Tri-Star Boxing Academy is putting local fighters in the ring June 28.
At least eight local boxers training under coach Sam Lal, of Tri-Star Kick Boxing and Self Defence Academy, will get their first chance to compete in an Olympic-style amateur boxing event later this month, in front of an audience of up to 700 people.
Lal said he is hosting the event to give local fighters a chance to advance their skills with the ultimate goal of learning the form of boxing that will make them competitive in Ontario.
Lal is partnering with Floyd Porter, vice-president of Boxing Ontario. Porter runs a boxing club out Chatham called KAYO (The Kent Athletic Youth Organization). He is bringing in fighters from Chatham and other communities for the event.
In total, fighters from seven clubs, many of which are based in Toronto, have committed to the event.
Boxers 11 and up, matched according to weight and age, will get a shot at the ring before the two headliners take to the ring.
In the main event, Canadian super heavyweight champion Aimee Wilmot (out of KAYO in Chatham) will fight Canadian heavyweight champion Milinda Watpool.
In the semi-main event, Ontario light heavyweight bronze medalist David Jenner will fight Ontario light heavyweight novice champion Jonathan Rego.
Lal said he hopes the event will garner local interest in the sport, especially for young people.
Organizers are promising a very classy event with a limited-seating VIP dinner.
"Boxing is going through an evolution," said Porter who has organized similar events in his area.
He said the sport struggles against public misconceptions.
Many people's perception of boxing comes from movies, he said, like Rocky and Million Dollar Baby but those in the sport are working to change its image.
"Ya, it is a combative sport... but is not a bloody sport," said Porter, adding that the sport follows strict regulations set out by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and regulations imposed by Boxing Ontario, the association that governs the sport in the province.
Lal said getting young people involved in the sport helps to keep them off the street and out of trouble.
He said the majority of people who train at his facility are not interested in sparring. They use boxing as a way to attain a certain level of fitness and appreciate the underlying peaceful philosophy of the sport.
"I have seen the sport inspire healthy habits - eating right, sleeping right," said Lal.
He said 60-70 per cent of the youth he coaches who may have been considered at-risk or heading down the wrong path in life, turn themselves around.
"It comes to a point where you have not only self-respect but respect for everyone," said Lal.
The event takes place at the RecPlex in Wasaga Beach. A VIP ringside dinner begins at 6 p.m. The dinner is mostly sold-out but some seats may be available. Tickets cost $30. General admission to the show is $15. The action begins at 7 p.m. For tickets call 429-0501.
Tri-Star boxing team
Lukas Eccles
Drew Anstey
Clayton Skinner
Ryan Hare
Justin Siddall
Harry DeRose
Matt Beck
Eric Pettier
Darren Wilson
Jimmy Coburn
(card subject to change)
