Mexicans come to Belize for mixed martial arts competition

Belize’s history with full contact sports has been limited to rare amateur boxing. The crowds that attend thirst for and appreciate the fervor of the fighters who probably, once a year, get to spar in a ring. But mixed martial arts is a sport that is almost unheard of except for when the House of Shotokan takes its fighters to participate in full contact events in Mexico. This time, the Mexicans have come to Belize and they brought their punching and kicking power with them. There will be nine fights on Saturday night and the main event will feature Mexican National, Alberto Galera, who holds a second degree black belt in kickboxing and also a background in Taekwondo. His challenger is House of Shotokan’s Jameel Smith.  News Five was at the dojo late this evening for the fighter’s weigh-in.

Voice of: Ray Kelly, Grandmaster House of Shotokan

“Finally our Mexican fighters have reached on the soil of Belize and this time we have Galera who will be challenging Iceman for this Saturday in Mexico. Both will be facing off there at the Belize Elementary School at seven p.m. in the night. Galera is from Mexico, he is ready to throw down, but I think Iceman will take care of business this Saturday.”

Alberto Galera, Mexican Mixed Martial Arts fighter

“We are ready. We are going to fight with all our hearts and let the best win. Yes we have been preparing for this. We are currently on a diet and we have cut down on eating. We are trying to keep our weight right. We are good, we are calm.”

Jameel Smith, Challenger, Mixed Martial Arts fighter

“First of all, I just want to thank him for coming over and giving us the competition; that’s the first thing. This is going to be a good fight. He is in shape, I am in shape and we are going to go as hard as we can with each other and it is going to be a war. Everybody come out and come watch.”

The fight starts at seven p.m. on Saturday night inside the Belize Elementary School Auditorium.