The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH their future as competitors in limbo, Valentino Knowles and Lavar Stuart are joining Kayla Johnson in forming a vibrant coaching programme that will be implemented by the Amateur Boxing Federation of the Bahamas at the newly renovated National Boxing Gymnasium at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Association president Wellington Miller made the announcement Monday at the gym as a new corp of amateur boxers were named to the eight-member team that will represent the Bahamas at the Independence Cup, scheduled for February 18-25 in the Dominican Republic.

Knowles, a former elite amateur who turned pro but suffered a near fatel shooting incident that sidelined him last year, will be heading the training segment along with Johnson, the first female boxer turned boxing coach, while Stuart, back home after earning his bachelor’s degree in sports science, will head the technical aspect.

“With all of these new ideas and enthusiasm and new direction, I can see boxing once again climbing back to the top,” Miller said.

Knowles, claiming that he’s a living testimony of God’s goodness after he survived a shooting injury last year, said that he’s now going through a new door in his life.

“I want to thank the National Sporting Authority for this fine establishment and made available for us to use,” Knowles said. “I think the team of coaches that have been put together will take us very far and I see a lot of success coming out of it. Me, being one of the top amateur boxers who represented the country, along with Lavar, who went to Cuba and earned his bachelor’s degree and Kayla Johnson, we should see some success from both the male and female boxers.”

Stuart, who switched his attention to his studies while he was in Cuba training, said they are occupying a venue that has a rich history in boxing.

“I think every boxer (going on the national team) started their career here, including Reno Johnson,” Stuart said. “They come to this gym and they became champions in their own respects. We have been challenged by the Bahamian public to show results of what we can do and we have accepted the challenge.

“Anybody who has been here in the last couple of days or weeks, has seen the new regime that we have put forth and can see that we can guarantee success. Valentino Knowles brings that athletic experience, Kayla Johnson brings the intensity and I bring the scientific aspect, so we form a great team to lead our future Bahamas towards victory.”

In a sport that has not yet fully embraced women, Johnson said she hopes to change that mentality as she and Knowles and Stuart bring a new dimension, order and class.

“We are empowering youths to be different, mentally, physically and spiritually and we are not just producing ambassadors for the Bahamas, but we are producing world-class athletes,” she said. “With the team of coaches that we have on board today, I look at us as the dynamic trio.

“We all have something in common: passion, youth and experience, which I think is something that we need in this sport today. It’s going to be a good season.”

The trio were endorsed by Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson, who is still celebrating his double triumph as the new WBA International and WBC Silver middleweight champion.

“Kayla Johnson, Lavar Stuart and Valentino Knowles, I find them to be a very strong team,” he said. “In fact, in my professional career, I wish I could have them along with my team.”

Johnson, now based in the United States, said it’s also good to see the facility is being used to the best of its ability under the guidance of Miller and the coaching staff.

“I was able to train with this team and I must tell you, this is a very vibrant and a strong team, a team of potential and I hope that the public at large will support these young men and women on their endeavour to do,” Johnson said. “I believe boxing is the cure to all of the crime and civil ills that is going on in this country. Let’s support this team.”

International certified judge and referee Alvin Sargent also endorsed the three new coaches.

“We are just grateful for this group and I’m sure that it’s a clear indication of a new path to a new future with these youthful coaches,” Sargent said. “I foresee that the future production of boxing in this country is on good footing and I wish to congratulate them all.”

While they both venture into coaching, neither Knowles or Stuart have completely closed the door on coming back to compete, if the opportunity presents itself. With Johnson on the sidelines, they shouldn’t have far to go for a coach to help to prepare them in the future.