MOMENT TO CHERISH: Miguel Antoine receiving a cheque from Carolyn Maughn, accounts clerk of Cherish Cosmetique. At right is Antoine's boxing manager, Sam Layne. (Picture by Antonio Miller.)

MIGUEL "Hands of Stone" Antoine, the most exciting young professional boxer in the country, says he will always cherish the first donation he has collected from the business commmunity.

On Tuesday, Antoine, the muscular 18-year-old who has come to the fore over the past year with his lightning hand speed and punishing power, received a cheque from his employers, Cherish Cosmetique, the popular Bridgetown variety store.

"I am delighted that Cherish is backing me. It is the first sponsorship I have received. This will encourage me a lot. I am really thankful for the donation," he said.

The cheque is for Antoine's involvement in a run-a-thon slated for Sunday morning that is expected to feature more than 30 runners, split into stages through the island's 11 parishes.

The run-a-thon is scheduled to start at 4:30 a.m. outside Cherish Cosmetique,
with Antoine running the first leg.

Boxing promoter Sam Layne, who conceived the idea, is urging the business community to sponsor each parish runner.

"It is only $2 000 per parish and if we can get businesses contributing, I think we can bring off any international fight in Barbados. It is still very open for businesses to come forward and assist and follow the lead set by Cherish," Layne said.

Antoine, who hails from Wavell Avenue, Black Rock, St Michael, is a product of St Lucy Secondary School. He burst into the pro ranks in January of 2005 with a first-round demolition of Malcolm "Smoking Joe" Smith after just two minutes, 15 seconds. He now has a 3-0 record and according to Layne is a very bright prospect.

"Antoine is a diamond as far as junior boxing is concerned here and in the Caribbean. The World Boxing Council (WBC) saw his debut fight and were impressed. They have told me to keep my eye on him and I have been, so he has been labelled as one for the future.

"He could fight for a world junior title next year but we have got to build up his record. If he continues to do well, he could be fighting for a world junior welterweight title in Las Vegas on the HBO network," Layne said.