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Young boxers want more after first taste of the ring

“Don’t put that in the paper,” says Revelstoke Boxing Club coach and manager Sam LeRose, voicing his instant second thoughts about his answer to my question about how he got started in boxing.
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L–R: Conner Null

“Don’t put that in the paper,” says Revelstoke Boxing Club coach and manager Sam LeRose, voicing his instant second thoughts about his answer to my question about how he got started in boxing.

The affable mentor and committed volunteer spends at least three evenings a week training young boxers in the gym at the decommissioned Big Eddy school. He comes across as a warm, caring guy. But the forearm tattoo, Rocky poster on the wall, and the punching dummy held together with duct tape convince me to acquiesce to his request and leave his quote out – even if it was quite the zinger.

And we’re not there to talk about him; LeRose invited me to the Wednesday evening practise to highlight the accomplishments of two young boxers, who brought home gold and silver at their first fights, held at Edmonton’s Yellowhead Inn on Jan. 8–9.

17-year-old Mitchell DeMone won his first match by unanimous decision against an opponent from Edmonton’s Southside Boxing Club.

The RSS grade 12 student takes a break from his circuit training to tell me about his first win at the Bronze Gloves level. It was no big deal and it “went by smoothly,” he says. “I got a thrill out of it and I plan on fighting more,” says DeMone of his first taste of the ring. “I felt like I really didn’t get hit.”

LeRose agrees with DeMone, and also credits the young boxer’s training and physical fitness for helping him to the unanimous win.

Conner Null, 15, also had his first two fights at the Bronze Glove tournament. He joined the Revelstoke club in mid-October after hearing about it from a friend.

“It was amazing,” says Null of the tournament. “I had a good experience.” The venue was the real deal, he says. It was somewhat of a bar-like set up, lending to the feel of a pro fight you’d see on TV. “I was so excited. I felt ready.”

Null won his first fight, but lost the second one to a more experienced fighter, ending up with a silver for the tournament. He’s not disappointed in the least, and is looking forward to his next bout, which he hopes will come soon.

LeRose works through the stations with the adult and youth boxers, both male and female.

He stops to a first-timer, showing the twenty-something female from the southern hemisphere the finer points of the speed-bag. At other stations, experienced fighters work through an assortment of bags.

Their venue in the Big Eddy gym is one of the best around, boasts LeRose, who welcomes newcomers to the gym. Drop by any Monday, Wednesday or Thursday between 7–8:30 p.m., or call 250-837-6619. Fees are $30 a month and go towards equipment for the non-profit club.

LeRose hopes to bring a tournament to the gym soon, putting in a pitch for a local physician interested in helping with the event, as one is required.