By GM Ross – Friday evening at the Palace Banquet Center in Edmonton, Alberta, Canadian Olympian Adam Trupish claimed the vacant Canadian Boxing Federation (CBF) middleweight crown in just his fifth contest as a professional. His opponent was the rarely active Michael Walchuk of Kitchener, Ontario via Regina, Saskatchewan. Walchuk was ranked fifth by the CBF coming into the fight, despite having fought only twice in the past four years (according to boxrec.com). Prior to 2006, however, Walchuk fought regularly, against high quality Canadian opponents. In February of 2005, he earned an eight round unanimous decision over the very tough Jason Naugler of Nova Scotia and earlier in his career won a close split decision against recent Nicholson Poulard victim, Larry Sharpe. Trupish, on the other hand, has been remarkably busy, fighting four times since entering the pro-ranks last October. All three judges – Cameron Quwek, Usman Ali, Craig Metcalfe – scored the fight 97-93 in favour of Trupish. It was far from a clean sweep for the Olympian, but nonetheless represents the most impressive victory of his fledging professional career..
For Adam Trupish, it’s a tough road ahead. If Canada’s new middleweight champion wants to establish himself as a legitimate title holder, and do what’s best for the sport here in the great white north, there are only three boxers to be considered as his next opponent – Donald Orr, Renan St. Juste and Ian Gardner. Each of these men was ranked higher than Trupish coming into the Walchuk contest. Donald ‘Donnie Boy’ Orr of Victoria, British Columbia, has been campaigning in the United States against some experienced, albeit journeymen, opponents. Like Trupish, Orr is a former Olympian, competing for Canada in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Promoters could capitalize on the ‘Olympian vs Olympian’ angle presented by a Trupish vs Orr contest, adding some much needed intrigue and legitimacy to Canadian professional boxing. Ian Gardner of Halifax, Nova Scotia, has held several regional belts, including the NABO and NABC light middleweight titles and WBC Mundo Hispano middleweight title. He has fought and lost to Arthur Abraham, Chad Dawson and Peter Manfredo Jr., offering up the most star-studded resume of the three contenders mentioned. Renan St. Juste of Repentigny, Quebec, is ranked the number one contender by both the CBF and the Canadian Professional Boxing Council and like Gardner has claimed ‘stepping-stone’ titles including the NABA and WBC Continental Americas middleweight titles.
In other action at the Palace Banquet Center, cruiserweight/heavyweight prospect James Cermak of Edmonton, Alberta, made short work of Matt Anderson of Monticello, Minnesota, in the heavyweight division, scoring a knockout in the second of a scheduled six rounds. Prior to the fight, Cermak was ranked number two by the CBF in the cruiserweight division. Should he rejoin the cruisers, he could soon see action against CBF cruiserweight champion Ryan Henney. Also in the heavyweight division, Clayton Gladu of Edmonton, Alberta, drew with Jamie Walton of Burnaby, British Columbia, moving the fighters to 0-4-1 and 3-2-2 respectively. Walton is already scheduled for action next month, against Sandy Pembroke of Kamloops, British Columbia, April 3 at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia. CJ Borden of Edmonton, Alberta, made his second appearance in just over a month, scoring a TKO over Gerard Audate of Longueuil, Quebec, in the second round of a super featherweight four rounder. Vanessa Bradford of Edmonton, Alberta, and Heather Hutchens of St. Paul, Minnesota, made their debuts in women’s light welterweight action, the former winning via a four round unanimous decision. Last but not least, Ryan Ines of Vancouver, British Columbia, had his pro-debut spoiled by Brad Marks of Edmonton, Alberta, who grabbed a TKO victory in the first stanza of a scheduled four round light-welterweight affair.