Maple Ridge boxers win four championships at Bronze Gloves tournament

The Maple Ridge Amateur Boxing Club has a promising group of young fighters after four of its athletes won championships at the BC Bronze Gloves Championships. The novice tournament, described as “The Future of Boxing,” was held in Chilliwack from Sept. 25 to 27. Club spokesperson Jason Burke said the Maple Ridge club brought nine boxers: four became champions, two competed for championships and finished as runners-up, and two were semifinalists.

The champions were Ann Thomas, Antony Thomas, Malcolm Kengni and Anthony Crosato. Blaydan Burke and Diego Cerros were runners-up. Tobyn Driver and Javon Marol reached the semifinals and, Burke said, both lost close split decisions. Jake Buitenkant also fought, but lost his first bout. “We’ve got a lot of up-and-coming fighters,” Burke said.

Bronze Gloves tournaments are for fighters with fewer than nine bouts. A separate bracket was available for those with five or fewer fights. Fighters can progress to Silver Gloves events; Golden Gloves are for fighters aged 16 and older. More information about the local club is at mapleridgeboxing.com.