Ask Sbalyan Allan what he likes about boxing and his answer is not what you would expect.
“I like getting punched in the face – it hurts but it’s pretty fun,” said Allan, a 13-year-old Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club member.
Hopefully, for Allan’s sake, he won’t have too many face shots to absorb when he steps into the ring at the College of New Caledonia to take on Josh Lam of Burnaby in his first-ever match tonight at the Real Fights card.
Allan, a Grade 7 student at Foothills elementary school, joined the Warriors club in December and despite his rookie status he’s rapidly developed a sense of timing with his punches and a formidable defence, which could give Lam some problems in their three-round, 139-pound bout, one of eight matches on the card tonight.
“I’m nervous I guess, but I’ve been boxing since December,” said the five-foot-nine Allan, who answers to the nickname Spellie. “I’m just going to punch him lots and use the jab. Jacob has been teaching me to move my head more, because he hits me with quite a few right hands.”
Jacob Ross, 13, is 21 pounds lighter than Allan but the two are almost perfectly matched as sparring partners. Ross rejoined the club in October after taking six months off, having first joined the Warriors two years ago. He also plays hockey, baseball and golf, which takes up a lot of his free time, but, like Allan, he’s always around the gym to train four days a week with Warriors coach Wayne Sponagle.
The five-foot-six, 118-pound Ross is matched tonight with Nick Matherson of Terrace in what will be their boxing debuts.
“I’ve always just had natural power and I’ve been training hard and Wayne got me a fight,’” said Ross, who attends Grade 7 classes at Southridge elementary. “I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been and I’m a little nervous now but I feel like I’m ready for it. When I first started boxing I could not see a punch coming and now I can slip punches. I’m stronger for sure and my hand-eye co-ordination is better, and that helps in baseball. Me and Spellie were in the same track meet and we noticed we were quite a bit faster than we were at the beginning.”
Ross says he can’t wait to hear the roar of the crowd tonight when he steps into the ring. They have done their part to get people to support the fight card.
“Me and Spellie have sold tons of tickets for our fights so I feel it should be a good crowd turnout,” said Ross. “I sold $455 worth.”
Allan says he’s collected $350 in ticket sales.
Ross’s friends at school will be there, and he says the group is divided.
“They either want to see me one-punch the other kid or have me get one-punched, there’s no in between,” said Ross. “Some of them don’t believe I’m fighting until I show them the tickets.
“I feel people have actually lost the mindset to watch boxing and we’re hoping to bring the sport back into Prince George We didn’t know anybody who actually knew about boxing, they think it’s for people somewhere else who just want to make some money. But it’s a great sport to help you get in shape and you make lots of friends along the way.”
Now in his 50th season as a boxing coach, Sponagle says Allan and Ross have renewed his enthusiasm for teaching the sport and he sees bright futures in the ring for both his young protégés.
“Both of the boys are in really good shape, they’ve been training steady all year and they both carry out in instructions really well,” said Sponagle. “They use a lot of what they’re taught, good scientific boxing skills. It’s been drilled into their heads that this is a boxing match, not a fight. It’s a skill, and that’s all I want them to do is go out there and use their skill.
“They take me 40 years back when I watch them spar, I’m in my glory. It’s beauty watching them spar. They just have excellent attitudes. I haven’t seen two 13-year-olds show as much as they show since my son George.”
The main event tonight pits 147-pound Colton Bilawchuk against Donovan Cridland of Kelowna. Bilawchuk has a 1-1 record heading into tonight’s fight. As seniors, they will fight pro style, without headgear or tank tops.
Three other senior bouts are on the card including: 147 pound – Cory Mackie, Spruce Capital vs. Kyle Bank, Kelowna; 175 pound – Marshal Cade, Spruce Capital vs. Tyler Halvarson, Kamloops; 195 pound – Lyndon Creyke, Spruce Capital vs. George Spalding, Terrace.
The other matchups are: Jason Nahal, Spruce Capital vs. Nik Shufletoski, Kamloops; and Kade Allan, Spruce Capital vs. Leif Carnegie, Revelstoke.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the fights begin at 7. Tickets will be available at the door for $20 (ringside) and $15 (floor).
