Bert Wells

Ryan Perez

Mike Garza

Jill Diamond

Victor Silva

Amateur Boxing is the very foundation of the sport, creating and establishing the success plus self belief which not only forms champions of the ring, but also champions of life, so examining how its coaches and organizers are coping with and deflecting the corrosive effects of the Pandemic, is an essential task as well as revelation.

The Sugar Bert non profit organization has more than nine hundred young amateur boxers representing the foundation and very future of the Sport.  Bert explains: “Everything is changing daily and hourly.  Boxing and life has changed as we know it, so we must make a lot of adjustments and we have to learn.  Fighters are one big family and we have to become more personal.  We don`t want large crowds and gatherings. So everything now is scheduling.”

Ryan says his core group was ten, but now it`s three, who are on the cusp of going pro.  This is done in a daily rotation. As the others have more years ahead of them. The prevailing current reality is creating a bubble.  Mike who came to the meeting in a mask, and was jokingly asked if he`s in a witness protection program, before removing it,  said his gym used to have 158 participants, but that`s now down to about sixty.  There`s ample room, so it`s possible to separate.  The protocol involves training masked for forty five minutes, but even before entering the gym there must be a sanitary process and a temperature check, which is being done by his Daughter. The plan involves one way in and one way out concerning the training area.

Bert says: “I hear from so many kids who are asking when can we compete again, getting back into the ring. There is so much more planning with every possible step to walk through. There is a lot of preparation. The first priority is keeping everyone safe. We are taking notes from Top Rank.”  It`s a time of practicality and sharing. As Mike explains that in going to the Sugar Bert Tournament, which is August 28-30th, he`ll share a room with his boxers, for whom he always manages to raise funds, through raffles, chicken plates, donations from cold water drinks. The key is to keep the kids busy and also ranked. Bert agrees: “We have great team, which goes out to sponsors.  Boxing has produced some great people and we are working together.

“Companies are onboard. It`s relationship.  It has taken me fifteen years to get where I am in promotion. It`s now starting to open a bit, getting young minds in this. We now have social networks and kids are posting. Social media has helped us tremendously, with kids putting up their resumes.  A new area of boxing is coming through.”

Through life experience, Ryan describes the life changing capabilities that boxing can provide.  He himself was introduced to boxing as an eighth grader by a teacher.  He was involved right through high school. He said: “It had such an impact on my life.  Now as a coach, I don`t ask for fees. I give back into the program.  Mike agrees stressing: “You have to be humble to be a coach and a champion. To do boxing you have to be disciplined. We teach kids a strong foundation for the rest of their lives.” There are inspiring examples of success stories. One kid who came into the gym simply didn`t talk. But now he`s friends with everyone: “We taught him to deal with desperation.”

For the Sugar Bert Tournament masks will be worn, up to the point of competition and temperatures will be taken.  The plan is for 454 seats to accommodate fans. Young boxers are being ranked on the website based on competition. It must also be appreciated that competitors comes from various States, but also different countries. And it`s possible for fans to be able to view this Tournament on I pads and laptops. The previous tournament involved ten thousand people from twenty one countries!

Bert said: “What I love about the WBC is that you believe in amateur boxing and these kids.  And great fighters aspire to win the Green and Gold Belts. Victor commented: “Boxing will make you a better person.  You are going to be the best person you can be in Boxing.” Jill said: “It about world champion characters. When I go to tournaments, I notice people who are telling the young boxers…you can do it!   It gives them respect.”

To learn more about how amateur boxing is weathering the pandemic and marching forward, please go the to link, viewing it, with a young and fresh mind.  For when you`re young…anything and everything is possible!