The 29th edition of the popular amateur boxing series, Clash at the Cascades, is a go this Friday (May 9), and the card is all about new young boxers coming into the system.
“Boxing is hot,†said Dave Allison, president of Combsport, the non-profit that regulates amateur boxing in B.C. “We have never had so many youngsters wanting to box and be involved in the sport. We decided to have a show that will highlight these athletes.â€
All of them will not get to fight because there is only so much room on the card.
Allison, who also heads up Langley’s City Boxing, said the event that’s being dubbed Young Guns III “will be exciting.â€
The feature bout will see Surrey’s Beneet Bisla in his toughest match to date.
The 17-year-old Bisla, the current B.C. youth champion at 154 pounds, will take on Ron Pryce, a senior boxer and former B.C. welterweight champion who is currently ranked No. 2 in the 160 pound weight category.
“This will be a great fight and a ground breaking match for young Bisla,†Allison predicted.
Allison said Bisla has improved greatly and, this coming October, will compete in the Youth Division at the WBC Canadian championships in Toronto.
His younger brother Gavin, 12, will meet fellow 12-year-old Chris Fortham of Suitela Martial Arts in the 90-pound division.
There will be a twin main event featuring two heavyweight bouts.
The top of the card will see Aaron Downy of Surrey’s World Kickboxing going up against Dan Baxter of Naniamo’s Tomari MMA.
Surrey’s Colin Nicholson, who represents Suitela, will take on Sam Moses as part of the heavyweight doubleheader.
A dozen bouts are expected at the Coast Hotel ballroom.
The night includes card girls, a bar service and free parking.
Those ages 12 and under are admitted free and tickets can be had at the door, which opens at 7 p.m. The boxing get underway at 7:30 p.m.
Bisla impresses
Surrey has seven active boxing clubs within Combsport and is the most active boxing community in B.C, followed by Vancouver with four clubs, Allison noted.
Combsport has 41 clubs around the province as well one in the Yukon.
Bisla Martial Arts was awarded the Combsport Cup as the year’s outstanding boxing club.
“The club has produced some great young boxers over the past few years,†Allison said. “They have a great program and complement the depth of competitors within Combsport.â€
The full name of Combsport is “British Colubia Combative Sports Association†and the association sanctions only amateur boxing, and is affiliated with the WBC Canada and World Boxing Council International.
Young Guns III
What: Amateur boxing
Where: Coast Hotel, 20393 Fraser Hwy
When: Friday, May 9. Doors open at 7 p.m., first bout at roughly 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: At the door