By GM Ross: New Brunswick fight fans will be treated to plenty of local boxing as we enter the second half of October. First of all, on October 16, heavyweights Emile Arsenault (2-0-0) of Shediac, NB, and Julien Colette (4-1-0) of Bouctouche, NB, come together for New Generation Productions’ vacant Maritime heavyweight championship at Louis-J-Roubichaud high school in Shediac, New Brunswick. Despite being a ‘title’ fight, the contest is only scheduled for six rounds. New Generation’s cruiserweight Maritime title will also be on the line, as defending champion Guy Desforges (3-2-0) of Dalhousie, NB, takes on undefeated challenger Chris Norrad (5-0-0) of Boisetown, NB, in another six round affair. If a “Maritime” title is to be taken seriously, these contests need to feature fighters capable of going the ten round route. These six rounders are a sorry substitution for the once prestigious Maritime championships. But I digress.
For real action, circle October 22 on your calendars. The exciting and undefeated Samuel Vargas of Mississauga, Ontario, will be in Moncton for an eight round welterweight contest at the Moncton Lions Club. His opponent is TBA. Another fight that is sure to excite features hometown hopeful Jonah Arbuckle (4-2-0) against Chris Aucoin (3-4-1) of Saint Williams, Ontario, in a six round middleweight clash. Aucoin is one of the most tenacious competitors Canada has to offer and will give Arbuckle plenty of trouble in front of the latter’s Moncton faithful. In another middleweight contest, the very promising Richard Reittie (2-0-0) of Toronto, Ontario, takes on a more experienced professional in Jordan Clarke (4-0-2) of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Reittie comes with a noteworthy amateur pedigree and, despite his limited professional experience, will give Clarke the stiffest opposition of his career. New Brunswick will also get a look at former amateur standout and, in my estimation, future CPF or CPBC cruiserweight champion of Canada, Steve Franjic (1-0-0) of Orangeville, Ontario. His opponent is TBA. These fights are under the direction of Victory Promotions.