RYAN GRAHAM
Observer Reporter
2 Rivers boxers put on a show for the hometown crowd April 23 as the club hosted Rumble 20, which saw clubs from Cranbrook, Sooke, Nanaimo, Salmon Arm and Quesnel compete. The club had nine competitors in the Rumble with Heera Panasar, Emmet Emblau, Alysia and Kaitlin Flood, Curtis Lobsinger, Nick Kwiakowski, Olin Lee, Dayton Swaan and Shawn Archer, who competed in the main event.
There were three initiation class bouts on the night with the first being Jill Doucett of Sooke, who went up against Sierra Pearson of Cranbrook in a spirited affair with both boxers giving everything they had, as they set the standard for what the rest of the night would be.
The second saw teammates face off against each other as Panasar and Emblau displayed good technique and skills in the ring. Although, Emblau was giving up a decisive height advantage it did not slow him down, as his nickname of “Iron” Emblau came to fruition as he came out delivering big shots.
Panasar held his ground as he used his reach to his advantage staying away from Emblau. The final initiation bout saw Carson Campbell of Sooke and Dylan Muhlig of Cranbrook compete with both boxers leaving everything in the ring. Muhlig and Campbell were also awarded the Logan Reeve award for the best young boxers at the Rumble. Every competitor in the initiation matches also received a trophy for competing.
Along with the initiation bouts there was also two sparing contests with the first being a family battle as twin sisters Alysia and Katlin Flood of 2 River Boxing Club faced off and settled family disputes. The other sparing contest was also a 2 Rivers affair as Olin “Tiger” Lee went up against Dayton Swaan with both boxers giving everything they had. The 135 pound junior bout saw Dominic Barbosa of Salmon Arm face off against Peter Kortae of Naniamo in a fight that went the distance with Barbosa coming out on top in a unanimous decision.
Both boxers came ready to fight as they delivered big blows to begin the round which carried over to the second, where Kortae had his opponent on the ropes with Barbosa’s only way out being the bell, which ended the round allowing him to regroup.
The final round saw Barbosa come out strong knowing he needed to get the momentum back on his side, as he threw a flurry of jabs and uppercuts which helped him earn the victory. 2 Rivers’ Lobsinger and Jason Stewart of Prince George went up against each other in the 198 pound senior exhibition bout, which saw Lobsinger win in a first round stoppage.
He says leading up to his match he put a lot of training in with head coach Wally Doern and teammate Shawn Archer.
“I just went in and did what I was taught to do and I got the first round stoppage,” Lobsinger said.
“I would have liked to see the match go a little bit longer and put on more of a show for everyone here in our hometown, but all in all I’m thankful for my opponent and wish him the best of luck.”
Lobsinger said going into the match he wanted to follow through with his game plan.
“I wanted to come in and feel him out,” Lobsinger said.
“I’ve been working a lot on body shots, so I’ve been trying to weave and work the body and then come to the head.”
He added that he’s made big improvements since his last match.
“My first fight was more brawling and I really wanted to focus hard on boxing and keeping my hands where they are suppose to be and not brawl as much,” Lobsinger said.
“I believe the boxing prevailed and it helped get me the stoppage.”
Doern was very proud of Lobsinger’s performance and says he has come a long way.
“In that match he was holding back, but the difference is now he’s getting more accurate with his punches and his punches were very accurate,” Doern said.
“Even though he was taking it easy, it was to much for the other fellow.”
In the 100 pound junior bout, Nick Kwiakowski of 2 Rivers went up against Payton Muhlig with the hometown boy getting the win in a split decision. Both boxers began the bout landing good shots, which carried over to the next two rounds.
The second saw the pace and physicality pick up as both stepped up their game, delivering a good combination of jabs and uppercut, leaving everything in the ring in hopes of getting the decision.
In the end it was Quesnel’s Kwiakowski who had his arm raised, as he took the victory. Doern was very impressed with his boxer and says he has a lot of potential.
“With Nick’s build and reach I want him to be a scientific type of boxer,” Doern said.
“He has good movement, a lot of heart and he is very coachable.”
Dakota Pensky of Naniamo and Emma Turley of Salmon Arm faced off in the 120 pound junior bout in a solid match, which went the distance with Pensky coming out on top. The next bout was an open exhibition contest which saw seven-time Canadian Champion Kenny Lally go up against Jag Seehra, the silver medalist from nationals. Both boxers who are from Prince George put on a good show for the fans as they displayed their skills in the ring, using good technique and combination punches to get the crowd into the match.
The main event saw Archer of 2 Rivers face off against Matt Ruff of Prince George in a good contest with Ruff taking the victory in a unanimous decision.
The match was also named bout of the night as both boxers lived up to the expectations of a main event. Although, they didn’t get the win Doern was proud of Archer, but admits he needs to be in a different weight class.
“He needs to keep training and get in a lighter weight class, but it was good because it shows him what the competition world is after not boxing for a number of years,” Doern said.
The Sooke Boxing Club was also awarded the best out of town club. Before the Rumble began Doern honoured Boyd Bain and Bill Franklin, two former coaches who were given two 10 counts for their contributions to the sport of boxing. Next up for 2 Rivers will be the Golden Gloves which will take place June 10 – 11 in Quesnel.
