The dust has settled on another successful boxing event for Gloved Up Promotions and after seeing hometown boy Aubrey “Bam Bam” Morrow come away with the Western Canadian Middleweight title, the future is looking bright for boxing on Vancouver Island.
Terry Strawson, promoter for Gloved Up Promotions, was feeling optimistic after the “Rumble at the Rink” May 23.
The original plan was to host eight fights, but just three took place. It could have turned out to be a disaster but fans left the event with smiles on their faces, impressed at the quality of boxing that was put on in the ring, regardless of how many bouts were on the card.
“It was nice to see that,” Strawson said. “It ended well, which was great to see.”
“It was positive to see happen but there are things that we can do differently next time we come back and we’ll have to do those things better to make it that much more enjoyable.”
One of the bouts on the card that was cancelled was Gordy Racette’s fight. Racette was slated to be the first Canadian to fight in five decades but it never came to, as a failed pre-fight medical test just 30 minutes before the bout kept Racette off the card.
“That was a tough one,” Strawson said. “When I got home and saw Gordy out there addressing the crowd, I got choked up.”
“It was emotional for sure; it was hard for Gordy because he wanted it so bad. It was nice that he was able to get out there and speak to the crowd but it was tough to see that dream not come through.”
Strawson did say that Gloved Up Promotions is looking at setting up another card.
“We’d love to,” Strawson said. “We’re passionate about what we do and bringing another night of fights to Nanaimo would be a great thing, especially after the positive feedback from this last event. You have to strike while the iron’s hot.”