The Tribune

BAHAMIAN pro boxer Amron Sands had the opportunity of a lifetime - to work closely and learn from the most dominant heavyweight in boxing today.

Sands participated in training camp alongside WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder as the latter prepares for his upcoming title defense next month against Tyson Fury.

Sands, the youngest and least experienced fighter in the group, was nicknamed “Young Lion” by Wilder and his team of trainers and staff.

“It was a very good learning experience to be in such a huge camp so early in my career. It speaks volumes of the road I’m headed on. It was a really good camp, a lot of work, great sparring, got to spar with the heavyweight champion of the world so it’s a major step forward,” he said.

“I learned alot from it fighting wise, even out of the ring, he mentored me, gave me a little info on what to look forward to - in this game you have to always be 100 per cent ready. His trainers showed me different moves in the ring, being the bigger man in the ring and what they expect from you, things like that.”

Wilder is currently 42-0-1 with 41 KOs, the highest knockout rate in the sport.

“I really became a Wilder fan until I met him...very humble dude. For a dude who makes what he makes and who he is, he’s a very humble dude and down to earth. It was great hospitality the whole time. You might expect a different attitude from somebody of that magnitude,” Sands said.

“He was very open and showed me a lot of great stuff in the ring and that’s something I can carry with me the rest of my career.”

In his last ring appearance, Sands defeated Daniel Najera of Mexico via first-round stoppage on the undercard of “Rumble In The Bay” at the JCC Center in Tampa, Florida.

Sands remained undefeated after a pair of knockdowns brought an abrupt ending to the fight as he improved to 10-0.

Under Kevin Dever Sports Management, Sands joined DiBella Entertainment and finished off 2019 with three fights in a four-month span.

“I signed with DiBella Entertainment because Lou is one of the most trustworthy promoters in boxing and he has great relationships in the business to get my name out there. I know that, with his guidance, I can become the heavyweight champion of the world.

“I can box and I can bang and I’m what the heavyweight division needs. I’m very excited about my future and am ready to put in the work,” Sands said.

“He told me I was the biggest prospect he signed last year. If they keep up their work with the pace we are on I should be the first major title holder for a Bahamian heavyweight.”

Looking ahead to the promise of future prospects, Sands said his team plans to seek more opportunities and his next fight is scheduled to be in New York in February.

He fought the first two years of his pro career throughout Florida.

The 25-year-old Sands has scored early knockouts against Hector Hodge in the opening frame and, most recently, a second-round stoppage of Thomas Hawkins on August 23.

Prior to his last win, Sands defeated Thomas Hawkins via knockout one minute and nine seconds into round two, also at the Bryan Glazer JCC Auditorium.

He made his heavyweight debut with a TKO win over Julio Mendoza at the Lakeland Events Center in Lakeland, Florida, on August 5 2017.

He followed with consecutive knockout wins over Eric Evans (November 18 at the Crossroads Arena in Corinth) and Kendrick Houston (February 17 2018 at the Orlando Live Event Center).

He spoiled the debut for Darrell Parker with a TKO at the Florida State Fairgrounds Hall in Tampa on May 18.

Sands made his pro debut at home on the undercard of “The Backyard Rumble” with a unanimous decision over Jerry Butler on May 26. He returned to the US and scored a knockout win over Cade Rodriguez on July 21. He then defeated American journeyman Francois Russell via 2nd-round TKO on the undercard of Friday Night Brawl, hosted at the JCC Auditorium.