The marriage between fights and fundraising is entering its second year at the annual K.O. for Cancer event at Canmore Collegiate High School.
The outdoor ring will rise again at the high school field on Aug. 6 for five bouts. Doors open at 4 p.m. with fights beginning at 5 p.m.
Nick Martin, owner of the Canmore Fight Club and organizer of the K.O. for Cancer is fired up for the main event, which will feature Craig Wilson versus Jeff Emmit.
“It’s a classic clash of styles. Craig is an inside fighter who can really cause some damage and Jeff is a tall, lanky guy who, if he keeps you on the outside, you’re in for a miserable night,” Martin said. “It will come down to who can apply their game plan.”
Martin has seen several changes to the fight card leading up to the event, however, several returning boxers will return this year.
“It’s coming together nicely. We’re getting a lot of interest from Calgary and there’s more buzz about the event this year,” Martin said.
Although last year’s event was marred by rain, Martin again made the decision to box without a tent, keeping the mountain view.
The size of the event has been scaled back to include more emphasis on the sanctioned fights, which will see several pugilists from the Bow Valley square off.
Following the success of last year’s K.O. for Cancer and the Pieter Grobler Memorial Boxing tournament, Martin said he’s hopeful the event can raise $10,000 for cancer research.
“Now with two shows under my belt, you get a bit of a template made up. It’s a lot simpler and has more focus this year,” Martin said.
He said boxing is still growing in the Bow Valley, but there is an acceptance for Olympic meetings.
“It’s finally going. It took a while, but we’ve seen it open up,” Martin said.
Martin is on his own boxing journey with 2012 Olympic dreams a possibility. He has a tune-up fight on Sept. 1 and will challenge for the Canadian Championship in a tournament between Jan. 6 and 11, 2012.
“They’re only sending four boxers – two men and two women – to the Olympics. I’m after the Canadian title and what happens from there, we’ll see,” Martin said.
The K.O. for Cancer is an all ages event, with no beer tent. Tickets are $20. For more information, contact www.canmorefightclub.com
