Rumble at the Rink

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Saturday, May 23rd, 2015

In the main event of the evening local knockout artist Aubrey “Bam Bam” Morrow will look to become the best middleweight in Western Canada when he and two-time Canadian title challenger Paul Bzdel square off to contest the CPBC Western Canadian Title.

“Aubrey was voted best fighter in  western Canada last year by a well respected publication and he now has the opportunity to validate that claim. He has knocked out two very credible opponents in the last year and him and his team are confident of repeating the act this time around.”

In the inaugural event hosted by Gloved Up Promotions in July of last year, fight of the night honours where seemingly granted to Alisah McPhee and Peggy Maerz as these two women laid it all on the line in a back-and-forth contest that really set the tone for an evening of excitement. They are back to do it all over again, with a title on the line this time around.

“I’m excited for them both. I think it is something that both women deserve and I’m happy that they both want it too. Peggy was desperately unlucky last time around and made no attempt to hide her frustrations,” recollected Strawson “We, as a promotion, cannot do anything about judging or refereeing but we can offer chances for redemption. That’s what we are doing here, for both women.”

Rounding out the evenings professional portion of pugilism are Manny Pacquiao’s chief sparring partner Dashon Johnson and local ring legend Gordy Racette in separate bouts. Racette is on course to make boxing history as he becomes the first Canadian to compete in five decades. (Only the third in history behind Roberto Duran and Sauol Mamby.)

Johnson’s last visit to Canada resulted in him knocking out two-time Olympian Adam Trupish in Vacouver a couple of years ago. Trupish, ranked #11 by the WBA, was ahead on the scorecards when Johnson rallied with a flurry of huge right hands and sent the highly favoured Canadian crumbling to the canvas. We should expect more fireworks from the man nicknamed “FlyBoy”.

Racette, a heavyweight of great repute in the 80’s and 90’s, is desperate to etch his name into the history books and Gloved Up Promotions is happy to provide the platform in which to do so. At a whopping 63 years of age, there are concerns for health and safety but co-promoter Andrew Wilde is comfortable with the decision to promote such a landmark event.

“He’s a legend in our area and he’s kept himself in tremendous physical condition” said Wilde “We have said many times before that the medical staff and athletic commission will be required to do their due diligence before he is cleared to fight, and with their approval, Terry and I do not want to stand in his way. This is a fantastic achievement.”

In addition to the fantastic prizefights on the card there will be an amateur portion of the card presented in conjunction with Combsport. It will be the first of its kind in quite some time and the fighters within the unpaid ranks are known to give fight fans their money’s worth.

“They may very well steal the show” said Strawson “They have a point to prove and they are less concerned with losing as they fight so often that there is always the opportunity for redemption right around the corner. I have to thank Dave and Jamie Allison for their endless help and the commissioner Wayne Willows deserves enormous credit too. This promises to be a fantastic night and we are all so proud to bring it to Nanaimo.”

Tickets are available by calling 250-616-1070 with any major credit card.

Priced $20, $60 and ringside seats are priced at $100.

‘Rumble at the Rink’ is presented in association with Trend Diesel, Mazzei Electric and The Wolf 106.9FM with the Old City Station Pub.