The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN an attempt to bolster his young professional boxing career, Ryan “Big Youth” McKenzie felt the best thing for him to do was to relocate to the United States.

He was able to secure a deal in New York where he has reeled off victories in his last two fights and is now preparing for his third bout against Eric Watkins at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York, on Saturday night.

“Things have been going really well. No complaints here,” said McKenzie of his new environment. “My manager and handlers are taking good care of me, so there’s no complaints on this side. Plus I’m getting the fights right now, so everything has been good so far.”

Having won his last eight fights - all via knockouts - here at home since turning pro in 2006, McKenzie said he was confident that he would be able to continue his success because of his “dedication and commitment” in the ring.

“I didn’t know the people who are handling me are so connected in the boxing world,” McKenzie said. “I didn’t know the extent of that, but I know the type of fighter that I am, so I was pretty confident about being out here and getting the people behind me because of my fighting style. I know eventually the success will come.”

McKenzie, standing at 6-feet with a perfect 10-0 win-loss record, said he has been running extremely hard and working out diligently in the ring, so he’s looking forward to his next appearance in the ring.

“The last fight, I was moving back and I got caught and I decided to go after him and I knocked him out in the sixth round,” said McKenzie of his victory over Borngod Washington on September 1 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino. “During that fight, the last punch I caught him with was a right hand and I hurt my knuckle on it.

“My main concern going into this fight is my knuckle. But I know that what I won’t be able to do with my right, I will be able to achieve with my left.”

McKenzie, who took a leave of absence from his job at the Riu Hotel on Paradise Island, said he has been pleased with his decision to relocate to the US.

He said he’s even more delighted to be in New York where he resides not too far from the home of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota.

“I got to see a lot of the old boxers like Michael Moore, Aaron Pryor, Terry Norris, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and Michael Buffer.

“This is the spot to be. You can’t get any better than this. Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns were among my top five boxers of all time. Those guys I look up to, so I was very pleased when I got to hook up with them.

“We also did a sparring session at the International Hall of Fame, so just being in that environment coming from Nassau was totally different. It was something that I will get to cherish for a very long time.”

While in New York, McKenzie said he got to attend the 23rd annual Hall of Fame Induction celebration in June for the class of 2012 that included Hearns, the multi-divisional champion, two-time world champion Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson and “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” ring announcer Michael Buffer.

McKenzie also took a number of photographs with the legends and he’s hoping that one day he can be looked at in the same light when he would have left his footprints on the sand of time.

In the meantime, he said he’s eager to continue to showcase his skills. And although none of his famiy has been able to watch him live in action in New York, they have been following him on line and congratulating him as soon as he’s finished competing in each match.

“I’m just here to make everyone in the Bahamas very proud,” McKenzie said. “I came here with the purpose of fulfilling my dream of being a world boxing champion and so far my career has gotten off to a fantastic start. I just hope that it will continue to be a success.”

Sometime next year, McKenzie said he would like to be able to come back home and display his skills once again in front of the Bahamian crowd.