Professional boxer Shawn “Terry” Cox has delivered another knockout punch, this time to his former trainer and manager Sam Layne.
Two months after being defeated by a Russian, Denis Lebedev, for the WBA interim cruiserweight title, Cox has parted ways with Layne, his manager for the past four years.
But according to Layne, a well-known boxing promoter, news about the split was a surprise as he only learnt about it after watching the CBC evening news recently.
Speaking to MIDWEEK SPORT in a telephone interview yesterday, Cox, who is best known for his gold medal performance at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, explained that the break-up was not personal, but he thought it was the right time for a change.
Cox, whose professional record stands at 16-2, with 15 knockouts, said he still had a lot of respect for Layne, adding that no one could doubt his former manager’s ability to create world-class boxers.
“The break-up was nothing personal, nothing personal at all. It was strictly business,” he reiterated. “The time has just come for us to go our separate ways, and I wish him all the best.
“Sam has done a lot not only for my boxing career, but also for boxing in Barbados, and for that I am very grateful.
“With limited resources, he has done a tremendous job, and no one can say that he doesn’t have the necessary skills and tools to produce good boxers.”
Cox, who is also known as “The Sniper”, said he needed to sort out business outside the ring, before getting back inside.
He noted that so far, several trainers had expressed interest in taking up the vacant post and that he was looking at an August or July date for his next fight.
However, in a very brief interview, Layne insisted that his accomplishments spoke for themselves and he just preferred to “let things play out and let them be”.
“Everybody can see what I have done for Cox. When everybody said that he was too old, I took him and made him into a world champion.
“Boxing took him all over the world, to places such as Mexico, Italy and Russia and I took a lot of risks with him.
“Whatever he decides to do is his business,” Layne added.
