Âé¶čAV residents are stepping up to take and give a punch inside the boxing ring to support local charity.
These âthree round heroesâ received three months of training from local boxing gym Los Gatos Locos all the while helping to support local outreach programs keep their doors open with fundraising.
âThree round heroes are people that come from our community, looking to fight for their community,â said Los Gatos Locos coach Geoff Lawrence.
People that had never boxed in their lives up until earlier this year took on the challenge to help recovery homes in the Okanagan stay open.
Business people, musicians, tree-planters and even former recovery home residents have signed up this year.
Joseph Dube is one of those people, a former recovery house resident who has turned his life around.
âFor me, it was a way to learn certain disciplines, and for me to challenge my anxieties and stress,â said Dube at the start of his training in April.
âThey have me sparring against experienced fighters, and putting yourself through those higher and higher tests, it gives you a confidence. Having done that and proved to myself that Iâve actually done pretty well, it gives me a new level of confidence in myself.â
Dube is one of four former recovery house residents competing in the boxing tournament this year.
READ MORE: Fighting for charity with local boxing club
This is the third year of the charity fights, but the support for outreach programs and recovery homes in Âé¶čAV is a year-round endeavour for Los Gatos Locos.
Lawrence offers nine-month training programs to recovery home residents, which is helped funded by the support from the heroes. In the past two years, the heroes have raised more than $30,000.
âPeople, if you give them the chance, they really do want to make a difference, especially in their own community,â said Lawrence.
âAnd something about the fact that their fighting for their community, and actually fighting for it, appeals to people to become a three-round hero.â
In addition, the charity matches will be followed by sanctioned amateur fights. There are just under 10 matches scheduled between the âthree round heroesâ and 10 amateur fights, with the main event being the Menâs Elite 69kg championship.
READ MORE: Âé¶čAV marathoner bests former Canucks at Vancouver race
Lawrence donates the time, training, resources and production of the show as his part of fighting for his community. He said that itâs a feel-good rush and he loves the atmosphere of being around regular people turned back-yard gladiators whoâre looking to better their communities.
â3 Round Heroesâ are just over a week from their charity boxing matches. Fighters have raised more than $30K in the past 2 years for outreach programs in Âé¶čAV. Stay tuned to for a preview on the July 6 fights.
â Mack Britton (@MackBrittonBC)
âGoing to keep donating and fighting for the community, because we care for our community, for as long as Iâm here.â
The charity fight is July 6 at the Rutland Centennial Hall.
Email geoffmadkats@gmail.com for information, tickets and donations.
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