Caymanian heavyweight boxer Christopher Hurlston, 24, will officially move his base of operations back to local soil in the coming weeks.
After a dominant three-year run in Europe that saw him transition from an amateur to a rising professional force with a perfect 4-0 record including three knockouts, the move is more than just a change of scenery.
“I chose to begin my amateur boxing career in England because there was limited competition and activity in Cayman at the time. Turning professional overseas allowed me to gain valuable experience, stay active and test myself against strong opposition,” he said.
The 6-foot-7-inch-tall ‘345 Viking’ said, after spending the past three years building his career in Europe and remaining undefeated as a professional, he feels that “now is the right time to bring my base back home”.
“There’s no uncertainty about this move – it feels absolutely right,” he said. “My time in York, England, was incredible. I had access to world-class training, gained invaluable experience, boxed around Europe and England and built a strong amateur career that would have been difficult to achieve back home, including competing 14 times in just over a year.”
He added, “I’m extremely grateful for everything I learned and the people who helped shape me during that period. Now, I feel confident and ready to take the next step by bringing that experience back to Cayman and continuing my professional journey from home.”
Logistic hurdles resolved
Hurlston, who made his professional debut on 15 March last year, addressed the logistical hurdles of being a professional heavyweight on a small island with confidence.
“Cayman now has an outstanding boxing facility, owned and ran by former amateur and professional champion from England, Ryan Barrett. I’ll be training out of South Paw Boxing Gym as I enter the next phase of my career, with Ryan taking on the role of both head coach and manager. Returning home allows me to continue developing at a high level, while proudly representing Cayman on the professional stage.”
Although Grand Cayman will be his primary “home base”, he plans to split his time between home soil and training camps abroad.
“This approach allows me to benefit from the structure and support of my home base while still testing myself against world-class opposition and ensuring I’m fully prepared at the highest level,” he said.
Hurlston dismissed concerns regarding the availability of opponents in the region, noting that the Caribbean and surrounding territories offer a wealth of quality heavyweight talent.
“By working closely with my management team and remaining open to travelling when needed, we’ll ensure I stay active and continue facing the right level of competition as my career progresses,” he said.
Global ambition
Despite his local base, Hurlston remains clear that his ambitions are global, saying, “In boxing, especially in the heavyweight division, a major opportunity is just one phone call away. Major promoters host events across the UK, Europe, North America and beyond, so the market is truly global. My focus is on staying ready and active, wherever the right fights and opportunities present themselves.”
As for his plans to contribute to the local community when he returns, Hurlston said, “At this stage, my focus will be on collaborating with South Paw Boxing Gym and Ryan Barrett … as well as working alongside Elite Marble & Granite. Together, we’ll be concentrating on building high-quality events, training camps and opportunities that align with the direction of my professional career.”
A specific date for his first professional bout on Cayman soil has yet to be finalised, with Hurlston stating, “Once a date is finalised with my manager, we’ll be in a position to make a full announcement.”
Hurlston said that his time abroad taught him that there are no shortcuts – that boxing is a game of repetition, discipline, consistency and surrounding oneself with people who have “genuine boxing knowledge”.
“The right environment and guidance are crucial for development, and these are lessons I hope to pass on to aspiring boxers in Cayman as they come through the sport,” he said.
