The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER being inactive for the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Amron ‘Sandman’ Sands is eager to get back in the ring to continue his professional boxing career.

Unbeaten in his first 11 fights, Sands will have his hands full when he takes on Alexis Garcia in his backyard in the Dominican Republic on March 12.

“This one I’m taking more seriously because I’m 11-0 and I don’t want to lose this one,” said Sands, who has won nine of his fights by a technical knockout.

“We have to see who wants it the most. So it will be an interesting fight. Nobody wants to lose, so we will see who is the bigger dog in this fight.”

Sands, 29, is coming off an unanimous decision over Cristian Galvez at the Club Calero in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on January 20, 2020 before the pandemic shut down the rest of the year.

“I just have to stay positive and just keep working,” said Sands about dealing with the limitations imposed by the pandemic. “We just hope that everything will get back to normal very soon.

“I haven’t fought in over a year, so it’s been a little down because nobody likes to waste time, but nobody could control what’s going on. We just have to keep training and hope that you can do your best.”

Despite the shutdown of many boxing matches for the past year, Sands said he continues to spar and to workout to ensure that he is ready for whenever the bell rings for him to return to the ring. “I’m ready,” he insisted.

No doubt, the lay-off might result a little ring rust, but Sands said he doesn’t envision it will last for too long in the fight.

“Sparring is different from fighting.” he stated. “So you just have to stay active and I’ve been in several gyms sparring. So since we’ve been doing it for so long, I know I will need the first round to get back on track.

“I would say that the first round will be awkward, but once I get through it, I’m going to try and knock this guy out.”

Sands said he doesn’t know Garcia and he’s not concerned about him. He will leave Orlando on March 9, get his COVID-19 test and after fighting on the 12th, will depart the Dominican Republic on the 13th.

“I have to stay in the hotel,” said Sands of the protocol restrictions in place. “I can’t do any sightseeing or anything. So it’s going to be strictly business when I get there.”