LAC LA BICHE - In the time it’s taken for a few cuts and bruises to heal, organizers of the recent Lac La Biche Spring Break-Up boxing event say it looks like they punched-out a pretty good event.
Hosted by the Lac La Biche Boxing Club, the Spring Break-Up played out to a full house at Lac La Biche’s Community Room on April 27.
In the days following the fight-night, coach Jeremy Trimble says the event saw 16 bouts in the ring featuring youth to adult boxers from clubs across Alberta and Saskatchewan. More than 200 people came out to watch the battles.
“The feedback and support is amazing and really overwhelming,” Trimble told Lakeland This Week, adding that the last time the club hosted a big boxing event was more than a decade ago. “The last Spring Break up was in 2011 and it’s been long overdue.”
Of the 16 events on the fight card, five featured Lac La Biche boxers. Trimble said Nick Burdek, Shiloh Gammon, Andy Cardinal, Reese Berland, and Jaydin Blood did very well.
The Lac La Biche boxing coach said Burdek was the first member of the club to step into the Break-Up ring. The rookie boxer in the 61-kilo category took part in a 'fun box’ event with his opponent that was more for experience and learning than competition. Gammon, also in the 61kg category, was competing in his first amateur bout and took his opponent to the bell at the end of the third round but lost in a split decision.
Andy “Crazy Horse” Cardinal was the first Lac La Biche boxer to walk away with a win, doing it quickly when the referee stopped the fight midway through the first round of the junior 54-kilo tilt.
“Andy shocked his opponent and the crowd with a first round RSC (referee stopped contest), this being his second victory in the last two months,” Trimble said.
Hometown boxer Reese Berland also punched up a victory in the Elite 71kg class, winning a judges’ decision in a three-round bout.
Trimble said Berland showed some great technical skills and landed hard precise punches.
Jaydin “Bad” Blood also won his Elite 79kg fight when the referee stopped the fight in the second round.
Trimble and the club's head coach Ken Scullion said the local athletes represented the club and the community very well.
Holding events such as the Spring Break-Up, Trimble says, is not only an “absolute highlight” for the Lac La Biche Boxing Club that helps local boxers earn experience, but it also highlights the sport itself.
“Events like this mean so much because it shows the incredible community support our club has, it’s a stage for young athletes to show their skills, and it’s an entertaining event for our community that I am incredibly proud of,” Trimble said.
In the case of the recent event, the fight night also helps the club with much-needed funding to continue offering opportunities to local athletes.
The boxing club, Trimble said, is a non-profit organization and the costs associated with travelling to competitions, accommodating boxers, as well as purchasing vehicle insurance, fuel, maintenance, along with equipment costs add up.
Can local boxing fans expect to see another Spring Break-Up in the future?
Moving forward, Trimble says, the club would like to try and make this an annual event. The boxing coach hopes to continue to keep the same outlook of highlighting not only local talent, but the community as well.
“My plan as always is to progressively grow the event and I truly hope to keep the momentum going,” he said.
Trimble said the club is grateful for the support it received from residents, sponsors, the boxing community, as well as Dr. Adeolu Apelehin, who served at ringside during the bouts. He added that night wouldn't have been a success without an incredible group of volunteers who helped with food service, event set-up, ticket sales and cleanup.
Trimble also said the knockout support from Ken Scullion, the head coach of the Lac La Biche Boxing Club, for his dedication to the sport.
“Ken Scullion has dedicated a lifetime to Lac La Biche boxing, and I hope we can continue to provide that outlet to local youth, and again showcase the very best of what our community has to offer, both from a boxing perspective and the community in general,” Trimble stated.
