Boxing is a sport that has been around since time eternal and has had a rich history on the Sunshine Coast.
Two local men hope that a new club offered through the recreation leisure guide will reignite people's interest.
"Boxing builds very important skills: confidence, self-esteem, social development, health, nutrition, psychical fitness, discipline and respect for self and others," said coach Jamie Berthelette.
Four boxers from the Musqueam Warriors Boxing Club in Vancouver put on a demonstration of skills and sparring in Sunnycrest Mall last Saturday afternoon. Coach Rick Shannon explained some of the rules of amateur boxing to the audience.
"Put Rocky out of your head. Put pro boxing out of your head," Shannon said. "If a kid looks tired or takes a hard hit, the ref stops the fight."Shannon showed the crowd how when a fighter takes a hard hit, the ref calls an eight count and assesses the health of the fighter who received the hit while sending the opponent to their corner to wait. He said if a youth boxer is hit hard and injured, they are automatically required to sit out of the ring for 30 days and have a medical before they can fight again.
"I compare it to hockey because that's what we're all familiar with," Shannon said. "If a hockey player gets his head rammed into the boards, they check him out, say he got his bell rung and send him back out. We're very sensitive to the protection of the kids."
Jaime Ward was the most experienced of the Warriors with 12 fights under her belt, including winning Best of the Northwest tournament in Seattle recently. She operates her own graphic design company and is training to box nationally.
"I like it because it's hard and a great challenge. It's extremely rewarding because you get confidence and become self-assured as a person," Ward said.Jordon Bowers has fought three times in the last two years and said boxing helps him in all areas of his life.
"It improves focus and keeps me motivated outside of boxing. It's nice to be able to handle yourself under pressure," the concert venue worker said.Heather Schwartz, who works in a realtor's office, has eight fights behind her and came to the sport after years of martial arts training. She said boxing is the core sport behind martial arts and that she likes it because it is fun and helps women to not feel so vulnerable.
Shannon and Berthelette have about 15 people ranging in age from 11 to 35 signed up for the first session running Sept. 22 to Nov. 5 and are still accepting registrants. A second session is scheduled for Nov. 10 to Dec. 17. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. You can sign up by calling the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
