The Bermuda Boxing Commission has taken a significant step toward elevating the island's combat sports infrastructure following a high-level visit from one of the sport's most respected international figures. Bryan Miner, a renowned instructor and official with the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), recently utilized a vacation to the island to conduct rigorous testing and certification for local officials in the disciplines of Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts.
According to the President of the Bermuda Boxing Commission, Oscar Lightbourne, the visit is a direct result of Bermuda’s consistent presence at international ABC conferences. Lightbourne noted that the island is increasingly being recognized by global governing bodies, placing Bermuda firmly on the travel itinerary for international officials seeking to develop the sport. The initiative provided local referees and judges with the opportunity to gain globally recognized credentials without leaving home soil.
The results of the testing period have seen a wide cross-section of the local commission successfully navigate the ABC’s demanding standards. In the Muay Thai discipline, several officials achieved dual certification. Oscar Lightbourne, Dirk Evelyn, Tristan Robinson, Chuck Morgan, and Na’twan Fisher all successfully passed both the Referee and Judging courses, joined by Gladwin Phillips in the judging ranks and Dwayne Cox in the officiating circle.
The surge in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) certification was even more pronounced, reflecting the growing footprint of the sport within the Atlantic region. A total of eleven officials passed the ABC MMA Judges Course, including Nolette Webb, Zenji Ingham, Phillip Maybury, Talia Fox, Tony Mouchette, Monique Heyliger, and Nathan Lawrance.
The technical demands of the MMA Referee Course saw five officials secure their badges, with Shaun Richards joining the experienced core of Lightbourne, Maybury, Evelyn, and Fisher. This wave of new certifications ensures that Bermuda is now equipped with a robust, internationally qualified pool of officials, capable of overseeing high-level Muay Thai and MMA events to the highest global standards.
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