The Sweet Science Returns To Vancouver

It turns out I like boxing. I'm as surprised as anyone. For my first 32 years I was never a fan. Movies sold me on kickboxing and kung fu when I was a kid and then I fell victim to a sort of "grappler's superiority complex" when I started training in judo at U of T. This was during the early days of the UFC when groundfighter extraordinaire Royce Gracie was dispatching all comers. I think all of our heads swelled a bit back then. But things change. Shift a few years and a few thousand kilometers and I'm in Vancouver training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Dynamic MMA, where there just happens to also be a highly qualified kickboxing instructor. So of course I'm going to try out a few classes. And now here I am. Hooked. What can I say? I got cold cocked.

My timing couldn't be better though, because in the words of local promoter Karen Howard of Double Jab Promotions, "Vancouver is experiencing a boxing renaissance". Earlier this year, River Rock Casino teamed up with Manny Sobral to put together Vancouver's first city-sanctioned pro boxing card since 2001. And now Double Jab is doing their part to support the scene by putting on another event. Thursday at the Croatian Cultural Centre, Vancouver fight fans are going to be treated to an action packed card featuring Commonwealth gold medalist and Olympian A.J. Bone alongside his brother Albert "The Punisher" Onolunose, his cousin Julius "Bazuka" Odion, former Canadian champion Mark "The Machine Gun" Woolnough, and Vancouver local favourites Andy Mavros and Paul Tryl.

This week I had a chance to speak to Gillian Armstrong and Karen Howard, two of the event's promoters, and get their report on the state of boxing in Vancouver. We also talked briefly about what attracted them to boxing, the rising popularity of mixed martial arts, and the seemingly unusual fact that two of the three event promoters in a traditionally male-dominated field are women.

How long have you been involved in boxing promotion?
Karen: For about 20 years as a fan and a volunteer within the amateur arm of the sport. I have served on amateur boxing provincial governing bodies in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. My husband has been involved for over four decades, so my involvement is an extension of his commitment. My husband and I started Double Jab Promotions earlier this year.

Gillian: Kevin and Karen approached me in the spring to work with them on their first promotion. I attended Roy Englebrecht's Fight Promoter University course in Irvine, Ca in February 2006. I have written for Fight News Canada (the website) and now write about Canadian boxing for The Fight Network. My background is in the film business in an administrative/organizational capacity so this was a natural jump. Boxing is just show business with blood after all. I think it was the famous British promoter Frank Bruno who said that.

What is the current state of boxing in Vancouver (popularity, number of participants, etc.)
Karen: I believe that Vancouver is experiencing a Boxing renaissance. The River Rock casino has been actively hosting both amateur and professional shows. Boxing has always enjoyed a core following of passionate supporters and any live boxing event will raise the sport's profile.

Gillian: Professional boxing, particularly the staging of professional fights, has changed significantly over the past year or so. When the River Rock casino worked with local promoter Manny Sobral to put on a show in July, it was the City of Vancouver's first sanctioned professional boxing card since 2001. Now Double Jab is breaking into the Vancouver market. It's amazing how the scene has turned around in a year's time. There are more shows planned.
We have local fighters like AJ Bone, Andy Mavros, and Mark Woolnough who want to fight and don't want to go to the States. We need to provide an outlet for them to build their records and fan bases. AJ Bone has something like 200 people coming to see him on Thursday, that's how popular he is in the Nigerian-Canadian community. These guys can fight. And they can put on a show that people will want to see again and again.
Boxing in Canada in general is exploding in popularity. The market is definitely here. There's a passionate fan base who have been starved for good fights for a long time. Boxing gyms, as far as I understand, are still pretty full and there are plenty of amateur cards, tournaments, and benefits every year.

Boxing being such a male-dominated sport, it seems unusual that two out of three promoters for this event are women (insert bad joke about that Meg Ryan movie). Have you found gender to be an issue when doing these events?
Karen: The advent of females in this sport has only served to widen the appeal. I don't believe that gender is an issue. In boxing promotion we all have our strengths and are comfortable with our different aspects of knowledge of the sport as well as the business. The bottom line is giving local talent an opportunity to entertain the fans.

Gillian: It is a bit of an issue. Some men think that you are only in it to meet good-looking fighters. Some won't listen to you because they don't think a woman can know anything about boxing. But then you start talking and hopefully illustrate that, in fact, you know a hell of a lot more than they do. Which is usually true. I met Jackie Kallen in California, and she told me "don't ever try to be one of the guys". Good advice I think.

Mixed martial arts events have been quickly gaining popularity over the last decade and Vancouver city council recently decided not to sanction those events. What is your opinion on mixed martial arts and the City's decision?
Karen: The popularity of mixed martial arts is very interesting. My experience is solely with boxing and I am pleased that Vancouver intends to continue sanctioning professional boxing. I do not support any prize fighting operating in an unsanctioned manner. Way too risky for the fighters. I can't comment on the City's decision other than to say that mixed martial arts events are not the same as boxing.

Gillian: It's a joke that they tabled this issue when the civic strike is nearing its third month and garbage is lining the streets. MMA is a moneymaking sport, the newest fad, and for them to cut MMA promoters off is ludicrous. Major promoters like Bodog have already gone the non-sanctioned route, for whatever reason. If the City of Vancouver is truly concerned with fighter safety, why are they driving them underground? MMA is nowhere near as dangerous as boxing, so the liability issue has to do with the perception of the sport, not the reality. I am not an MMA fan, but I support the local promoters who are trying to do it by the rules. The Vancouver Athletic Commission does have a point though... combat sports should be regulated by a provincial commission. The VAC are not equipped to deal with the recent onslaught of MMA and boxing shows. They need more staff, more support, and more knowledge to make these events work. The Province needs to step in. That being said, I want MMA fans to give boxing a chance. Come to the show and see that it is just as entertaining (if not more so) than an MMA event.

Who are your favourite boxers to watch?
Karen: The local fighters lined up for our upcoming card! I also enjoy watching Ricky Hatton from Manchester, England, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. and am looking forward to their fight coming up in Las Vegas in December.

Gillian: In Canada... Lucian Bute, Adrian Diaconu, Hermann Ngoudjo, Sebastien Gauthier, Albert Onolunose, Mark Woolnough, Shane Andreesen and of course, AJ Bone. All of these guys have pure star quality and will one day be world champions. Mark Woolnough was the Canadian super middleweight champion and the Alberts brothers (AJ Bone and Onolunose) were national heroes in their home country of Nigeria. Especially AJ, who won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Their brother Albert Eremosele is also a professional fighter, as is their cousin Julius Odion, who is on Thursday's card.
My favourite boxer is Marco Antonio Barrera, one of the best Mexican fighters around. His fight with Manny Pacquiao on October 6 is going to be a doozy. Pacquiao is amazing because he has an entire country behind him. You haven't lived until you've watched a Pacquiao fight in a room full of Filipinos.

Many people consider boxing (and other combat sports) to be savage bloodsports, how do you respond to that?
Karen: My response to that uninformed assertion is that I have a great deal of respect and admiration for any individual (male or female) who has the dedication and the self-confidence to get into the ring. Boxing isn't for everyone, but I know that it is a positive thing for many people. It's all about heart, talent, sound training, and sportsmanship. You'll never convince everyone of its virtues and that's OK.

Gillian: As opposed to football or hockey? Give me a break. I understand why people wouldn't like boxing, but don't pretend that mainstream sports aren't just as dangerous. You either love it or you hate it it seems, especially women. And especially in Vancouver, the centre of the politically correct movement. Boxing is the opposite of golf. Raw, real, painful, tough, brave. Everything in this world is getting super sanitized these days. Boxing refuses to be. People don't understand the psychological side of the sport and the discipline, commitment, respect, and honour that these athletes have. Boxing is an ancient sport with a long bloodline (pardon the pun). It is a pure sport. Two men in the ring. That's it. Nowhere to go. There is nothing like the excitement of an incredible fight. Nothing. We will always have boxing.

Do you box? If so... how long have you been doing it? What drew you to it? Where do you train? What's your go-to combination? Etc....
Karen: I've never boxed. I've learned what I know vicariously, mostly through watching my husband train boxers over the years. I know that once the "manly art of self defence" gets into your blood, it's not leaving. I have a passion for boxing because I've seen the good it does for a person. I am fascinated by the pugilist's psyche.

Gillian: No. I never have.

The event takes place on Thursday, September 27th at 7:30pm at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive).
Ringside seats are $75
General admission is $50
For tickets call: 604-988-3684 or 604-908-4455.

Photo courtesy of arriba.