The War On The Shore 6 amateur boxing event June 1 in Gibsons was loaded with action and great boxing.
The highlight of the night came in the main event when the Sunshine Coast Boxing Club’s Theo Kontakakis pulled off an upset win over Surrey boxer Sukh Sahota.
Sahota is the current Boxing BC super heavyweight champion who took home the bronze medal at the recent Canadian championships.
In only the 10th fight in his kickboxing/boxing career, the 230-pound Kontakakis, who is only 20, hung tough with the taller 240-pound veteran boxer.
The fight was mostly fought at close quarters with Kontakakis able to spin out from the attacking Sahota and land sharp counter punches to win a close but unanimous decision.
In other bouts Sechelt middleweight Marcus Davies and Savard Boxing Club’s Ari Ashari entertained the 200 spectators in a back and forth affair between two big punchers.
Crowd favourite Angela Cantarutti of Gibsons boxed an exhibition bout with Vancouver’s Yo Kotsubo, showing her strong boxing skills, which recently earned her a place on Team BC at the Nationals.
Youth boxer Aidan McKenzie of Roberts Creek stepped up to the Senior category in an exhibition bout with colourful Vancouver lightweight Ras Nikhilesh in an entertaining exhibition of boxing skills.
This was a valuable experience for McKenzie as he moves up to Senior boxing after his next birthday.
SCBC founder Rick Shannon said the Coast boxers performed as hoped for in their home boxing event, which is a reflection of the coaching skill and energy their coach Tariq Abdulrahman brings to the club, located at the Lift Strength and Conditioning Centre in Wilson Creek.
The card featured 11 bouts with boxers from as far away as Nelson competing with some of B.C.’s best junior boxers putting on a show.
The Sunshine Coast Boxing Club thanks its many sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible.
To learn more about the Sunshine Coast Boxing Club’s competitive and recreational programs, call the Lift Strength and Conditioning Centre at 604-989-2269.
– Submitted
