Cranbrook boxing enthusiasts can get their fix next Saturday as the Eagles Hall will host a boxing event featuring local athletes on the fight card.
Ryan Lindsay, Colin Adams, Tyler Gallinger and Shannon Ryan are representing the Eagles Boxing Club and have confirmed bouts set up for the event, which begins at 7 p.m.
Boxing coach Bill Watson is also working on getting matches for two more of his students in Gage Duthie and Leah Saverie.
Watson has fighters coming in from all over Alberta and Montana to participate in the fight, as the main event features Kenny Lally against Kenny Guzman.
Lally is a three-time Canadian champion, while Guzman is a Montana State champion, which should make for an exciting finale for the evening.
Ryan is in her second year in boxing, after joining last year to accompany a friend, who was the only other regular girl with the club.
She just turned 16 years old a week ago, and will get her first taste of a fight in the ring this weekend.
“We had her ready to compete at the end of last year. She caught on really quick, she’s a real tough girl, throws her combinations really well and has pretty good defence,” said Watson.
Ryan will face an bigger opponent out of Montana who only has one fight under her belt.
“I’m nervous,” said Ryan. “I’m looking forward to being in my hometown—I have a lot of support. I’m excited.”
Despite her inexperience in competitive fights, Ryan knows what she has to do.
“Dip your head, duck and move because when those hands start coming, she’s a lot taller than me, she has a longer reach,” Ryan said. “Get low, get to the body and get out of there.”
