Don't call it a comeback just yet - but the Belize Boxing Association is quietly grooming a public resurgence of the sweet science.
On Sunday the association hosted an international fight card of 15 bouts ranging in classes from peewee flyweight to middleweights and spanning ages form 13 years old to 29 years old. The visitors were a group of well-trained boxers form Peten, Guatemala including two teenaged girls who pulled no punches on each other.
Here are highlights of some of the other bouts.
[Shots of Bouts Played To LL Cool J's Mama Said Knock You Out]
Horace Cadle, Boxer
"I just thought I needed to win this one and thing so I came out here and gave it my best."
Jules Vasquez,
"Do you think you intimidated him?"
Horace Cadle,
"Most naturally because that little boy who they brought was nothing. I wish they would bring somebody bigger and better so I would have so real competition and I can improve myself."
Jules Vasquez,
"Is that a problem you have, finding people who compete at your level?"
Horace Cadle,
"Sure man, sure its difficult because sometimes for 6 or 7 months I don't compete and it set me back and I have to start all over again."
Leopold Smart, Boxing Trainer
"The way things are going we should definitely have championships fighters in the next two or 3 years because we will get down and work hard. The interest wasn't there because of the association but now we have a good association so this right will mek everybody step up. We have a 15-year-old fighter from ACC so next two years or so look out."
29-year-old Horace Cadle, one of Belize's top talents won the Gustavo Marin trophy after 27 year old Victoriano Lemus from Peten threw in the towel - we gather - out of sheer terror and the fact that he was facing a far superior opponent.