Nathan Dill, the Bermuda Amateur Boxing Association president, says his organisation is both thrilled and relieved to have acquired the services of Crandall University head boxing coach Jon Ohlhauser.

The Canadian has accepted the association’s invitation to serve as the head coach of the national team that will represent the island at the American Boxing Confederation Championships to be held in Guayaquil, Ecuador, from March 22 to April 2.

“Bermuda Boxing is greatly pleased with the partnership we have established with coach Ohlhauser and his team at Crandall University,” he said. “Our executive considered what was in the best interest of our athletes in making this decision.

“Jon has a wealth of knowledge and experience, we were relieved that he accepted our invitation. We felt that for our team to be effective, it would have to be led by the coach who has been working most closely with our national team athlete Adrian Roach.”

Ohlhauser is equally as thrilled to have been offered the opportunity and has high expectations for Crandall University student Roach.

“I am excited and honoured to be asked to travel with the Bermuda national team as they compete at this international tournament in March,” he said.

“I have been working with Adrian Roach, their number one amateur prospect, at Crandall University for the past year. He has a ton of talent and drive and should do very well at this tournament.”

Roach is also delighted to have his school coach in his corner in Ecuador.

“It was good news to hear that my coach (Ohlhauser) out here (Nova Scotia) is going to be going with me,” he said. “I’m comfortable with my coach here going with me.

“We have built a good relationship over the past few fights that we’ve had together. It’s good because I am going to be working with him in the training camp, and it’s important having your coach that you’ve been working with in the training camp to come with you at events such as this.”

Ohlhauser will also conduct a series of coaching and youth boxing clinics on island before Bermuda’s contingent departs for Ecuador.

Roach will be the island’s sole representative at the championships.

“We are only looking to send Adrian,” Dill said. “That was not the original plan, but he is essentially the only person that meets all of the requirements to go.”

The promising orthodox fighter will travel to Ecuador with momentum having secured an unanimous points decision against Canadian Jack Cabotaje, competing at the Epic Entertainment Fight Night Champion at The Shed, Dockyard, last month.

Roach dominated the three round amateur welterweight bout and showed his class in the ring with a technical and tactical masterpiece on the way to improving his amateur record to nine wins from 12 bouts.

Dill also has high expectations for the 19-year-old, who will be making his international debut competing for Bermuda at the upcoming American Boxing Confederation Championships.

“This will be Adrian's first time representing Bermuda in an international event but we are very confident of success,” he said. “He is a highly driven and an amazing athlete.

“We have seen his performances against tough opponents over the last year as a Charger's athlete, and this event is a fundamental next step towards the Olympic track he has chosen.”

As well as bragging rights, the medallists in each of the respective weight classes at the championships will earn prize money, with the winners to pocket $10,000, runners up $5,000 and third place finishers $2,500.