Stony Plain set for professional boxing event

Article content

Fists will fly in Stony Plain this October.

The Town’s council approved a request to hold a professional boxing event during their meeting Monday. Edmonton-based promoter Pasqualino Santoro put together the event with former boxer Roy Jones Jr.’s promotions and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is passionate about showcasing boxing at the Heritage Park Pavilion and also has roots in the community.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser.

Stony Plain set for professional boxing event Back to video

“My father was a part of this community since 1968,” he said Monday. “Stony Plain has always been kind of like our central hub. Growing up this was to us my family’s home.”

The event, along with clips highlighting the community, will be streamed through the UFC’s Fight Pass video streaming service when it runs Oct. 19. The fight would be overseen by the Central Combative Sports Commission from the town of Penhold outside Red Deer. Alberta has no single combative sports commission and the event is heavily insured. This was a point of concern for councillors, but Santoro says they are prepared for issues.

Article content continued

“We have got four off-duty RCMP officers,” he said. “We also have a security company helping out, that is my obligation.”

Spruce Grove Boxing Club representative John Bourbeau was present at the meeting as well. He spoke in opposition to the planned event and worried it would cause people to associate it with amateur boxing, which he says is regulated differently and subject to many more safety regulations.

“When Tim Hague died in the ring in Edmonton all the parents see is boxing, they do not see the differences,” Bourbeau said. “Amateur is an Olympic sport. Pro boxing is a form of entertainment. If done correctly it can be a great experience for the community, but if done incorrectly it will have damaging impact.”

Mayor William Choy asked about how much security for the event would extend outside the Pavilion. Santoro said they will monitor the exterior too.

“We control the whole lot from the entrance to the venue,” he said. “I do not need patrons going to cars because with certain detractors of the event I do not know who will show up to cause trouble. You run it like an iron fist.”

Council voted to allow the measure to go ahead with Coun. Linda Matties opposing and Coun. Bruce Lloy absent.

Santoro is looking forward to hosting it and sees a future for such events in town after this one.

“Why not here?,” he asked. “Why not more?”

The fights are scheduled for Oct. 19. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first bout begins at 6 p.m. No recording devices are allowed in the venue. The full card has not been released at this time and is ultimately subject to change.

epretzer@postmedia.com

twitter.com/EvanJPretzer