Nelson Boxers off to 2019 Super Channel Championships
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Boxing Club fighters get a taste of national competition as these local boxers prepare to participate at the National Boxing Championships which began Monday at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort Community in the City of Langford.
Under the guidance of Team BC coach Jesse Pineiro, no less than four boxers will take to the ring against opponents from across Canada at the 2019 Super Channel Championships.
“The challenge of it, being in that environment,” said Nelson boxer Elias Martinez when asked about the upcoming challenge.
“Last year at the Nationals I was the youngest in my division,” Martinez added. “This year I have that experience behind me and I’m looking forward to going in with a better mind-set. I feel like I will bring my best.”
Martinez, who won bronze in 2018 at the Nationals in Edmonton, is joined by Leah Eberle, Makalu Babott and Canada Games Bronze medal winner Brayden Hellekson.
“I’m looking forward to fighting the same boxers that I fought at the Canada Winter Games,” Hellekson explained. “I feel like I’ve improved a lot and am looking forward to showing it.”
While Martinez and Hellekson have major competitions under their belts, both Babott and Eberle are both new to the National scene.
Babott, an extremely dedicated, crafty boxer, has eight fights in BC, Washington and Mexico during the past two years with an end-goal of fighting internationally.
Eberle, a disciplined and dedicated boxer who wanted to get into the ring following her first Nelson Boxing Club class, is also a rookie to the sport having just eight fights in BC, Alberta and Washington State.
“I push myself and am very disciplined,” Eberle said when asked what makes her a good boxer. “I organize other things in my life around being a dedicated boxer.”
I’m looking forward to watching the fights, fighting boxers of a high calibre, and it will be cool to be on television," said Babott.
Local fans get a chance to see the quartet in action when Nelson Boxing Club hosts Fight Night VI Saturday, May 11 at the Rod and Gun Club.
Nelson Boxer Brayden Hellekson already has a Canada Games Medal this year. — Photo courtesy Ben Owens Photography
Leah Eberle is optimistic heading into her first national competition. — Photo courtesy Ben Owens Photography
Makalu Babott is eager to fight boxers of a high calibre. — Photo courtesy Ben Owens Photography
