After another successful event at the Frank Crane Arena last summer, Gloved Up Promotions are going to be back at it once again in May, with another boxing event.
On Friday, May 13, at the Frank Crane Arena, Gloved Up Promotions will step back in the ring for ‘Rumble at the
Rink 2’.
Coming off their last event, Gloved Up Promotion’s Terry Strawson felt pretty good about the way things went. With only a few hiccups along the way — like local legend Gordy Racette being pulled at the last minute due to health concerns — the event showcased some top notch boxing from start to finish.
The evening was capped off with Parksville’s Aubrey ‘Bam Bam’ Morrow disposing of Paul Bzdel for the Western Canadian middleweight title.
This time around, the card is shaping up to be a dandy once again, though it’s going to have a bit more of an “international” feel to it than the first two events put on by Gloved Up Promotions.
“We’re very excited to be putting on another event,” promoter Strawson said. “Things have been very busy, trying to get the right matchups for the card and putting all of that together.”
“It’s fun for me, being able to do that sort of thing, but we’ve been putting in the work, getting together everything we need to do in order to put together a quality event once again.”
One of the names on the card will be a familiar one if you were in attendance last summer at the Frank Crane Arena.
Dashon ‘Flyboy’ Johnson will be making his return to Canada, this time with a little more gold to his name.
Also appearing on the card will be unbeaten Marquise ‘Tree’ Weston, who brings his 6-0-1 record to the ring along with his tall 6’7” frame.
Also on the card so far is Canadian Steve Claggett, holder of the Canada welterweight title and the Canadian Professional Boxing Council (C.P.B.C) welterweight title.
Claggett is coming off of back-to-back TKO finishes in his last two fights.
“The fighters we’ve got on the card already are exciting,” Strawson said. “We’ve had the local feel the last couple of events and the fans have been entertained by our local guys, but we’re still going to continue whether or not they’re on the card.”
“This one is going to be something different, something fresh compared to the last two cards, which isn’t a knock on anyone. We’re looking to put on a good show for the fans, we want the best for whoever will be involved in our event, local fighters or not.”
Strawson — who’s business relationship and personal relationship with Dashon Johnson has grown over the eight years they’ve known each other — has been in California working on the finishing touches for Johnson’s next fight.
Before coming to Nanaimo, Johnson’s next fight will be for the WBO NABO super middleweight and the USBA super middleweight titles against undefeated Jesse ‘Hard Work’ Hart in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time,” Strawson said. “As a fan, I’m very excited for this chance Dashon is getting. As his friend, there’s always that worry in the back of your mind when he’s stepping into the ring with anyone.”
“You want the best for him, and any fighter for that matter, but you don’t want to see anyone seriously hurt at the end of the day either.”
