“Boxing in the Burg” presented by Fighting Island Boxing Club

The Fighting Island Boxing Club hosted its annual “Boxing in the Burg” card under a large tent in the parking lot at Shooters Roadhouse Sept. 12. Ten scheduled fights were part of the show, including several with local boxers in them, with demonstration bouts also part of the evening’s events. It was sanctioned by Boxing Ontario.

A night of amateur boxing was held over the weekend at Shooters Roadhouse.

“Boxing in the Burg” was presented Sept. 12 by the Fighting Island Boxing Club with the ring and seating set up under a large tent in Shooters’ parking lot. The annual show saw ten fights plus demonstration bouts, three of the ten scheduled fights being exhibition matches. Local boxers on the show included Ethan Jimmerfield, Abbi Neufeld, Kayze Vasic, Luka Premrl, Graham Glegrich and Dawson Woltz-Raby.

The evening also saw a ten-bell salute for Doug Patterson, a well-known coach in the local boxing community who passed away April 23.

Joe LeBlanc, owner and a coach with the Fighting Island Boxing Club, was pleased with how the event turned out overall.

“I think it went well,” said LeBlanc, after the Saturday night show.

In addition to the local boxers, fighters represented boxing clubs from Sudbury, London, Chatham-Kent, St. Thomas and Windsor.

While the “Boxing in the Burg” card was a fundraiser for the Fighting Island Boxing Club, LeBlanc said there is another big reason they present the show every year.

“The main thing is to get them some experience,” said LeBlanc.

Some of the Fighting Island boxers got their hand raised while some didn’t and others competed in exhibition fights. Regardless of results, LeBlanc was proud of how the local club’s boxers did in the ring.

“Everyone did great,” he said. “I’m really happy with them.”

The card was sanctioned by Boxing Ontario.

Shooters Roadhouse was thanked for hosting the show again this year and LeBlanc said the volunteers that helped with the show and help run the club were thanked also.

“All of our volunteers are amazing,” said LeBlanc. “Without them, we couldn’t do this. None of us get paid.”

The boxing community is a tight one, he added, and he thanked the entire community for the support.

“Win or lose, you make friends,” said LeBlanc. “It’s so cool.”

The Fighting Island Boxing Club is located within the Amherstburg Community Hub at 320 Richmond St.

“Boxing in the Burg” presented by Fighting Island Boxing Club

By Ron Giofu