Whenever Troy Darrell steps into the makeshift training facilities at Warwick Community Centre and in the garage of local trainer Forty Rego?s residence, the former professional middleweight is reminded of his own humble beginnings at Pembroke Youth Centre (PYC).

After all, the facilities at PYC back then were anything but suitable for a youngster with his heart set on the glamorous yet uncertain world of professional boxing.

Darrell, however, would prove that even with limited resources dreams can still come true.

The PYC legend went on to complete an impressive pro record of 25 wins and three losses, narrowly missing out on strapping a major championship belt around his waist.

Canadian middleweight Michael Olajide would deny the Bermudian that honour in an exciting televised United States Boxing Association (USBA) middleweight championship bout held on a hot summer afternoon in Atlantic City, New Jersey in May of 1987.

In what ultimately proved to be the local fighter?s one and only shot at a major championship, Darrell?s otherwise illustrious career would end on a sombre note when his opponent clinched the ten-round bout on points.

With such past battles now a distant memory, Darrell has been working quietly behind the scenes helping to prepare the Island?s next generation of fighters.

There remains, however, still one major stumbling block. Little or nothing has changed in terms of proper training facilities or increased competition since the days when he sought refuge as a young kid in the modest confines of PYC.

?I have been teaching the art of boxing at Paget Primary School (Warwick Community Centre) and at Forty Rego?s house for the past five years and we do have some talented boxers,? said Darrell, who at 43, can still land a jab or two and dance around the ring for a few rounds.

?But I think they just need better training facilities and more exposure to the outside (international) boxing world. Then they would gain more experience and progress forward.?

Taking a deep breath, Darrell reminisced over ?the good old days?.

?In my time we used to fight one another and then we would form a team and travel overseas to fight in the Caribbean or in Philadelphia or wherever,? he continued. ?We used to fight perhaps once or twice every two weeks. And so by the time I had progressed to the international level, I was prepared.

?But I had the youth centre (PYC) and it used to be like a family there. Sammy (former PYC trainer Sammy Wilson) ran it quite well. In the evening everybody knew it was time for training. We only had a stage, one mirror and a speed bag. But we all went there and worked out and when it was time to spar with others we sparred.?

Darrell attributes his successful career to dedication and commitment.

?What you put in is what you get out of it,? he pointed out, adding, ?back then people seemed more eager to learn.?

Darrell, however, also stressed how exposing locals to better overseas competition wouldn?t solve the problem alone. ?Government and sponsors must also become involved,? he said.

?More competition is definitely needed but we also need sponsorship. A lot of people don?t have the necessary funds. You need more than a garage to stage boxing events. It would be nice to see the Ministry of Youth and Sport involved because at one time they used to be involved.?

The former New York City State champion said Bermuda had produced successful boxers in the past ? Olympic heavyweight medallist Clarence Hill in particular ? but no investment had ever been made in the sport.

?Everything has gone backwards,? he said, ?especially at a time when we have so many youth out here today that have all this energy but nowhere to burn it. If you can produce one good fighter out of every ten young men, then that is a lot.

?It?s really disappointing and I have talked about this ever since I returned home from winning the New York State championship. That was way back in ?84 but look what?s taking place today. We have some young people who have nothing to do and all they are doing is making life hard for the mature crowd and themselves.?

Darrell reckoned there was more than enough sponsorship money ?floating? around the Island.

?Boxing doesn?t take much,? he added. ?All you need is a place big enough to put an 18 by 18 foot ring with a few mirrors and about four or five punching bags and then take it from there. Over the years Bermuda has produced some very successful boxers but no major investment has ever been made.?