The US state of North Carolina, like all of the South, shares much culturally with the Caribbean.

Among those cultural commonalities is a seemingly bottomless well of sporting talent across several major disciplines and a fierce competitive spirit.

Xzaviar Ford is but the latest to span that channel between the two regions, as he brings his skill, experience (mostly as an amateur) and passion to the 2016 renewal of the Wray and Nephew Contender Series, the premier televised boxing event in this region.

The 25-year-old is part of an eight-member Team USA aggregation that will face off against the Caribbean’s best, including last year’s beaten Contender finalist, Jamaican Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes.

This would be a tough task for any boxer, but more so for one coming from overseas into a demanding partisan home crowd, and one with limited experience as a pro.

Ford will square off against Richard ‘Frog’ Holmes today at the Chinese Benevolent Association for the first match in the Wray & Nephew Contender Series.

Ford comes into Jamaica with a professional record of one victory and three losses, this after a good amateur run according to coach Chris Joy.

Amateur boxing is long established in the US, with the famous Golden Gloves and other competitions yielding a constant stream of young, yet battle- hardened talent yearning for professional glory, including every fighter’s dream, the chance to fight for a world title.

Ford is certainly not lacking in confidence, and is keenly anticipating his first Caribbean bout: “It’s a joy and an honour to be able to come to the Caribbean and face top talent here, and I know that I’m going to grow a lot from this experience.”

He is also well aware that should he eclipse his Jamaican opponent and move beyond the preliminary stages, the going will only get tougher. “I’ve faced a lot of tough situations and tight squeezes,” he said, adding: “I’m not about to fold.”

And so, in the still unfolding history of closer ties between the two cultures, young Xzaviar Ford is looking to have his name etched as one who came “south of the South”, saw and conquered.