Bermuda boxing is being held back by the selfish agendas of those who have prospered from the sport but have not given anything back.

Nikki Bascome, the Island’s top boxer, believes far too much talent is being squandered because it is not being nurtured by those unwilling to share their knowledge.

“In Bermuda, people seem to get to a certain level and then don’t want to help anybody to get past the level they reached,” he said.

“They don’t want to share their knowledge, and that’s why a lot of our talent doesn’t go anywhere. It’s an animosity thing.

“We have to pass on that knowledge to keep it going because that’s just how life works.”

Bascome already has plans to give back to the sport once his career is over.

“Boxing is my passion, I watch it all the time, I train all the time and I’m always eager to learn,” Bascome said.

“Once my boxing career is over I will pass on that knowledge because that’s how it’s supposed to go.

“The same way how Mr Rego [trainer Allen “Forty” Rego] has dedicated his time to me each and every day, and the same way people have supported me, it’s only right that I give back. That’s just my calling.

“When I finish my career I want to take somebody to the Olympics.”

For the time being, though, Bascome is preparing for his upcoming welterweight bout with Mexican Pilo Reyes at The Fairmont Southampton on November 7.

The bout promises to be an exciting one with both fighters having yet to be beaten since turning professional.

Bascome has travelled to Orlando, Florida, where he is sharpening his ring craft and sparring with resident boxers at Pichi’s Boxing Pit.

It is a pre-fight ritual that he has adopted for all of his professional bouts, as it allows him to fully focus on the task ahead without any on-Island distractions.

“I’m in good shape and I just need to go away and put in the sparring and tune-up,” Bascome said. “That’s really important for me as it helps me focus on my craft.”

He defeated Claudele Duprier, of the United States, via a third-round knockout in his previous bout at Bermuda College in July.

That bout, however, was not sanctioned by Oscar Lightbourne, Bermuda’s acting boxing commissioner, because Duprier did not make the required weight.