The Local boxing scene is alive and well in the
Kitchener/Waterloo area. Fans filled Bingeman’s Marshall Hall Saturday night to
be a part of “The Return of the Gladiators”, the first professional boxing card
in the area in over 20 years.
Hosted by Kitchener boxing great Syd “the Jewel” Vanderpool,
The event got off to a truly fitting start in the form of a 10 count to
recently passed Boxing Legend, trainer and announcer Emanuel Steward.
Vanderpool went down to Steward’s famous “Kronk” gym to round out his boxing
game and trained with Steward for two years during his career. “He told me I
needed to go out to the club and just relax and dance, not a lot of coaches
would give that advice but it was what I needed.” Vanderpool said in a classy
tribute to one of the best.
Julius “Caesar” Bunda headlined the four-fight card and
thrilled the hometown fans with a devastating right uppercut that dropped his
opponent Michel Tsalla in the third round. Tsalla battled valiantly getting to
his feet only to have his corner throw in the towel wisely protecting their
fighter. Bunda used his reach advantage and controlled much of the fight with
his jab. Tsalla the Quebec fighter threw heavy hooks to the head and body that
were able to temporarily move Bunda off balance but couldn’t connect to do any
real damage. Julius Bunda improved his record to 5-2-2 and can finally boast of
a fight and victory at home.
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| Julius Bunda getting his hand raised after a successful TKO win. |
In one of the night’s two heavyweight bouts another KW boxer
Artur Binkowski 16-3-3 took on Jonte Willis 9-4 of Tacoma Washington. Binkowski
was making a comeback after a five-year layoff for the chance to fight in front
of family and friends. The fight went back and forth in the early rounds with
Binkowski looking to establish his Jab while “What you talkin’ bout” Willis
worked his way inside. Into the middle rounds a little too much “showmanship”
from Binkowski gave Willis the opening he needed landing a big left hook
cleanly to the side of the head. Binkowski showed he was game in going the six
round distance, but couldn’t put together enough offense to topple the tough
Tacoma boxer who earned the unanimous decision victory.
The girls threw down in the “fight of the night” in a four
round action-fest between Kara McLeod and Amanda Beaudin both from Ontario.
From bell to bell these girls threw punches in a very well fought Super
Flyweight bout. McLeod the southpaw looked to have the win in hand through two
rounds but seemed to gas out allowing Beaudin to take over the momentum earning
her the split decision victory. The finish of the fight brought the crowd to
its feet in appreciation for both boxers effort level and will to win.
Adnan Shahkaram earned his first career victory over Donald
Willis in a heavyweight bout that opened the evening. Both fighters gave it
their all and maybe a little too early for Willis who couldn’t keep up the pace
leading to the fourth round TKO stoppage.
The first of many boxing cards to come to the KW area,
Return of the Gladiators put
www.kwboxing.com on the map as the source for pro boxing and
showcased the tip of the iceberg in Ontario’s boxing talent. Syd Vanderpool
runs his gym “Boxing by Syd” in Kitchener and is affiliated with the Ontario
Boxing Association to promote and grow Professional and Amateur boxing in Ontario.
Quick Results:
Adnan Shahkaram defeats Donald Willis via 4th
round TKO (ref stoppage).
Julius Bunda defeats Michel Tsalla via 3rd round TKO
(towel).
Jonte Willis defeats Artur Binkowski via unanimous decision.
Amanda Beaudin defeats Kara McLeod via split decision.
