The final details for the May 23 card for the “Rumble at the Rink” at Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo are taking shape.
Parksville’s Aubrey “Bam Bam” Morrow will battle Paul Bzdel for the Western Canadian Middleweight title.
There will also be a rematch of the much talked about fight between Peggy Maerz and Alisha McPhee as they fight for the CPBC (Canadian Professional Boxing Council) Western Canadian title.
It’s an event that should excite fight fans, much like last summer’s event at the Port Theater, now with space for more fans in the arena.
“It’s been challenging but things are moving along,” Gloved Up Promotions’ Terry Strawson said. “Being able to finalize the deal for Aubrey to fight for the title was a big one for us.”
“We’re extremely happy to be able to showcase such a great talent and give him the platform to fight in front of the hometown fans,” Strawson said. “We want the fans that come out to the fights to leave with a smile on their face and I think we’ve the fighters to do just that.”
Strawson, along with Stan Peterec, Wayne Willows and Dave Allison, were able to bring in amateur fights on the card as well.
This allows amateur fighters to not only be showcased on a card but to also get a glimpse of what could be right around the corner for them once they turn professional.
“It’s a win-win situation,” Strawson said. “We get to showcase some of the great amateur talent and they get to have a chance to see some great professional talents as well.”
“For someone at the amateur level, this could be the difference between going pro or not moving up at all, being able to see what it’s like at the next level. It’s great for boxing too because you get to encourage the growth of the sport, being able to have both the amateurs and professionals on the same card.”
Another name on the card is Dashon Johnson, who was slated to fight last year at the Port Theater but had to pull out due to an injury.
Johnson, who was recently in the UFC, had two sparring sessions with Manny Pacquiao recently and was just given the chance to continue sparring daily with Pacquiao as he prepares to fight Floyd Mayweather.
“Another big draw for us, for sure,” Strawson said. “Having a guy coming to fight in Nanaimo who’s training with one of the boxers in one of the biggest matches in boxing history is pretty cool.”
“Dashon has a lot of talent and it was clearly recognized to get this opportunity. We’re very proud of Dashon, we’ve known him a while now, and everything that he’s accomplished.”
Tickets are available to the “Rumble at the Rink” event by calling 250-616-1070.
Tickets range from $20 to $100 for ringside seats and every ticket purchased will give fans a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas, drawn on fight night.