Ice Warriors Pre-Tournament Interview

1. What can the Ice Warriors fans expect to see from you, what are your strengths in on-ice combat?
A. That I'm coming to win. I'm a well rounded fighter with knockout power.
2. Do you have any scores to settle with any of the fighters who will be present? A. No, I won't turn down any fights in this tournament, and after I win it, I won't turn down my sleeves in the bar either.
3. Any fighters in hockey or other combat sports you look up to? A. Gino Odjick, Muhammad Ali,and Jean Claude Van Damme.
4. Please say a word for the fans and the media, something to get them going and gain interest in you? A. I been fighting since the 90's. I'll show you Europeans fans a real "Indian" warrior.

Indian hockey and fight news

As teams in the minors leagues are starting thier seasons this weekend, some native players are on the rosters.
Ryan Constant (OCN) is playing for Stockton Thunder, in the ECHL. He attended AHL training camp in Springfield and fought twice, Stockton had thier home opener last night and Constant got into a fight. Cory Courchene (Sagkeeng)is playing for New Mexico Scorpions in the Central League. Chris Coud (Wayway) has 2 goals and one fight with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL. Wacey Rabbit (Blood Tribe) has 1 goal in 4 games with Providence Bruins in the AHL.

First Nation Fighters fighting this weekend include former WBC Youth World Champion Arthur Cook(Peguis), Cook is coming off a loss to 31-0 Malik Scott in Reno Nevada and is looking to get back to winning ways.
Current Champion Larry "Razor" Sharp (Sagkeeng), defends his title in the main event. James Wayka(Wisconsin Ojibway) is relocated to Winnipeg for his boxing career and is fighting in 140 pound action.
Die Hard John Mclean(Fairford) will also be taking and giving punches for your entertainment,

On the World scene, Micheal Bisbing defeated Chris Leben, and Keith Jardine defeated Brandon Vera,
The executioner , Bernard Hopkins, gave a lesson to undefeated current world middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik

UPCOMING FIGHTS / chris fontaine, canadas number 1 ranked middleweight, fights on cbs in moncton october 4th(www.subfighter.ca) / codey hanna, arthur cook, larry sharp are all fighting on oct 24th ant the convention center, wpg. / josh mcpherson has a pro mma date oct 18th in williston north dakota / jon mirasty was assigned to syracuse crunch in the ahl, made his NHL debut with the columbus blue jackets vs minnesota wild, more hockey next post / upcoming amatuer fights, oct 11th and oct 18th, amatuer mma nov 1st.

HISTORY POEM

In 1906 Duncan Scott was an Indian affairs Administrator and Native poet.
He was canoeing around Canada making rules to better ‘Indian’ life, but all he really wanted from the ‘savages’ in his boat was for them to row it.

It helped shape the current state of affairs as we know it.

Sitting with his painter and critic by the fire and lake.
Making plans for the "savages" and the road for their future they will take.
Although to educated readers today, he was just an ignorant cupcake.
When Duncan Scott came over to settle he already had a formed preconception.

He forgot his ancestors were only here because they lost their direction.
When they got here with scurvy and were ill prepared, they needed our protection,
all this early European Historians forgot to mention.

It’s taught in today’s “Images of North American Indians”, Native Studies section.
Because when settlers jumped the big pond like Kanevil.
The things they did to a whole continent of people were evil.
They tried to force ways upon people and make them live civil.
But the things they did would someday make the rest of the world's head swivel.
Our traditions were oral.
When settlers came, food, clothing, tools, and shelter they all had to borrow.
Soon after they would force upon us their moral.
So in their eyes we can have a better tomorrow.
But all it brought this continent's people was sorrow.
When settlers arrived they forgot to mention that killing, stealing, kidnapping, spreading disease, sexual, and mental abuse just suddenly got legalized.
Roman Catholic values were also imported.

I think you might have heard how that turned out, what the priests taught our children, took a long time to get reported.
They put ‘Indians’ into a colony called File Hills,

where they forced them to learn new skills.
But the ways and lessons forced upon them gave the generations to come the chills.
It left more damage than a thousand oil spills.
But the government didn’t care, just let those "Indians" work the field with the tills.
Indian agents stealing to make sure they can die someday with money in their wills.
They expected the ‘Indians’ to just swallow everything down like some good ole government prescription pills.

After contact, over 90% of North America's Native population died.

For centuries the government lied, ethical and human rights denied.

Resist the change? Some tried, but all that survived were still traumatized.
From the neck up, paralyzed, minds colonized.
So this is the result of the Canadian government's hard work to get Native people civilized.

Thunder Voice Sports and Arts

You might remember me from such films as Battle of the Hockey Enforcers(2005), Wab Kinew's 'Last Word' music video, and youtube fight clips, I'm your ex pro hockey fighter, Thundervoice sports and arts writer.

"Battle of the Native Americans" Headliner on ESPN 2 Friday Night FightsTwo of the best cruiserweights in the world faced each other July 10 as a headliner on ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights. Matt Godfrey (19-1, 10 KOs), rated No. 6 by the WBC and No. 7 by the IBF, successfully defended his NABF and SNBC cruiserweight titles defeating Shawn Hawk(18-1-1, 16 KOs) on points in a ten round fight . It was said that this episode of ESPN Friday Fight Nights will be a dangerous fight for Godfrey, because his opponent is unbeaten in 18 fights with 16 Knock Outs.
Matt "Too Smooth" Godfrey is listed as a full blooded Wampanoag and Shawn "The Soiux Warrior" Hawk, is a professional boxer from Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota,The poorest reserve in the nation. Hawk, 25, also trains out of Minot North Dakota where he is currently going to school as well and was a sparring partner for Peguis Heavyweight Arthur Cook where I also got to meet him and get a few rounds of sparring in. Shawn is also managed by his father Ray Hawk who is the director of Native American Warriors pro boxing / pro mma network. The mission of the network is to provide Native American atheletes every oppurtunity to achieve personal and professional success in the sports of boxing and /or mixed martial arts (MMA).For more information visit this website, www.nativeamericanwarriors.net
Bridgette Tenbears fought at Prairie Knights Casino in Fort Yates North Dakota defeated Adriane Two Hearts to improve her record to 3-0 with 2 kos. This 19 year old female light heavyweight boxer from Newtown, North Dakota is also ranked 5th in the world in the by the WIBA ranking and will be a fighter to keep an eye on in the future. Local Winnipeg fighter Tim Watts has been on a comeback trail of his own. He boxed as a youngster into his early twenties until an bad accident and multiple injuries ended his days as a fighter. Years later Tim has not only rehabilitated his body, he has also gotten himself into fighting shape in his mid 30's. It was then that he approached King John Vernaus to get him a pro fight to achieve his lifelong goal of being a pro fighter. Tim has not had an easy transition into the pro ranks and has been in there with the best the super bantamweight division has to offer. With a record 0-4 Tim is hunting for his first win this September 26th as he faces Derek Winston who will be making his pro debut at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Peguis Treaty Days was another week long success, this year Vernon and Arthur Cook organized a toughman competition that had several locals and one member of the RCMP come out to compete. Vincent Sutherland had all the fans behind him when he took on another local David Allen in an enertaining bout, but the only womens fight provided the most action and cheers. Rocky Zuniga had a long night fighting twice before he faced champion Garrett Mcpherson in the lightheavyweight final that went to another round for the decision and crowd's entertainment in the final fight of the night. Your favorite sports writer (me), lost a decision to heavyweight division winner Melvin Prince, but I smelt a little bit of hometown cooking there. All in all the event was a good show raising alot of money for a new boxing club that will be available soon to train some future champs.
Behring Ju Jitsu manitoba representive Garry Sawatzky and Christine Barry organized a grappling tournemnet and ju jitsu demonstation during the treaty days as well. It was a event that also brought out many locals to test out thier skills with several competitiors also coming out from Winnipeg. Local UCW prize fighter Dwight Sutherland won gold in the lightweight division in an entertaining match against GoJo's Reza Mesollat. Reza finished his high school wrestling career ranked third in the country but was defeated by and armbar that Dwight pulled off from his back similair to his last two wins at the convention center. 16 year old Jamal Richard brought home the gold for GoJo winning by triangle choke against a much older and stronger opponent who did some wrestling at the University of Manioba. To top my weekend off i got tapped out in the grappling tournement, ju jitsu blue belt Dylan Dufort won the heavyweight division. Wab Kinew also competed in the Grappler's Quest at the UFC fan expo down in Las Vegas when he went to watch UFC 100. In the no-gi cruiserweight division, 180 to 189 pounds wab placed forth.

Players Wins Gold at Canadian Ball Hockey Championships
A team from Winnipeg won the Western Canadian Ball Hockey championships out in Edmonton Alberta, the tournement took place july 30th to august 2nd. Players pool hall was the sponsor for the first team from Manitoba to win gold in the tournement. Players played five games total and bounced back strong after a slow start. Players played CTO from Winnipeg in the semi final. In the final the team played Surrey who defeated them in the first game 4-2 in round robin but it was a different story in the final as Scott Cameron shut the door for a 4-0 win. Cameron aslo took home the MVP award. The team consisted of Players pol hall regulars, brothers Bobby and Jamie Muswagon, Marty Shorting, Wayne Manyshots, Junior Desarles, Jeff Desarles, Carl Monkman, Josh Tymchuk and Brad Cockerill. Four other Manitoba teams also competed.
Stan Drulia, head coach and general manager of the Port Huron Icehawks, announced that the team has re-signed veteran defenseman and former OCN blizzard stand out Daniel Tetrault for the 2009-10 season. Tetrault (6-0, 205 lbs) will enter his second campaign in Port Huron and tenth season as a professional. Last season, he quickly established himself as one of the top defensemen in the league with a +21 rating and 37 points (8g, 29a) in 70 games, which tied him for the team lead in points among blue-liners. Of his points, four goals and 15 assists came on the power play.
Judd Black Water,Kainai from the Blood Tribe in Alberta and Mike Lalonde,Cree from Chetwynn, BC, were both offered qualifying offers by the Stockton Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the Springfield Falcons and Edmonton Oilers. Blackwater, 22, scored 22 points (7g-15a) and tallied 48 penalty minutes in 49 games during his rookie season with the Thunder and Fresno Falcons, adding 21 games in two separate call-ups to the AHL with Rockford and Rochester where he scored five points (4g-1a) and posted 18 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 193-pound notched eight assists in 10 Kelly Cup Playoff games this year for the Thunder.Lalonde, 28, is the Thunder all-time leader in points (156) and goals (72), suiting up in 182 career games throughout three seasons (2005-07, 2008-09) in Stockton while posting 81 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound forward was an ECHL All-Star in 2005-06 for the National Conference and scored 51 points (20g-31a) while posting 16 PIM's in 62 games last season.
Former coach of the year and New York Islanders head coach Ted Nolan is now the vice president of the Rochestor Americans in the American Hockey League, It was rumored Jordin Tootoo was almost dealt to the Edmonton Oilers and will be an unrestricted free agent next season. Robin Bigsnake, Siksika Alberta, signs with Muskegon Fury in the IHL, Norway House's Rick Kozak is planning to return to the Laredo Bucks in the CHL, Waywayseecappo's Chris Cloud has signed a contract with the Trenton Titans in the ECHL.
First Star sports Management run by Jeff Edwards, has been helping get undrafted hockey players tryouts and contracts for 5 years. Edwards is a chartered accountant with a bachelor of commerce from the University of Manitoba and currently represents 20 players in various leagues. Dan Leslie from Portage la Prairie recently signed with the Ontario Riegh in the ECHL after slugging it out in the SPHL for a couple years. Marlon Joseph also signed with Huntville Havoc in Alabama. Three other players also signed with the Tulsa Oilers in the CHL and one more overseas in Holland, Jeff has also helped out alot of native players in his years as an agent including myself. Under jeff's representation I was trying out for teams in the ECHL, IHL, and enjoying making the most money of my career in the LNAH (quebec semi pro) but more importantly when I had numerous hand injuries, Jeff stayed on top of the team lawyer's and insurance companies to get me my compensation cheques, which can take forever in the minor leagues. visit the website at www.firststarsports.ca or call 228 8501 for more info.
In other hockey news Gabriel Daniels from Winnipeg plays the character of the legendary Stan Jonathon in the new made for tv CBC movie, 'The Don Cherry Story', Iasked Gabriel how he got the role, he said "basically how I got the role I went to an audition that took place at a arena in town. There were a ton of hockey players that came out. the producers and the director were on the bench as well as the first assistant director, who I know. After that we proceeded with the audition which was basically all of us on the ice doing some basic drills. Weeks went by with no word then I finally found out that I got the part, which I was very happy about. I do not have any lines in the film but my character is well featured and it was an honour to play the Stan Jonathan." The Don Cherry Story is expected to be aired on CBC during the 2010 NHL play offs.

Near death experince on Bloodvien River, TWCC has good weekend at River City Dragon Boat Festival. Speak of the untamed  Bloodvein River to seasoned canoeists and it raises thier spirits just thinking about the 300-kilometre Canadian Heritage River that snakes through spectacular Canadian Shield rock and boreal forest. Canoeing through the Bloodvein is like paddling through Canadian history. The rivers on the east side of Lake Winnipeg are widely considered the best white water canoeing in the world.You may even observe the faded remnants of native rock paintings from centuries past, when the Bloodvein was a First Nations trade route.
During a trip to Bloodvien First Nation to see my babe, I ran across some canoeing enthusists who arrived a day early and were in need of a ride back to the big city, they told me stories of their trip that sounded like the best kept secret in Manitoba. Jake Saurette from Winnipeg told me " we started at Onnie Lake Ontario, 25km out of Red Lake. The trip took 17 days, we had 6 people in 3 canoes. We all started out from Winnipeg and it was a six hour drive to the starting point, the rivers were very high, and that changed the landscape and rapids, the rapids ranged from swifts to class 5's. We spent five days on the Gammon river and seven on the Bloodvien. We came down through Woodland Caribou Park and went through several different lakes, "Aikins lake was a beautiful area, perfectly round lake like it was crator made". Jake and her partner also had a near death experience at Carlson Falls. "Coming off a portage, it was difficult putting in because the back current was pulling us quite strongly towards the bottom of the falls. The volume of water was very high, the water below the falls was flowing to a rockwall. I attemted move my canoe to the otherside of the water, away from the rockwall but got pushed directly into the wall, where i tipped over, I was submerged for a longtime, I came to the surface the canoe and rockwall, which could have been deadly".
In other boating news, Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corporation (TWCC), had a good showing at the River City Dragon Boat festival. The origins of dragon boat racing can be traced to events in southern China over 2000 years ago,.Dragon Boat Racing evolved from the original "Waking the Dragon" rituals celebrated by many Asian cultures. Traditionally celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, the first races were meant to awaken the hibernating dragon. The people needed to appease the spirit of the dragon, to avoid bad luck and to get the rains they needed to ensure a good crop for the year. In Winnipeg though, there were only beer gardens and good times. TWCC, which provides financial resources to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and businesses in Manitoba, put together a strong team that had a good showing in the first heat finishing second Friday night and looked like contenders for the rest of the weekend amongst the 50 to 60 teams, but Saturday morning came bright and early and some team memebers were rumored to be celebrating the big win late into the night. Despite some members missing Saturday, TWCC got two first place wins Saturday with times of 2 minutes and 33seconds each to ensure a shot at first place Sunday morning. In the final heat, TWCC placed third and finished 12th overall.
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ARTSArt is a form of communication and a voice to express the spirit and vision of First Nations people. Elders teach us that a person who has a vision or dream to share with all people to make that dream real and alive. Aboriginal day (june 21 ) is the beginning of the summer soltice and has always been a new season for plant and animal life.
An Aboriginal artist showcase was held at Mcphillips Street Station june 18 and 19. Edna Nabess is the founder and designer of Cree-ations. Cree-ations offers modern Native apparel. There is also much art work is also available at their store in located in Garden City Shopping Center. I was also asked to make my modeling debut and sport some chief and council clothes.
Native Model Studio Canada was also doing their own show at the Forks Canada Day. NMS was founded in 1994 by Larry Prince and Brandi Jade in Farmington New Mexico, Canada president Lisa Muswagon and vice president Amberae Wood have been providing workshops, model auditions/search, and fashion shows to showcase young aspiring talent and networks with other artists such as photography.Other artists showcased at McPhillips were Jasyn Lucas, who also did some modelling for Edna, Jason attended the Studio Art Program at Capilano College and studied different applications such as printmaking, drawing sculpture and painting, as well as art history. To see Jasyn's art go to his website at www.jasynlucas.ca. Jacques St. Goddard also was promoting his book of peotry titled accordindly, "Tales of the Everyday", available along with much more art at the Canadian Plains Gallery at the Aboriginal Center, 181 Higgins. For all you sports teams, or athletes with custom outfits in mind, contact Iris Lauzon Designs at 204 586 2234 , and for all you powwow dancers with special or custom orders, particularly breast plates, contact Rich Desarles at 204 779 6341       There's also a new mural man in town,John Stepplar was in town recently painting the town red, white and blue and (blue light haha). John is a talented and self taught artist who is pursuing a Fine Arts Degree at the University of Brandon . John has had some art showcased in 5th parallel gallery and has a painting featured on the cover of the "Canadian Journal of Native Studies". He was in Winnipeg recently to paint the new mural at the GoJo Gym titled "Box like heaven,fight like hell". John would like to spend time this summer painting more murals and can be contacted at johnsteppler@hotmail.com
Wab Kinew, host of the 204 on CBC radio is a Winnipeg rapper who also has a university degree, and cd available called "Live by the Drum", had his music video release party for his single "Last Word" which featured Tinsel Corey July 19th at the Pyramid Caberet. I was happy to be a part of the video fight scene representing the fight that goes on amongst our people these days, the video touches on topics such as the temptations of women, the struggle with drugs, and ultimately, the journey to the spirit world. Video comes out July 14th and can also be viewed on youtube after that date.
Another talented winnipeg rapper is Heatbag artist 23 year old Charlie Fettah who will have a cd released in september called "speak no evil". T shirts are available at Hood Hoprz on Main and Mcray. To hear a sample of the music that will be on the cd, youtube "if i can do it again" by Charlie Fettah. Brooklynn mind of a heatbag is also a good cd available at Hood Hoprz.
Joey Stylez from Moosemin First Nation in Saskatchewan was a headliner at the Forks June 21 which was live on aptn, he performed his hit song "Sugar Cane" which has almost a million youtube hits . He has a new cd coming out soon as well so watch for it in stores.

GoJo Gym News

The Shah Franco / Sylvio Behring Jiu Jitsu Alliance is coming together nicely at GoJo Gym. It was the second visit to GoJo Gym for 7th degree Master Sylvio Behring to do belt upgrading, testing, and a Judo seminar. The last time Master Sylvio was in town was May 8th and 9th. Manitoba Behring Jui Jitsu instructor Garry Sawatzky received four stripes to his brown belt, which means his next test will be for his black belt. Ryan Brick and Christine Barry both received one stripe to their purple belts. Eric Cote, and Kevin Klassen both got their blue belts. In white belt testing, Steve Skok and Danny Cameron both received four stripes to and will be test for their blue belts next test. Reza Mosallat received three stripes, Jesse Larabie, Jason Russell, Sebastian Jagnyziak, and myself all received two stripes to our belts. Jamal Richard, Wongel Chutta, and Jordan Birell all received one stripe. Champion amateur boxer Jonathon Courchene has his Gui and is now rolling with GoJo’s Behring Ju Jitsu progressive system.
Adail Oliveira also recieved his blue belt as well and is a close friend of Master Sylvio from their days back in Brazil. Adail and Garry are responsible for bringing the Jui Jitsu alliance and progressive system back to Winnipeg. Master Sylvio is also the Jui Jitsu coach for UFC middleweight champion Anderson 'The Spider' Silva.

CJ Hart, 195pds and Steve Skok, 210pds will be making their boxing debut’s out in Regina early December. Jamal ‘The Jaugernaut’ Richard will be boxing on the card as well. Jamal and his high school football team the grant park pirates went 8-2 this season but lost to the St. Paul crusaders in the final game at the Bomber stadium 32-2. It was a tough loss as the Pirates defeated the Crusaders earlier in the season.

Boneyard Sports

I would like to congratulate Keeseekoowenin's Tracy bone for picking up the “Best Songwriter” award at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award's. Also tune in Wednesdays to streetz fm 104.7 radio station. Baxter, Jules, and i will be bringing you the sports news from across the nation.
Hockey
In the NHL, Philidelphia's Aaron Asham has three goals, two assists for five points and twenty five penalty minutes in fourteen games. Some Native stars are off to a slow start though. Montreal's Carey Price seems to have lost his starting position in Montreal. Former NHL goal scoring leader Jonathon Cheechoo has only one goal and two assists in eighteen games with the Ottawa Senators. Jordan Tootoo is back in the Predator's line up after injuring his hip flexor in an exhibition game. He has two points in six games. In the minor pro's, Colt King has fourteen points in twelve games for the Rapid City rush in the CHL. Judd Blackwater has ten points in ten games with the Stockton Thunder in the ECHL. Wayway’s Chris Cloud has five points in six games along with twenty seven penalty minutes with the Amarillo Gorillas. Winnipeg’s Lance Monych has nine points in eleven games with the Laredo Bucks, CHL. OCN’s Ryan Constant has four points and twenty seven minutes in fourteen games with the Stockton Thunder,ECHL. Don Melnyck has seven points in nine games with the Knoxville Icebears in the SPHL. In college hockey, neumann college knights marlon gardner has five goals and one assist in six games. Harley garrioch has no points but is guarding the fort on defense. Neumann college has a team record of 2-2-2. Junior Hockey report next month.

In the bush leagues, The Fisher River Terriers are middle of the pack sporting an even 3-3 record. The Sagkeeng Braves are struggling in last place with a 0-6 record in the Manitoba East Senior Hockey League. Fisher River’s Merv Garson leads the MEHL with ten goals and seven assists. Fisher River's Jamie Mousseau is seventh in league scoring with eleven points, Sagkeeng’s Corey Courchene is tied for eighth place with fFsher River’s Mike Spence, both have ten points.
The Sagkeeng Braves do have six players in the hunt for most penalty minutes with six players in the top ten. These minutes stem from a line brawl with Lac De Bonnet, the league website says this about me. ”Jason Bone, Sagkeeng Braves - 1 game for receiving second instigator penalty and a minimum 5 game suspension for receiving a match penalty. The MEHL Executive will determine the actual length. It was assessed for punching an unsuspecting Lac du Bonnet player”.

GOJO GYM NEWS

UCW promoter Tony Condella held the St. Paddy’s Day Punch Up card at the Marlborough Hotel November 26th. It was a very well put together evening of international amateur boxing, both in venue and calibre of fights. Seven fighters from Ireland took on seven fighters from here in Manitoba. Most fighters were champions in their divisions, provinces, and even their countries. At the end of the night, Manitoba won four out seven international bouts.Condella said to expect more boxing events in 2010.

A battle between two Winnipeg fighters turned out to be one of the best fights of the night. Metis fighter, Reece "The Beast" Settee, out of GoJo Gym, took on provincial champ and bronze medalist and the Canadian Championships, Ryan Walkowski, Cresentwood Boxing Club. After a back and forth battle over three three-minute rounds, the more experienced Walkowski picked up the decision win. Reece’s coach, Ken Johnson, said, “This was good first open bout for Reece against a quality opponent, it was a measuring stick for Reece to see where he’s at as a boxer.”

Manigitogan’s Alex Simard picked up a win over Ireland’s Darren Cook. Simard busted up his opponent, who was much taller. Provincial champ Colton Easter of Brandon took on 3x all-Ireland champ Daryl Byrne but came up short on the scorecards. Provincial champ and silver medalist at the Ringside World Championships, Mathew Bonne defeated Lienstar county champ Kenny Byrne. In womens action, all Ireland champ Fhanice Byrne defeated provincial champ and bronze medalist at the Canadian Championships, Melissa Susan.Provincial champion Jon Quint defeated 2nd ranked in Ireland Martin McAnne.

In the co-main event, 5x provincial champ and Canadian Champion Hanz Hasler lost a fight to 4th-ranked fighter in Europe, Ross Hicky. Hicky was the taller fighter, and throughout the fight, Hasler would try to fight his way inside to negate this height disadvantage, while his opponent tried to keep him on the outside. This was a bloody fight with a lot of power punches thrown. In the end Hicky walked away with the win.

In the main event, Andrew Gardiner, who recently won a gold medal at the La Copa Romane Tournament in the Dominican Republic, took on Dennis Hogan, a veteran of over 100 fights. Gardiner looked to be the stronger of the two early on, showing good defense and throwing body punches; Gardiner had his opponent in trouble early in the first round. Hogan would survive the round and had his moments during the fast paced fight, but Gardiner pressed forward through rounds two and three, picking shots, and backing up his opponent up all night, earning a decision win in an exciting fight. I asked Gardiner what’s next and he said, “I have nationals in a couple weeks so hopefully I’ll win my division again and be on the national team again.”

On a pro boxing card labeled “Redemption” November 13th at the Shaw Centre in Edmonton, Metis veteran pro boxer Darren Kenny, jumped back into the ring after five years to take on Anthony “Hits Hard” Lessard of Edmonton. Lessard was fresh off a title fight loss and was looking to avenge a loss to Kenny back when Lessard made his pro debut. Through rounds one to three, Kenny used his jab and kept moving. In round four, it was much of the same, but in the closing seconds of the round, Lessard caught Kenny with a hard right hand that put him to the canvas. Kenny beat the count and got back to his feet and corner. A little ice and water and Kenny was back to fighting his game plan in the 5th. Kenny was moving, making Lessard miss as he went for the homerun punch. Lessard was showboating and talking to the crowd, but the crowd cheered as Kenny showboated back and did the Ali shuffle. Some punches to the back of the head were thrown between the two as well. In the 6th round, Coach Joe Soares encouraged Kenny to try get a knockout and finish the fight well. One judge scored it close and it would have gone to a split decision if it weren’t for the 10-8 round in the forth. Lessard walked away with the victory.

Three Manitoba pro fighters are out there doing big things on the world stage. In pro boxing action, Larry “Razor” Sharpe, Pine Falls, knocked out hometown hero Zach Walters in the first round in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Since moving up from the junior middleweight division and struggling after make the 154 lbs limit. Larry has indeed been "razor" sharp in the 168 lbs super middleweight division scoring two first round knockouts in back to back fights. Larry has put himself back into the championship picture after losing back to back championship fights at 154lbs. Over the big pond in Paris, France, Winnipeg’s Olivia “The Predator” Gerula defended her WBC super featherweight championship with a win over challenger Myriam Chomaz. It was her first title defense. Winnipeg's “Dangerous” Dave Zuniga has grown up dominating the North American Muay Thai fight scene year after year. Zuniga has been living and training at the legendary Kiatphontip gym located on the outskirts of Bangkok since October 2009. So far Zuniga has racked up 2 victories at the prestigase Fairtex Stadium in Pattaya Thailand. As Zuniga continues his fighting quest to the top, he will be squaring off in Bangkok's famous Rajadamern Stadium against world class opposition. He will be in Thailand until May.

The Clifton Boxing Club has relocated to Brookland School located at 1950 Pacific west, where Dwight Chessie will be providing free boxing lessons to boys and girls 8 years old and up. Clifton Boxing Club is a registered affiliate of Manitoba Amateur Boxing Association, everybody is welcome. Contact Dwight Chessie at 633 3103 for more information