GM Ross – It can be said with some certainty that most Canadian boxing fans are aware of the upcoming Molitor-Ndlovu, Bute-Miranda and Lucas-Andrade fight cards. What some may not know, is that over the next two months numerous, more local shows will be taking place across the country. Beginning with the amateurs, boxers from Canada and America will tangle in the 2010 Ontario Golden Gloves at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in London, Ontario. The tournament takes place April 9-11, and is being organized by Boomerz Boxing Club of London. For more information, or to register a boxer, contact Boomerz Boxing at 226-663-6749. In the Maritimes, the professional “Next Great Heavyweight” tournament will draw to a close on April 10, in Moncton, New Brunswick. The two finalists are Julien Collette of Bouctouche, New Brunswick and Warren Porter of Doaktown, New Brunswick. Hopefully we’ll see both men active in the Canadian heavyweight division following the tournament’s conclusion..
I have received word from promoter Eric De Guzman of Teofista Promotions that professional boxing will return to Calgary, Alberta, May 15 at the Bowness Sports Plex. Canadian lightweight standout Steve Claggett will headline the card against an opponent to be announced at a later date. Other fighters appearing on the card include Ted Reno, Ken Frank, Stuart McLellan and Roberto McLellan, with their opponents TBA. Further information will provided as it becomes available.
Further west, West Coast Promotions has seven pro-fights scheduled for April 3 at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia. The feature bout of the night will be Canadian Boxing Federation (CBF) light heavyweight champion Junior Moar of Winnipeg, Manitoba, against Billy Bailey of Bakersfield, California. On the undercard, six fighters will make their professional boxing debuts, presenting an excellent opportunity for fans to scout some of Canada’s up-and-coming talent. Later, on April 24, pro-boxing comes to Duncan, British Columbia, when Jeannine Garside and Lindsay Garbatt square off for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association featherweight championship.
Looking east, we have CBF super featherweight champion Tyson Cave against Irish prospect Willie Casey, at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario on April 8. According to the Limerick Leader, Casey brings international amateur experience to the ring, along with his 4-0-0 professional record. The Cave-Casey card will be followed by more Ontario boxing on May 15, in Brampton, where Buxton Promotions and United Promotions will have Andrew Singh Kooner take on Jose Antonio Elizabeth for the the vacant NABA bantamweight title. The under card includes three debuts, the return of heavy punching rookie Denton Daley, and Canadian favorites Tebor Brosch, Harrison McBain and Jorge Banos.
Last, but of course not least, both the Canadian Boxing Federation and Canadian Professional Boxing Council will hold bouts for their respective super middleweight titles. First, on March 26, at the Claude-Robillard Centre in Montreal, Quebec, the CPBC will crown the winner of the Ali Nestor Charles versus Martin Desjardins contest their super middleweight champion of Canada. The following week, the thus far unstoppable, unbeatable and undisputed Canadian super middleweight champion David Lemieux will put his CBF title on the line against former interim CBF middleweight champion Walid Smichet at the Montreal Casino.