BOXING’S BACK
Ryan (Thunder) Rozicki to headline professional boxing card at Centre 200 in May
Ryan Rozicki to headline pro boxing card at Centre 200 in May.
Ryan Rozicki’s last fight lasted just two minutes, but the Sydney-based boxer seems certain his next bout will go on much longer.
Rozicki, whose ring name is “Thunder,” will put his 4-0 professional record on the line when he steps into the ring to challenge for the Eastern Canadian Cruiserweight title on May 19 at Centre 200 in Sydney.
The bout, which pits the hardhitting local pugilist against Ontario’s Brock (The Highlander) Arthur, is the main event on the seven-fight card entitled Thunder On The Cape,
“I’m expecting an eight-round war,” stated the soft-spoken Rozicki during a Thursday press conference that also featured a live video feed with Arthur from Toronto.
“From what I’ve seen and heard he’s extremely tough and durable and I don’t think he’s ever been stopped in his career, he’s a good puncher and a southpaw.”
While Rozicki knocked out Kristof Demendi just two minutes and two seconds into the first round of their Centre 200 fight last November, he knows the 34-year-old Arthur is both better trained and more experienced than his Slovakian opponent.
For his part, Arthur said he’s looking forward to visiting Cape Breton for the first time. And, he said, he’s coming down knowing all about Rozicki’s reputation as a boxer whose punch packs a mighty wallop.
“I agree that it’s going to be a war — we might be hurting a little bit, but the fans are really going to enjoy it because it’s going to be really actionpacked,” said the ginger-haired Arthur, adding that the origin of his Highlander nickname stems from his Scottish ancestry.
Along with Rozicki, two other Nova Scotia boxers who fought on November’s card — the first pro boxing in Sydney in 29 years — will make their way into the squared circle during the Saturday night event.
New Glasgow’s Brody Blair will take on Alvaro Enriquez of Mexico, while Sackville’s Joey Laviolette is set to tangle with Jose Calyecac, also of Mexico.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s Connor Victory makes his professional debut against fellow first-timer Jorga Gjonaj of Toronto.
“I think it’s a huge opportunity to showcase all the skills and the results from all the training I’ve been working on,” said the 21-year-old Victory, a former MMA fighter who turned to boxing three years ago.
“I know I am in good hands here and I have a lot of faith in my coaches and my team — I’m going to keep training hard and show up the day of the fight.
“It also means a lot to be fighting in front of family and friends — it puts a bit of pressure on me, but I expect that and I’ll be ready to go.”
Centre 200 general manager Paul MacDonald said he’s thrilled about the return of professional boxing to the municipality’s largest venue.
“We at Centre 200 are pleased to once again bring professional boxing back to this building — it returned back in November after 29 years and I think that for the most part people who were at that event were extremely pleased with what they saw,” said MacDonald
“Many people were surprised by the quality, as I don’t think they realized the calibre of the boxing, which was outstanding.”
The May 19 card is presented by Thunder Boxing, Centre 200 and the Canadian Professional Boxing Council in conjunction with 902 Advertising, 101.9 The Giant and the Cape Breton Post.