The pro-am portion of the 43rd version of Clash at the Cascades took a bit of hit recently – but the show will go on.
Friday’s amateur boxing show at the Coast Hotel ballroom, next to Cascades Casino, was originally supposed to include a professional bout.
The first pro am boxing match done by the new BC Athletic Commission was held April 1 at the Coast, with the amateur portion of the event sanctioned by the British Columbia Combative Sports Association.
In the April event, Canadian champion Sarah Pucek of Fort Langley won a unanimous decision over Stephanie Essensa of Red Deer in a non-title fight.
For June 17, Western Canadian champion Alisah McPhee was set to take on old foe Wendy Roy of Mission.
The two faced each other at the River Rock Casino back in 2013 in a five-round match.
Their rematch has been cancelled, however, the full amateur card will go forward.
A five round amateur semi main event will be of interest to many, noted Clash organizer Dave Allison.
Current B.C. light heavyweight champion Kian Heidrari will be challenged by Buneet Bisla.
Heidrari was off a year with a hand injury and will take his 8-0 record into the bout against Buneet Bisla. Heidrari boxes out of Manny Sobral’s North Burnaby Gym and, Allison said, “should have his hands full with Bisla.”
“Buneet has about a dozen fights in all, that includes some kickboxing,” Allison added.
The 18-year-old Bisla is now being trained by trainer Richard LeStage from Parksville.
Bisla has just graduated and lives and trains in Surrey at his father’s gym Bisla Martial Arts.
“These are two up and coming prospects , both looking at the pros,” Allison said. “Kian, at 20, is the ‘old guy’ in the fight.”
A City welterweight championship match pits Eastside Boxing’s Abdul Fidel of Vancouver against POWD’s Ajit Sandhu of Richmond.
“The two are evenly matched and have been in each other’s sights for some time,” Allison said.
In all, the card is scheduled to feature nine bouts.
Tickets will be available at the door at $40 each and $50 at ringside. Kids ages 12 and under admitted free. There is free parking and also a bar service.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and the action starts at 7:30 p.m.