Fighters at new boxing gym in Stratford, P.E.I. ready to compete

STRATFORD, P.E.I. — A brand new boxing fitness center in Stratford is getting ready to ship its first athletes off to compete after opening within the fall.

Bell Boxing Health will likely be sending members Rob Salter and Nikki Blackett to the Battle on the Base in Fredericton, New Brunswick on Might 28.

For proprietor and coach Darcy Bell, this second has been years within the making. Bell has been concerned in boxing on the Island for 25 years.

After preventing for a few years at a fitness center in Charlottetown, he transitioned to teaching, studying from many skilled coaches alongside the best way.

“I began doing a little courses there underneath Bell Boxing, after which because the courses bought larger, I made a decision to maneuver out by myself,” Bell mentioned.

Bell Boxing Health first opened on Oct. 1, 2021. With upwards of 25 members, six personal purchasers and 4 youth hockey groups, the fitness center has turn out to be a preferred coaching spot.

Bell hopes to proceed to extend his numbers over the following yr and want to see extra members make the leap into aggressive coaching.

Nikki Blackett is one member who will likely be competing for the primary time when she enters the ring later this month. New to competing in boxing, she has been across the sport for 4 years. She began going to a boxing fitness center in Charlottetown for a health program. After beginning with only a couple periods every week, she shortly progressed from there.

However it has solely been inside the final yr that Blackett determined to take the leap into competing.

“It was really simply inside the final perhaps six months, I feel, simply doing it extra usually and getting extra assured with it. I wished to offer it a strive,” Blackett mentioned. “I made a decision to go that route and put the time in.”

She could have only one combat in the course of the competitors, however her opponent will likely be fierce. She is slated to face off towards a current Quebec champion. With a mixture of nerves and pleasure, Blackett is able to check her expertise on the subsequent degree.

“I simply need to go in there and attempt to use all the pieces that we have realized and all the pieces we have labored on and simply push myself out of my consolation zone and see the way it goes,” Blackett mentioned.

If issues go nicely, she is hopeful to proceed competing sooner or later towards a number of the finest fighters in Atlantic Canada.

Bell is optimistic that having two of his athletes competing regionally will assist present those who boxing is a sport that anybody can be a part of.

“That is what I’m hoping for, that having these two are available in and hopefully achieve success, then that may let others see that it’s attainable,” Bell mentioned.

For individuals who might imagine that they’re too previous to take up a brand new sport like boxing, Bell says that that’s not the case. His two athletes competing are an ideal instance of that.

“They’re just a little older, so hopefully folks see that and never be scared to return in,” he mentioned.

Bell mentioned that the upcoming competitors will likely be troublesome, however he and his fighters are up for the problem.

“We’re in for a troublesome night time, however we’re prepared for it,” Bell mentioned. “We’re ready.”