Sam ready for new bout

Sam “The Man” Layne has made it to the big times again.
Barbados’ most prominent trainer, manager and promoter has added another title to his long list of accolades after recently being appointed to serve as a director on the World Boxing Federation (WBF) for the Caribbean region.
Layne confirmed the appointment in an interview with SATURDAY?SPORT just days after the WBF approved his selection to the regional post.
“Boxing has always been my passion and now it will be my full-time job as I plan to give up all my other endeavours to focus on this role,” said Layne.
“I’ve already written the boxing board of control here to inform them of my new position and to express my willingness to meet with them to implement developmental programmes going forward, because that is my new focus.
“I mean I have the ability now to supervise any championship fight in the world but my main aim will be to identify world-class boxers in the Caribbean that we can develop to go on to routinely fight for world titles,” he added.
The elevation comes as no surprise as the WBF recognized Layne’s decades worth of hard work in three different roles in boxing.
But Layne’s best work has probably come in the positions of trainer and manager, having developed the likes of Miguel “Hands of Stone” Antoine and Christopher “Shaka” Henry to the status of world-rated fighters.
Even Shawn “The Sniper” Cox has already contested two world championships under Layne’s tutelage and he is preparing to fight for another in a month’s time.
“These are people at the WBF who I’ve had a great working relationship with and know what I have to offer the game,” said Layne of the WBF’s reasoning behind his appointment.
“But this won’t take away from what has made me who I am in boxing as I can still serve as a manager and trainer once it is not in a WBF fight.”
And Layne hasn’t wasted anytime in his new position after already opening negotiations with regional media house Caribbean Media Corporation to televise a prospective professional boxing tournament that will serve to identify world class talent.
“Eventually I hope to also see world title fights here in Barbados that are televised across the world to give this region even more exposure to the boxing world,” he said.