Boxers from Controversy Gym will go in search of ring glory when they step between the ropes for Knockout Night at the Victualling Yard in Dockyard on Saturday.

Robert Somner, Naizari Roberts, Jared Jimenez and Raul Vlad will represent the Queen’s Club-based gym on the undercard of Nikki Bascome’s professional welterweight bout against debutant Claudele Duprier of the United States.

Leo Richardson, the head coach at Controversy, said he was confident that all of his boxers would give a good account of themselves against opponents from various boxing gyms on the Island.

“The guys are ready and they have been training pretty hard.” said Richardson, who will be doing some pad work with some of his younger boxers prior to the amateur contests.

“It’s all about trying to keep boxing alive on the Island and getting the youths involved, as well as giving the adults a chance to experience the ring.

“It should be a good night and I’m sure Nikki [Bascome] will put on a good show in the main event.”

Robert Somner will look to add to his amateur debut win in Fight Night XVII “Invincible” at Berkeley Institute in April. The 33-year-old is set to face Kah Simmons from Rego’s Boxing Gym.

“I want to remain undefeated and I’m feeling confident in my training,” said Somner, who works as a personal trainer with Fit 4 Royalty.

“I used to do taekwondo, which was all feet, whereas as now I’m using my hands and having to work on my head movement.”

Jimenez, 38, will return to the ring after a break of almost three years and insists he still has plenty to offer.

“I’ve been wanting to do this again for a while,” he said. “I’m not sure who I’m fighting but at this stage it doesn’t really matter. It’s about putting the fundamentals to good use.

“My endurance is getting better and it’s all coming together nicely. Dockyard is nice venue and it’s going to be fun fighting underneath the stars.”

Vlad, 37, said he was determined to win his debut bout, but admitted it had been difficult juggling training with his work commitments at Mickey’s Beach Bistro.

“I boxed for six months in Romania and then I came to Bermuda for work,” said Vlad, who will be up against Anthony Stoneham.

“I have to be confident and I don’t want to lose, no way. I don’t know much about my opponent other than he is 19 — a lot younger than me.

“People seem to be giving me less chance because of the age gap, but I want to win my first fight. I believe in me.”

Roberts will be the youngest boxer on show from Controversy and said he was hungry for action after winning his first two bouts.

The 15-year-old, who will take on Le Jai Tucker, said: “I’m ready and I’ve been training hard. Even when I don’t feel like training I say to myself, ‘I want to win this fight’.

“I never get into the ring cocky, but I always feel confident.”

The Knockout Night will also feature a women’s professional bout between Lena Scott-Taylor and Kirunis Dulei. Both boxers are from the US.

In the other amateur bouts, Andre Lambe, of Rego’s, will face Mike Smith, while Matthew Tannock, also of Rego’s, meets Troy Wilson.

n Tickets can be purchased at Sports Source, Sports R’ Us, Audio Visual and online at BDATIX.BM.