First-time boxers train at Kitchener gym for upcoming charity bout

Alex Kinsella of Kitchener, Ont., says he's never been in a boxing ring, let alone a fight.

But since making the Red Team and training for the Champions for Charityfight night, he's learned a lot about himself andthe sport of boxing.

"I really didn't understand how important footwork was. So everything is notjust throwing punches. It is where your core is, where your feet are, where the power of the punch comes from," said Kinsella.

"And seeing that in training and then seeing that as we're doing sparring now, it's pretty inspiring to see and it's interesting just to learn about the science of the sport."

Kinsella says since he started training, he's found out he's not in as bad shape as he thought he was, but admits there's still room for improvement.

He's one of 20 people from Waterloo region who are stepping into the boxing ring, for the first time to take part in a Las Vegas-style boxing match for charity.The teams are currently training at the Syd Vanderpoolhealth centre in Kitchener.

The participants of the Champions for Charity boxing match on April 12 at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge are raising money for McMaster Children's Hospital.

Giving back to community

Two-time Olympian and founder of Champions of Charity Mandy Bujold first held the event in 2019 as a way to give back to the community and"introduce the community to the sport that I love."

"To bring business professionals who maybe know nothing about boxing or never stepped into a boxing ring before into the ring, ask them to step up and take on the challenge of getting into the ring for charity," she said. "Having that charity component was a really cool aspect to give back as well."

The 20 participants are split into two teams of 10. The Red Team, which is coached by local boxer Syd Vanderpool and the Blue Team is coached by Kaitlyn Clark.

'A chance to give back'

Some of the participants either have a personal family connection with McMaster Children's Hospital or know someone who has been.

Jeff MacIntyre of Kitchener and Blue Team membersays he vowed to do something to help the hospital after his family needed care in early 1990s.

"Twenty-eight years ago I followed an ambulance down to McMaster Children's Hospital when my second daughter was about to make an early entrance into the world. And while they were taking care of her mother, I was taken through the natal unit and prepared for a one-pound baby," MacIntyre said.

"And you know, life expectancy and some of the things that I saw, the care and compassion in the staff there and I said at some point if there's ever a chance for me to give back even more, I will."

Life changing experience

There were 70 people who initially tried out to be on the teams. Organizers selected the teams based on athletic ability and experience.

Those who made the two teamsrange in age between 30 and 60 years-old and they have a wide range of athleticism and the fighters will be matched evenly.

All of the boxing rules are based on Ontario's rules and regulations, which takes into consideration the age and weight category when fighters are matched up. The boxers will be judged on what's called a 10-must system for scoring, where the winner must be awarded 10 points and the loser of the round a lesser score.

Bujold says the scoring takes a lot into consideration including "scoring blows, ringmanshipand showing control and leadership in the ring including being the first to throw punch and lead the action, taking the centreof the ring the point system."

Bujold says all the boxers taking part in the event are now registered amateur boxers and can continue to train if they want.

"It's amazing to see how quickly they make a transition into, you know, almost being athletes. I saw one of our participants for the first time in the last few weeks. He's already lost 25 lbs and we've been training for about a month," Bujold said.

"The life changing experience that they go through to do this is pretty incredible. For some, it sets them on the right path of thinking about, you know, their nutrition there, you know what they're doing for physical activity," she added.

"Then some of them will probably continue on with boxing, which is really, really cool because you see the elements that it adds to your life."