From Barbados Advocate

Well-known boxing promoter Sam Layne has been appointed to the World Boxing Federation as one of the Directors over the Caribbean.

This is the first time ever that a Barbadian has held any post in the WBF.

“This came about because of relationships that I have fostered over a long time. They were very impressed with my knowledge of the sport. I didn’t accept it before because the workload would have been too much for me, but since I am no longer working, I accepted the position,” said Layne.

Layne started as an amateur boxer and is a former administrator with the Amateur Boxing Association of Barbados where he served as the public relations officer, secretary and assistant secretary.

He soon made the move to professional boxing where he managed and trained a number of local boxers, the most successful of which so far is Christopher ‘Shaka’ Henry. Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox is also in Layne’s camp and he has been in two title fights so far while Miguel ‘Hands of Stone’ Antoine is another of Layne’s boxers.

Layne has been a boxing promoter since 2000 and he was awarded as the promoter of the year in 2003 by the World Boxing Council. He also represented the island at the WBC Medical Conference in 2000, the same year the Barbados became affiliated with them.

Layne also noted that he has been in discussion with the Caribbean Media Corporation about having them provide coverage of any of the World Boxing Federation championship fights.

“We are in the process of planning some tournaments ourselves to have the boxers in the Caribbean challenge for the WBF International and Intercontinental titles. Once they have a good record, they could be recommended to challenge for the world title,” said Layne.

Layne’s appointment as Director means that he could supervise any WBF fight in the world, but he plans to stay in the Caribbean to work towards the further development of boxing within the region. (PG)

For more on this story go to:

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=sports&NewsID=32991