Hollyburn hosts boxing card as fundraiser for kids

Pavel Artemov is on the three-fight amateur boxing card that’s the showcase for the Athletics 4 Kids Vegas Gala at the Hollyburn Club in West Vancouver Friday night, and there’s something fitting with that.

Artemov is a 27-year-old middleweight out of the Trojan Horse Club, which is based out of the Britannia Community Centre. He’s slated for a three-round bout on Friday against Marcus Davies of the Sunshine Coast Club.

Artemov came to the Lower Mainland from Kazakhstan with his family 12 years ago, and one of the first things he did was sign up with the North Burnaby Boxing Club. He says he wanted something for “self improvement.” He wanted something to help himself feel good about himself, especially as he settled into a new country.

A4K, which was formed in 2002, gives grants to young people in need to help them take part in a variety of sports. They’re looking to assist over 800 kids this year, and are hoping to raise $200,000 to do so.

This gala is one of their major fundraisers. It’s in its 14th year, and boxing has been a showcase each time.

“I was not a boxing fan when we started this, but now, after seeing how incredibly athletic these people are and how hard they work, I find it extremely impressive,” said A4K executive director Sandy Hancock.

Manny Sobral, the Seoul 1988 Olympian who now heads up North Burnaby Boxing, has been the boxing liaison for A4K and spearheads putting together the card each year. He says that it’s a sport that connects with that particular audience, considering the charity.

“Boxing is one of those sports that attracts kids from every segment of society,” he said.

As for Artemov, this is his first fight in “two or three years,” he said. He plans to keep going.

He works in the retail sector for a day job.

“It will always be a part of my life,” he said of boxing. “At one point, it was my main priority. It’s not that anymore, but I’ll never completely put it aside.

“Sport, in general, is a great way to improve your self discipline.”

Find out more at A4k.ca.