This past year Manitoba saw four champions defending, challenging, and re-appearing. Olivia ‘The Predator’ Gerula, Larry ‘Razor’ Sharpe, Junior Moar and Chad ‘Bad Intentions’ Brisson, were all back in action and in the mix of things all over the world. Promoter King John Vernaus brought Championship Boxing back to the Winnipeg Convention Center July 8th and hosted a smaller show at the Gates on Roblin Oct 29th. On the amateur scene Jonathon Quinit is Manitoba’s sole Canadian gold medalist at this year’s Nationals held in Quebec City.
Olivia ‘The Predator’ Gerula, 13-11-2, is coming off a Cinderella story championship run. The 31 year old fighter was winless in five from 1998 to 2001; she successfully defended her WBC female super featherweight title when she defeated Brooke Dierdorff at "Hometown Heroes" in Winnipeg Convention Centre July 8th, 2010. ‘The Predator’ made her second trip overseas to defend her title where she lost to Frida Wallberg in an interesting fight where her bout was fought over eight rounds instead of the championship ten rounds. She was the only pro boxing match on a K-1 card which featured Bob Sapp in Stockholm, Sweden. Gerula had a rematch clause in her contract and will be back in championship action in 2011.
Former WBA Champion Larry ‘Razor’ Sharpe added three more notches to a lengthy 34 bout boxing career fighting in some high profile fights this past year. The 36 year old southpaw’s opponents were Nicholson Poulard in Montreal, Jose Humberto Corral in Winnipeg, and Adam Trupish in Edmonton. During those fights he was 1-2. Most recently he lost in his attempt to win the Canada Super Middleweight Title. Sharpe was not happy with the referee in Edmonton. In Sharpe’s opinion, it was the referee who took him out of his game plan, hurting his chances, as well as the development of undefeated two-time Olympian Adam Trupish. Earlier in the year Sharpe picked up a win in Winnipeg and lost a decision in Montreal. The Pine Falls, Manitoba school teacher and lacrosse coach has not to be scheduled to fight in 2011 possibly capping off an impressive career which featured 25 wins in the United Kingdom and all over the Canada and the US.
Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion Junior Moar defeated Billy Bailey and successfully defended his title in his sixth fight in a row at the River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia earlier in 2010. The 32 year old Moar fought his first fight out of the country November 13th stepping up in world ranked top competition taking on heavy hitting Lafarrell Bunting at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. Moar was winning on all scorecards until he got cut by a head butt. The referee and doctor were going to stop the fight but Moar insisted on continuing despite obscured vision. Bunting who has won all his fights by knockout jumped on the opportunity stopping Moar in the 6th round. Moar told listeners in an insightful Streetz FM radio interview he will look to rebound from his loss, learn from his mistakes and defend his Canadian title which was not on the line south of the border.
Chad ‘Bad Intentions’ Brisson was back in action after a three year layoff. “This year is like no other year to me. If you want my record you’ll have to take it the right way, fight me at my weight, and giving me some legitimate notice. No calling on a week’s notice unless you come with big cash. What you think you’re going to get a 22-2 record on the cheap? You want to take me to the ball, it’s going to cost you, and your fighter still has to win.” Brisson said about his plans in the New Year.
The Manitoba Amateur Boxing Association sent six athletes to the Nationals; Jonathan Quinit is the new Canadian Champion with bronze medals going to Andy Gardiner, Bradley Quinit and Bridget Relquelm. “Jonathan Quinit along with Andrew Gardiner, Brad Quinit, Crystal Brown, Katie Saul and Jessica Gross will be heading to final team selection in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec January 18 -22. As well, Canada Winter Games boxing will begin Sunday February 20 to Friday February 25 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.” Manitoba Amateur boxing president Kent Brown said.
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