Fight Night: Round 5
Tri-Town Boxing Club to host fight card tonight in North Sydney
Tri-Town Boxing Club’s fifth annual boxing card will feature two fighters who have been regulars at the club since it opened its doors.
Matt MacDonald of Sydney Mines will challenge Matt Ross of New Waterford in a 152-pound, all-Cape Breton bout in the main event in the Fight Night: Round 5 at the Emera Centre Northside tonight in North Sydney.
MacDonald, 17, will step into the ring for his 30th amateur fight against Ross, a gold medalist at nationals in Edmonton back in April.
“He’s a very good opponent,” said MacDonald. “He’s skillful, too. It’s going to be a technical fight and be a competitive fight.
“I’m going to go in there, adapt and do whatever I have to do.”
Both MacDonald and Ross may be opponents tonight, but they could also be teammates next year. They’re both looking to crack the provincial Canada Games team for the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta., in different weight classes.
“I think they’re selecting the team in October, so I just have to keep working hard,” said MacDonald, who will box in Ireland at the end of this month.
Josh Prince of Georges River is another fighter who’s been at the Tri-Town punch palace since it opened its doors. The 18-yearold will duke it out with Quebec fighter Cedric Belony in a 165pound bout.
He said fighting in front of the home crowd will give him an extra push.
“He fought in my weight class at nationals last year, so he’s up there with fights, too, and his skill
level (is high), so it’s going to be a good fight,” said Prince. “I’m looking forward to it for sure.
“He’s fast, he’s slick — that’s what really stood out to me.”
It will be the first fight for Prince in 11 months since he boxed in Kansas City at the Ringside World Championships and he said it’s been difficult getting opponents.
However, he believes tonight’s bout will be worth the wait and he isn’t concerned with having any ring rust.
“There’s no better place than home for your first fight back,” he said.
Tri-Town coach Michael Gerrow said tonight’s card is the major fundraiser for the club. Money raised goes toward equipment and travel expenses for
the boxers. “It’s nice to see them progress,” Gerrow said of his fighters. “We’ve seen a big difference in Matt and Josh. Matt’s selfconfidence is doing really well and Josh’s boxing is getting phenomenal. He’s doing really well with combinations and movement and he’s really at the top of his game right now.”
Admission is $20 general and $10 for students with a current student ID card. Ringside tables are $250. Doors open at 6 p.m., with fights to begin at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 902-371-4700 or 902577-7063.