Kingston’s Hylton set for pro debut - Jamaica’s rising star ready for December 13 bout at Wray and Nephew Fight Night

KINGSTON:

Promising local Daniel Hylton will make his first appearance in the professional ranks against Damar 'Force' Haslam (0-0) on December 13 at Constant Spring Football Field, as part of the very popular and highly anticipated Wray and Nephew Fight Night.

Hylton, who admitted becoming interested in the sport from before he became a teenager and now fights in the lightweight division, has big ambitions.

"I've put in the work, I knew what I wanted to do ever since I was 10," he said. "I'm the future lightweight champion of the world."

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

A product of Kingston's famed Stanley Couch Boxing Gym on Victoria Avenue (run-on into East Queen Street), Hylton's story is one of resilience and ambition. Transitioning from humble beginnings to competing on the international stage, Hylton represented Jamaica at the International Boxing Association men's World Championship in Uzbekistan, Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, and the Commonwealth Games in the United Kingdom.

His impressive amateur tenure includes 29 bouts and five silver medals at Caribbean regional championships.

Coached by Sakima Mullings, who operates The Boxing Connection, Hylton says he is inspired by his young daughter, five-year-old Daneelia.

BETTER LIFE

Daniel's mission is to build a better life for his family, win a world title, and uplift his community.

"Turning professional is about creating a future for my daughter and inspiring Jamaica's youth," said Hylton.

Mullings, the former Caribbean Boxing Federation welterweight champion, said he has known Hylton for many years, since the young boxer was around eight to nine years old.

"At that time, he used to come to the Stanley Couch Gym, as he grew up across the street from the gym; he's one of the neighbourhood kids," said Mullings.

Now 25, the very experienced Mullings says his charge is "one of the promising Jamaican boxers" from the last Olympic cycle who has the requisite skills to be successful in the fight game.

"He has put in the requisite work, he has done everything he's supposed to do as an amateur," he noted, pointing to Hylton's advances on the international stage.

"He has high-level skills, good speed, and world-class experience competing against some of the best boxers in the world.

"He has good combination and physically, he has the attributes of a prototypical boxer - good height, good reach for the weight class that he competes in," Mullings informed. "Those are the attributes that we're very high on, and given the opportunity, we're convinced that we're developing a future lightweight champion of the world."