Atlanta fighters to take on Bermuda

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17: There are going to be a lot of powerful shots on display at the Tennis Stadium, but it will be boxers taking the centre court in front of packed house.

Rumble on the Rock 2 will pit the best of Bermuda’s boxers and kick boxers against the best up and coming fighters and kick boxers from Atlanta.

Donald Smith, Investment Bermuda, said his organization is helping promote the event along with the Bermuda Invitational Boxing Council and Investment Atlanta-Youth.

Smith said: “These kickboxers coming out of the United States, are very well fit and they know what they’re doing.

“Bermuda is going to have to bring their A game.

“I know everyone is training hard and looking forward to this.

“This is going to be full contact. This isn’t going to be I tap you, then you tap me. This is going to be all out kickboxing.”

Smith said he’s helping promote the night as a way to reach out to Bermuda’s youth.

*“Our theme for the night is Glovers Over Guns.

“We want to show the youth of Bermuda there are various disciplines like boxing, kickboxing and martial arts where they can express themselves rather than be frustrated and do the things that they have been doing.

“They all aren’t doing bad, but we don’t even want one to slip by. We have to grab their attention.

Smith said some of the young fighters from Atlanta are turning their sights on a positive life rather than what society may label them.

“These kids are fighting their way out of situations where they may have been in prison or their mom is on drugs.

“But these kids are focused. If Bermuda could do the same thing, our society would be better.

Garon Wilkinson, president of the Bermuda Sanshou Association — which is helping promote the event — said kick boxer Sentwali Woolridge will be in the night’s headline fight.

“His 6-7 record is deceptive because he’s had a lot of fights at the World Championships.

 “He only has one defeat on local soil. All of his victories on island have been by KO.”

He said there will be a lot of interest in Talia Iris, Bermuda’s top female fighter. She fought Ashley Nichols for the World Muay Thai Federation Continental Belt at Fight Night XIII.

Wilkinson said: “She is much stronger and fitter this time around. She is part of the national team competing at World Wushu Championships.”

Wilkinson is excited about the potential of young Samir Furqan. The 17-year-old defeated Shane Dejarden from Canada in Fight Night XIII.

*He said Shannon Ford’s last match was against Bermuda Karate Institute’s (BKI) Deondre Morris at Fight Night XIII — a bout Morris won.

Morris is now undefeated with a 2-0 record.

Reyel Bowen defeated Mohammed Dao in boxing at Fight Night XII and is looking to pick up a san shou win.

Jeron Gunness, another kick boxer from BKI, is also undefeated.

There are also two boxing matches. With Jashun Thomas taking on an opponent who has 12 fights under his belt. The other boxer is Chris Wilson who has a 2-0 record.

Entertainment that night will be performed by Rejon ‘Blac’ Tucker, Twin Starr, The Bermuda Gombeys and a youth demonstration by Al Wharton’s Bermuda Arts and Fitness Academy.
 
*Edited in the correct theme and to correct that Morris won the fight against Ford.