Ryan Graham, Observer Reporter
All eyes were on the ring March 25 as 2 Rivers Boxing Club hosted Rumble 22, providing the sold out crowd with entertaining bouts throughout the night.
The event featured 12 matches with 10 local boxers competing. They included Emmett Emblau, Landon Schwartz, Olin Lee, Devin Mooney, Rylan Maurice, Seth West, Lane Paley, Kelly Gerk, James Mott and Kyle Black in the main event.
The first bout of the night saw Cody Darrie of Prince George go up against Eddie Scarfo of Fort St. John in a competitive matchup with Scarfo getting the decision. Both came out swinging looking to get the early advantage in the bout, as they got the crowd going to kick off Rumble 22.
The second round saw much of the same as both landed good combinations and showed good movement in the ring. As the round came to an end Scarfo would connect with a straight right to Darrie, stunning him but would manage to escape the round with the sound of the bell. Knowing he had to get back in the fight Darrie began the third round with a flurry of shots, but it was not enough as Scarfo took the win.
The second match saw an initiation match between Quesnel’s Maurice and West in an entertaining contest. Although giving up a height advantage, West did not let it deter him as he came after Maurice and pushed the pace of the bout in a thrilling contest.
The third match saw Losvany Armenteros of Revelstoke face off against Thomas Pope of Fort St. John in a spirited contest, which saw Armenteros come away with the unanimous decision. Both displayed great skill in the ring as they showed different styles, with Armenteros supplying the power and Pope the speed and agility. Armenteros came out throwing to begin the match as he connected on a number of shots early but it would not discourage Pope, who would weather the early storm, showing great resiliency.
The second would see much of the same but this round Pope would utilize his speed more as he tired Armenteros. Knowing he had to come out strong in the third Pope delivered a number of shots, knocking Armenteros off balance in the opening seconds of the round. After regaining his balance Armenteros would pick up the pace, connecting on a beautiful jab stunning Pope and would keep the pressure on which led to the eventual decision in his favour.
The next contest was an initiation match between 2 Rivers’ Emblau and Schwartz in an entertaining bout. Emblau, although giving up a height advantage displayed his quickness and speed in the ring. Schwartz, who lacked experience in the ring showed he was more than ready for the moment as he landed a number of shots, in a good showing of what 2 Rivers boxers have to offer.
The fifth match saw Nicholus Serker of Prince George and Adam Deline of Williams Lake face off in a competitive match. Both showed their skills in the ring, utilizing great combination punches and movement as they entertained the sold out crowd.
The next contest saw Dakota Plensky of Nanaimo and Ashley Rouble of Fort St. John in an exhibition match. Plensky came out of the gate delivering a flurry of shots to begin the bout but would run out of gas as the match went on, allowing Rouble to get back in the match.
After using a tremendous amount of energy in the early stages, Plensky could not keep up the pace and that’s when Rouble took control. She delivered a number of body shots to Plensky and used her movement to keep her off balanced, as she controlled the pace of the match in an entertaining exhibition.
Paley was next up for 2 Rivers as he went up against Braydon Simms of Fort St. John. Paley would come out firing on all cylinders as he landed a number of shots but Simms would withstand the attack in the early round. The second would see Simms come out the more aggressive of the two as he landed a straight right to Paley’s nose, causing him to bleed. Simms would keep the pressure on as he used a number of punch combinations and his speed and agility to tire Paley out in a competitve bout.
Head coach Wally Doern said coming into the bout he wanted to focus on their game plan and stick with it.
“I wanted Lane to get under his opponents jab and get in close so he could get to the body and then go to the head, which would allow Lane to use his power advantage,” Doern said.
The eighth match saw Kelly Gerk of 2 Rivers face off against Dominic Lintini of Revelstoke in a thrilling bout, which saw Lintini come away with the decision. Although lacking experience in ring as it was Gerk’s first match, he was not shy as he connected on a number of shots in the opening round.
As the second round began you could tell Lintini had adjusted his game plan and Gerk didn’t know how to react to it, as his lack of experience began to show. Even though he did not win the match he showed his future is bright.
“He thought if he did one thing it would be enough but it’s never enough,” Doern said.
“You have to keep going and keep the pressure on. His movement was good but he just didn’t throw enough punches but he’ll learn from it.”
Harley Muvahill and Tyrone Hunlin of Williams Lake faced off in the next contest in an entertaining bout, which saw both utilize great skill as they connected on a number of shots in a showdown of boxers from Williams Lake.
2 Rivers’ James Mott went up against Ryan Routley of Grand Prarie in the next contest, which saw Routley come away with the win. Both connected on a number of shots throughout the bout and utilized good movement in the ring.
Mott used his movement to his advantage in the second round as he avoided Routley’s attempts, keeping him off balance and delivered good body shots but it was not enough as Routley would come out on top.
The next match was an all 2 Rivers affair as Lee went up against Mooney. Lee, who had the experience in the match showed it as he controlled the pace of the bout. Although he only did what was necessary, Lee did run into trouble with Mooney who landed a number of shots as the two entertained the hometown crowd.
“Olin set the pace of the bout and did what was necessary in the match, but Devin surprised Olin a couple times as well,” Doern said.
“I think Devin as he progresses in his boxing will be someone to watch in the future.”
The main event of the night saw Black of 2 Rivers face off against Nick Young of Fort St. John with both displaying good punch combinations, but Young would sustain his attack to take the win.
Black came out firing in the first round with a flurry of shots, taking the attack to Young. After weathering the early storm, Young would apply the pressure on Black using a great jab and straight punch, keeping him off balance for the rest of the fight.
As the third round began you could tell Black had nothing left in the tank and Young took advantage of that, scoring big as he kept the pressure on and took the eventual decision. Although, they didn’t win the match Doern was proud how Black performed.
“I thought we took at least one round but in the final round Kyle just didn’t have the gas,” Doern said.
“The other guy is really good but I know Kyle is capable of beating him. By the time we got to the third round Kyle just ran out of gas and was just fighting on heart.”
Doern said overall the event was great and the club also got to integrate some of their younger boxers into the Rumble.
“It went well and we had a lot of participants and also introduced a batch our young kids to a Rumble experience,” Doern said.
“If these younger kids are able to come to our practices and train they are good enough to get in the ring. An event like this will help them grow and they are so proud of themselves.”
Although, 2 Rivers didn’t come out on top on the decisions it was a good night for the club.
“Unfortunately we didn’t come out on the decisions but we did the best we could tonight and that’s all that counts,” Doern said.
“I see room for improvement and those are the things we will work on for next time.”
2 Rivers put on another incredible show for boxing fans March 25 in Quesnel, showcasing some of the top boxers from around the province. They also had the opportunity to integrate some younger boxers into the event, which will only help them as they grow and master their skills in the ring.