Clash in Langley promises to be a hit

Champions will clash Friday night inside the Coast Hotel’s ballroom in downtown Langley.

In the year’s first edition of the Clash at the Cascades amateur boxing series, titleholders from two different divisions will meet in the squared circle.

Josh Wright of Ocean City Boxing holds the B.C. super welterweight title (at 154 pounds).

He will defend against Oliver Vajda, who is the B.C. welterweight (147 pounds) champion on Jan 30.

This will be the main event of what matchmaker and organizer Dave Allison calls an “outstanding offering” from Fights in the City, the promotional team that, Allison noted, “has revived amateur boxing in the Lower Mainland.”

“Over the past five years there have been some great nights of boxing at the Coast Convention centre, the mecca of boxing in B.C.,” Allison said. “The poster says it all: ‘The Best Boxing In Town.’ The card is stacked.”

The semi main event has local product Scott Woodward of Langley’s City Boxing challenging for the super lightweight City title.

Current City super lightweight champion Tyler Nicholson of Surrey is a rugged, tough fighter who has not lost a boxing match, Allison said.

Nicholson  also competes in mixed martial arts.

The four-round City title bout will be an exciting fight, Allison said. Nicholson scored a big first round stoppage in his last match.

Woodward has never been off his feet and has faced Nicholson before.

In a non-title fight, two of B.C.’s best big men will meet when B.C. cruiserweight champion Ken Huber from Kamloops takes on Aaron

Downey of Surrey, who recently lost the Classic Heavyweight championship.

Downey has been waiting for a rematch against champion Bryan Colwell to regain his title but that match hasn’t happened.

“Huber has stepped up and Langley fans will benefit because Downey-Huber should be a barn burner of two big men at 200 pounds,” Allison said. “Huber defeated Colwell in a title fight last summer in Kelowna.”

City Boxing’s Mat Andreatta has agreed to rematch Lucas Collette of Ocean City Boxing.

The 140-pound boxers had an exciting three round bout late last year. The rematch will be a four-round contest.

As well, Langley’s Amanda Pak will take on Alexandra Diaz from Saskatchewan in a female bantamweight match.

“Pak is still undefeated and will have her hands full Friday,” Allison said.

Twelve bouts are scheduled in what Allison described as “one of the best cards in some years.”

Tickets at the door are $30.

A full bar is available and parking is free.

The event is sanctioned by British Columbia Combative Sports Association and WBC Canada.

Bouts get underway at 7:30 p.m.