Whether working out in the gym or just hanging out, brothers Kamar and Alex Bray love jamming to dancehall music. The sounds of Buju Banton, Masicka, Vybz Kartel, Skillibeng, Shenseea and Ninjaman get their blood pumping, especially before a fight.

Born in Melbourne, Florida, the Brays are boxers. Marvalyn Wilson, their Jamaican mother, ensured they had a strong sense of her country’s culture.

“Because of our mother, obviously we learn a lot about Jamaica. The food, the music, stuff like that, which is cool,” said 23-year-old Kamar, who is four years older than Alex.

The five feet, nine inches Kamar is a welterweight with a record of 8-0, while Alex is a super welterweight with an unblemished record after 11 fights. Alex, an imposing six feet, three inches, is currently ranked number 10 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Kamar has been to their mother’s home in St Catherine, but Alex is yet to visit that rustic area. Through her, they developed a love for spicy Jamaican food and rugged dancehall music. They learned boxing from their father and coach, Robert, an American who fought as an amateur heavyweight.

The sport runs deep in their family, with four uncles also fighting as amateurs.

“Boxing reminds me of life. You take a punch and move on,” said Alex, whose last fight was in February in Orlando against Rodrigo Coria of Argentina. He won that 10-rounder by unanimous decision.

Kamar’s previous bout in Palm Bay, Florida last March was a six-rounder against fellow American Gerry Dormeville, which he won by a similar result.

Their next fights are scheduled for August.

Several top American boxers have Jamaican heritage. Among them is former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, whose father is Jamaican.

Another is Floyd Mayweather, a champion in five weight divisions, whose mother is Jamaican.

— Howard Campbell