PROVINCIAL STAGE A HIT:

The Counterpunch Boxing Academy in Swift Current hosted the Saskatchewan provincial boxing championship at the Lt. Colonel Clifton Centre, Dec. 8. There were 10 bouts during the evening, including some non-title matches. Two local boxers competed at the event. Dashanda FehrSpence (36-kg) of Swift Current had a bout against Sydney Collinge (30-kg) under the Fun Box program. These bouts are not judged and they were declared co-winners after the match. Swift Current's Jaden Toye lost his bout against Elias Weston of Weyburn in the 54-kg weight class as a result of a stoppage or technical knockout in the second round. Two Swift Current boxers were declared walkover champions at the event. Jesse Kitchen is the champion in the 81-kg master class and Hunter Theise is the champion in the 40-kg Junior A class. This was the first time since 2009 that the provincial boxing championship took place in Swift Current.

Above: Swift Current's Jaden Toye (at right) hits Weyburn's Elias Weston with a straight left punch during their bout in the 54-kg weight class. Lloyminster's Sydney Collinge (at left) and Swift Current's Dashanda Fehr-Spence size each other up during their bout.

Above: Swift Current's Jaden Toye (at left) and Weyburn's Elias Weston duke it out during their 54-kg bout. Right: Swift Current's Dashanda Fehr-Spence (at left) loses her balance while trying to avoid a blow by Lloyminster's Sydney Collinge.

Photos by Matthew Liebenberg

Lloyminster's Sydney Collinge ( at left) and Swift Current's Dashanda Fehr-Spence trade punches during their bout.