Boxers stepped into the ring and geared up to fight, amidst thunderous applause from the crowd, at Judgement Night VI on May 10.
B.C and Alberta athletes faced off in a series of matches at the Fernie Memorial Arena. It was the 10th anniversary of the event and a sold-out crowd filled the stands.
"The boxing action was pretty much relentless for the entire three and a half hours. It was really good. A whirlwind," said Fernie Old School Boxing Club president Mike Johnson.
There were a total of 13 bouts at the event, with athletes from Cranbrook Eagles, Salmon Arm Bulldogs, Edmonton Cougars and Lethbridge Boxing Clubs, in addition to Fernie.
Riley Barr and Patty Hayduck of Fernie made their boxing debuts at the event.
Barr fought hard against Franz Peter of Lethbridge, but ultimately fell short. Hayduck faced off against Bulldog Ashley Boechler. Boechler already had a few fights under her belt, so she provided stiff competition for the new boxer.
"[Patty] she went toe-to-toe against Ashley. Moved really well and just put up a really good show," said Johnson.
Hayduck and Boechler were among eight women who took part in the event.
Eagles' Michael McLeod entered the first round with a bang and achieved a few personal bests, but ultimately fell behind in the second round.
Merik Quinton, another Eagle, had what his coaches called "the fight of the night," when he overtook his opponent in a hair-raising back-and-forth match.
One of the highlights of the event was a legacy fight between Eagles' Tom White and Lethbridge's Kevin Oishi. The two boxers were teammates 40 years ago in Cranbrook and reunited just for the event. White ended up stealing the show.
“They both trained together back in the day, both Canadian Champions. Their old coach Mickey Sims, who now lives in Salmon Arm, he came down as a referee," said Johnson.
Johnson said the event drew many more spectators this year than in 2024, due to a switch to a larger venue. The event was formerly held at the Fernie Community Centre, but was moved to the arena this year after the centre was decommissioned.
In total, the event raised around $35,000. Johnson said the club has not chosen a recipient yet, but in the past it has donated to Fernie Fire and Rescue, Elk Valley Suicide Task Force and Angel Flight East Kootenay.
