Dear Sir,

Bermuda, Nikki Bascome is still our champion.

Muhammad Ali had five losses, Mike Tyson had six and, before turning pro, Floyd Mayweather Jr lost eight times.

Champions celebrate adversity because it makes them grow. A loss is the stepping stone to success; it makes you a stronger version of yourself. Your adversity is your advantage.

You’re now that much stronger, that much smarter and that much more experienced for the next time around.

Many run from adversity but champions run to it because we learn more from our losses than we do from our wins. Nikki, take this time to recover, rest up and then it’s back to the grind.

Let this motivate you. Let it be that chip on your shoulder that will push you to go harder.

Nikki, when you watch the video, when you think of those who wanted you to fail, when you see that “1” on the right side of your record, let it push you to go harder.

Winners are not those who never lose; they are those who never give up.

Thank you for being a role model and beacon of hope for so many of our young people. We are eternally grateful. You are a man of the people, Not above, but equal.

Remember that Bermuda is proud of you. We appreciate you, we value you and you will always be our champion.

ERON HILL, Generation Next