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| SPORTS - November 18, 2008 |
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| Athabasca Boxing Club with first sanctioned bout win |
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By Jeff D’Andrea
Advocate Staff
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Fourteen-year-old Jacob Tosczak’s win over Evan Larsen last Saturday was a historic one, marking the first sanctioned boxing match victory for the Athabasca Boxing Club.
Tosczak took a unanimous decision in the three-round bout last Saturday in the Sand Hills Community Centre, west of Edmonton.
He showed off his courage and will once the bell rang at the start of the first round, moved around the ring well, and did what his cornerman and mentor, Mike Dibirov, told him to throughout the fight: "Keep your hands up Jacob!"
Tosczak found homes for both his left and right hands, and took the first round fairly easily. He was the bigger and stronger man, but Larsen had more experience.
Dibirov talked to the opposing corner before the match, and they said the Spruce Grove native has been training for two years, and has been in the ring numerous times for fights.
His experience showed, as Larsen and his corner were able to make adjustments. Larsen made Tosczak miss with great upperbody movement. His footwork set up some shots, and he fooled Tosczak with his approach.
"I would be looking to knock down his jab, but then he’d come in with a right," said Tosczak.
After Tosczak got out-boxed in the second round, it was an even-money bet and would be decided by the third and final round.
Tosczak came out swinging and slugging in the third, and threw his signature right cross at will. Larsen landed his fair share of punches as well in the final frame, but the judges saw that Tosczak had the edge on the scorecards.
Tosczak’s hand was raised after the referee took a look at the judge’s scorecards.
Despite the victory, Tosczak seemed baffled by the decision in his favour.
"I thought he had it," said Tosczak after the fight.
Dibirov and Tosczak embraced after the bout as the coach was very proud of his fighter, getting the win over a more experienced fighter. Tosczak has been training since the club opened up at Edwin Parr Composite School last March.
"He was a better boxer than you, but you used your heart, you had more heart," said Dibirov.
Craig Hamilton, who fought in an exhibition bout at the Beverly Bronx Club Card Sept. 27, was scheduled to participate, but it fell through at the last minute. |
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