Belizean Pro Boxer Amir Rudon Adds TKO Win to Record  

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. We begin tonight’s coverage highlighting one of the nation’s most promising young boxers, Amir Rudon. He currently boasts a 7-0 pro run. He added the sixth win to his record on Saturday night against Mexican boxer, Ruben Reyes, by way of technical knockout. We heard from the young phenom today about his first stoppage in the first round.

 

Amir Rudon, Lightweight Pro Boxer

“It happened very fast I was not expecting it. But, while there in the first round, I realized that I hurt him with a left hook to the body and I capitalized on it by landing two or three more and then he went down after that.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How prepared are you for those types of moments?”

 

Amir Rudon

“Physically because of the training I have been doing, I am very prepared, so the fight was scheduled to go six rounds, so it was an early night for me, but I appreciate it nevertheless.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Now tell me what that felt like, there was an iconic picture being shared of you standing with your hand in the air and this guy seeking help in the background.”

 

Amir Rudon

“In the humblest way it feels good knowing your hard work is paying off and it means a lot to me and the team and my country.”

 

From boxing, we move into some basketball highlights. It was an electric weekend for basketball as the BEBL nears its 2024 playoffs. On Thursday night, the Benny’s Belize Hurricanes took on the Cayo Western Ballaz inside the Belize City Civic Center. The Hurricanes won that match, defeating Ballaz ninety to seventy-five points. JD Weatherspoon and Mark Gordon fought valiantly for the Ballaz. But in the end, they were no match for the muscles, height and versatility that the Hurricanes bring with guys like Sidibe Bourama, Glency Lopez, Jamell Harris and the rest of the team. Thursday night also saw the return of Kirk “Shabba” Smith Junior. We spoke with him after the game, as well as league MVP Victor Evans.

 

Kirk “Shabba” Smith Jr., Belize Hurricanes

“It feels good seeing friends and family, coaches, familiar faces, guys we battled with last, come back, defending champion, it feels good.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What do you feel you bring to this season?”

 

Kirk “Shabba” Smith Jr.

“Versatility. I can do a little bit of everything; you know these guys are already going. I just want to be able to add to contribute anyway I can.”

 

Victor “Vito” Evans, Belize Hurricanes

“We have had a lot of down time this year, a lot of games in between each other, we would have a game then three weeks off. We are really fresh so it feels like we have not really gotten into the season as yet. It is still like the beginning. So we are good to go, on and running right now. Regular season, we are not going to get to high right now. I feel like we are doing what we are suppose to just off of the talent. To be honest, playoffs is what we are looking forward to. The end goal is the championship, so nothing really excites us unless we hanging another banner.”

 

Let’s now move into some football action. The William Dawson Peace Cup hosted four playoff knockout games over the weekend at the MCC grounds.

The first match of the day was between Tutbay FC and West Lake. It was win or go home inside the MCC grounds. The starting whistle is blown, and the game is on. Thirty-two minutes in and this superb find by Steve Myles in front of the goal, off the corner kick, puts Tutbay FC on the scoreboard.  And only two minutes later, Tutbay FC’s Calvin Thompson sent the ball past the goalkeeper and into the net off a breakaway. The first half ended with two goals to nil. Midway into the second half, Westlake was awarded a penalty shot after this hard slide tackle inside the box. Ryan Sampson scored his team’s first goal.

A second penalty shot was awarded to West Lake eighty minutes into the game after another hard tackle inside the penalty box. Sampson again capitalized and tied the game. With only three-minutes left in regular time, the tables turned in favor of Tutbay FC, now on the receiving end of a penalty shot. It is a debatable call, but ultimately Devin Thurton sealed the deal for his team’s trip to the semi-finals. The second match of the day between Lake- I FC and Ceasar Ridge FC ended in a penalty shootout. Regular time ended in a tie, one goal to one. The match then went into twelve minutes of overtime which also ended with a tie, two goals to two. After fourteen penalty shots between the two teams, the game ended in favor of Ceaser Ridge FC.

 

Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday, Catch you on the next one.