Belize after this match?"
Anthony Michael, Director of The National Sports Council
"We plan to have an event like this every 3 months. If it is not with Mexico or other neighboring countries, we want to encourage the other trainers like Mr. Dakers and other people to start opening back their gym and we might have friendly match between gym to gym and so forth we start selecting national team where can compete against other countries."
The bouts start at 6 p.m. Reserve tickets cost fifteen dollars, five dollars for general and children under 12 enter free.
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