George Vourtsis of the Sunshine Coast Boxing Club (SCBC) took the win in the headline fight against Quebecer Michael Kechichian, who recently moved to Vancouver’s Eastside Boxing Club.
Roughly 400 people turned out for War on the Shore 4 at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre on April 9.
In the first two rounds Vourtsis, 39, had to adjust to the quick footwork and sharp counter punches from the younger fighter.
“It was a little difficult. The guy moved really well, he was a little hard to catch,” Vourtsis said. “He’s pretty slick, so he caught me with a few good punches, I saw some stars. That kind of backed me away, but I went back in there and tried to do my game plan.”
Vourtsis began to dictate the pace of the fight in round three. The pressure tactics and body punching Vourtsis had invested in began to pay off as the Quebec boxer was thrown off his pace.
Going into the fourth and final round, Vourtisis pulled one of the strong and dramatic finishes he is known for out of his huge heart. Kechichian fought back hard but Vourtsis was the dominant boxer by the final bell.
“I landed a few good body shots, but he took them well,” Vourtsis said. “He was good – every time I threw he would move out of the way. If I could do it differently? I don’t know. Knock him out.”
Ring announcer Barry Krangle made the announcement that Vourtsis had won by a close but unanimous decision and the arena erupted as Vourtsis’ supporters approved the decision.
Sunshine Coast Boxing Club founder Rick Shannon remarked that Saturday’s event was the best so far of the War on the Shore series.
“These boxing shows work because we have boxers like George Vourtsis who have been around for a number of years and have a solid fan base, while incoming boxers like Marcus Davies and Angela Cantarutti bring new interest to our boxing program.”
Cantarutti sparred with the 20-pound-heavier Sarah Fraske of Vancouver.
“She’s an awesome fighter, it was a good match,” Cantarutti said. “I knew she was a lot taller and bigger than me so I was trying to go for the body first so I could get to her head. And dodge her jabs, because her arms are a lot longer than mine.”
Adding fun to this sparring match, Cantarutti’s lady’s soccer team was in attendance, holding signs and wearing Mighty Mouse ears – a recent nickname for Cantarutti – to cheer her on.
The boxing got down to serious competition in bout three when Donavon Cridland of Kelowna’s MadKatzBoxing Club scored a 14-second K.O. over Langley boxer Brydan Blenheim.
The headgear and tank tops came off in bout seven as the pro-style boxing began. John Kutz of Victoria was in town to face the debuting Marcus Davies of Sechelt.
Davies, who was bruised, bleeding and battered in this hard-punching brawl, did not give in to the rock-hard Victoria boxer. Davies found the inner strength and guts to stay in the fight, turn the tide and win a unanimous decision.
“With the heart and effort Davies displayed in this fight, he can learn boxing and do well at it,” Shannon said. “You can teach boxing, but you can’t teach heart.”
Next up was popular Sunshine Coast Boxer Nik Stevenson at 220 pounds versus Victoria’s 233-pound Donilo Miltivic for the heaviest fight of the night.
The bout looked like a mismatch at its start as the powerfully built Stevenson came to ring centre with the soft, youthful looking Miltivic.
Stevenson pressured the Victoria fighter throughout the fight. Miltivic resorted to holding Stevenson several times to protect his own body.
Miltivic did land some good counter punches but was being out worked. Shannon – as referee – warned Miltivic for holding on a few occasions but let the fight continue as long as Stevenson kept punching and allowed the fighters to bring the bout to its natural conclusion.
Stevenson appeared to have the edge in this fight but the house fell silent as Miltivic was named the winner by the judges.
Stevenson took the decision gracefully and said he hopes for a rematch with Miltivic.
“It didn’t go my way, but it was a good fight,” Stevenson said. “I should have let my hands go a little more.”
The first match of the night was a spar between junior boxers Beau Smith of the SCBC and Nik Shufletoski of Kamloops. The spar was entertaining as the skillful, fast-on-his-feet Smith was the matador to Shufletoski’s bull.
Beau got to shake off some ring rust, having been unable to compete for eight months due to a jaw injury.
The Sunshine Coast Boxing Club is located in Andy’s Plaza in Gibsons. For information and schedules contact Randy Hollett, 604-989-5180.
– With files from Rick Shannon
