The sequel should be bigger and better.
A professional boxing card, Rumble at the Rink 2, is scheduled for Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena on May 13.
Terry Strawson, event promoter, said he and his business partner Andrew Wilde are anticipating six action-packed bouts.
“We’re building something special,” said Strawson, in a press release. “Each event we host will offer fans something new, something exciting.”
The main event features Dashon (Flyboy) Johnson, who Strawson said instantly became a fan favourite with his win at last year’s Rumble at the Rink. Since then, the fighter from Escondido, Calif., has fought four other times, won three of those bouts and captured the North American Boxing Association’s super middleweight title.
“He scored two knockdowns in his last fight here, but people are going to see a truly world-class fighter this time around,” Strawson said. “His confidence is through the roof and we’re going to put together a big fight, for not only him, but for the fans, too.”
Johnson (19-19-3) will face Victor Manuel Palacios (13-11-2) of Guadalajara, Mexico.
In the semi-main event, Calgary’s Lukasz Wierzbicki (9-0) will put his undefeated record on the line against Felipe De La Paz Teniente (16-8) of Zamora, Mexico.
Another anticipated matchup sees undefeated 6-foot-7 fighter Marquice Weston (6-0-1) of Tacoma, Wash., take on Whitby, Ont.’s Brock Arthur (2-1-1).
An all-B.C. bout matches up Ladner’s Mike Dowsett (1-1-1) against Ken (Heavy Hands) Huber (1-0) of Kamloops.
“They could actually steal the show, to be honest, because they’re evenly matched and they’re looking to prove a point,” Strawson told the Bulletin.
In other action, Adam Querido of Vancouver, Wash. faces Sandy Pembroke of Ottawa and Dia Grant of Kelowna meets Winston (The Punisher) Matthews of Brantford, Ont.
Gordy Racette, who couldn’t get medical clearance to box at the last Rumble at the Rink, will continue to promote the sport.
“We can’t bring Gordy back to fight, but we’re bringing Gordy back in an ambassadorial role where he can help promote his charity work and we’re going to do possibly a meet-and-greet,” Strawson said.
Tickets to Rumble at the Rink 2 cost $20 for general admission, $60 for floor seats and $100 for ringside and are available at www.gloved-up.com. Fans who order tickets online before April 24 can get 20 per cent off if they enter the promo code RUMBLE2.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
