“We’re excited as we prepare for the event,” said Peter Allen, the club’s head coach. “We’re pleased with how things are coming together.”
The event will feature 12 bouts, with local Mike Pinto going up against Josh Rodenizer in the main event. Two local provincial champs and more up-and-coming boxers will also be featured on the card.
The club, now located in what once was the Princess Margaret Rose School on Willow Street, held a demonstration day last Saturday with a motorcycle rally and sparring demonstration, as well as a building tour and barbeque.
“A lot of people dropped in and others watched from their cars in the Lawton’s parking lot,” said Anthony Lynds, club president. “It was good exposure for the club. The day was a success.”
Lynds, a former boxer, is involved with day-to-day operations.
“I make sure kids are properly registered,” Lynds said. “There are telephone calls to make and I work closely with Peter in lining up bouts. Organizing fund raisers is also a big part of what I do.”
Allen praised the facility the club moved into last September. After some renovations, the club now has people dropping in off the street.
“We’ve tried to make it look like a boxing club,” he said. “It‘s really nice people (are) dropping in and showing an interest. Things are coming along well with the club.”
Pinto, of Truro, has been involved in boxing for six years and has 10 bouts under his belt. It will be his third time facing Rodenizer, with one win apiece.
“I’m very excited about next Friday night,” said Pinto, a Grade 12 student at Cobequid Educational Centre. “I’ll be glad to show up. We’re pretty even, it should be a good bout.”
Pinto, who won a boxing bronze medal last fall at nationals in Quebec City, is an all-around athlete. Besides being a member of the CEC wrestling and rugby teams, he also enjoys badminton. To further help his footwork, Pinto takes ballet at Truro Dance Academy.
Ryan Dillman is another outstanding local boxer. A 17-year-old, Dillman has had 30 bouts over seven years. He has won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Canadian National Boxing Championships and also made an outstanding showing during the Ringside World Boxing Championships in Kansas City.
Dillman is preparing for the Canadian Golden Gloves in Cornwall, Ontario, next month. As part of this young athlete’s training, he runs five-kilometres daily.
Drake Bruce, a 13-year-old Central Colchester Junior High student and Truro resident, is a newcomer to the club.
“I’m looking forward to my first bout,” Drake said. “I’m a bit nervous but training has been going pretty good. I’m going to try my best and see what happens.”
Jay McFadyen, a grade five student at Truro Elementary School, is also a first year boxer.
“Things have been going good and it’s great exercise,” Jay said. “I really enjoy getting in the ring and taking part in competitive boxing. This will be my first bout next Friday night and I feel good about it.”
Here’s hoping the Hubtown Boxing Club will receive some strong local support for this upcoming boxing card at the Best Western Plus Glengarry.
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