2010 NEWS

December 12 , 2010

El Mais Defends National Championship

"Sweet" Sammy did it again.

The Canadian Heavyweight Champion defeated three challengers from Quebec at the 2010 National Championships in Quebec City.

In the quarter-finals, El Mais defeated Steven Harvey by an 11:4 score; in the semi-finals, he defeated Matte Carol by a 15:2 score; and in the final he stopped Jean Donald George with a body shot in the first round.

El Mais looks forward to representing Canada internationally again in 2011, and to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in England.

October 31, 2010

Gorges and Cameron Earn Titles

Cameron Wins Ontario Middleweight Championship; Gorges Wins North American Welterweight Title

"Gorgeous" Andre Gorges, upset Detroit favourite Lenardo Tyner in an eight-round North American Boxing Association Welterweight Championship bout at the Palace of Auburn Hills Saturday.

On Sunday, teammate "Jackknife" Josh Cameron defeated his fourth opponent of the weekend to earn the 75 kg. elite Provincial Title in Oshawa and a spot on Team Ontario at the National Championships in Quebec next month.

Billed as the rematch of the 1812 War between Canada (actually England) and the U.S., Canadian Andre Gorges scored a well-deserved split verdict win in an eight over the much more experienced Lenardo Tyner, now (24-4). Windsorite Gorges (10-1) used height, speed and crafty boxing techniques to thwart Detroit-area favorite Tyner, who lost for the first time in front of his 313-area code partisans. Moments after the decision was announced, one of Tyner’s backers yelled, “Straight up: Tyner was robbed!” The only robbery committed was that Gorges was deprived of a unanimous decision win. The eyes of this journalist saw an easy win for Gorges and had him sweeping the first seven of the eight rounds. The fight was for the NABA US welterweight championship.

An impartial observer of the fight thought Tyner “looked like he was stuck in the mud,” an analogy that looked to be more apt than the above comment. When the message that the fight was slipping away for Tyner was finally registered in round eight, Tyner tore into Gorges with a two-fisted attack that seemed to hurt him. But when Tyner backed Gorges into into the ropes in his attempt to knock him out, Gorges took a couple of punches more and then bull-rushed Tyner with a clinch that sent both sprawling to the other side of the ring. Tyner’s assault had been blunted and he seemed tired, failing to resume his assault with the mad-dog conviction earlier in the round. Whether Gorges was relieved about this is unknown. Suffice to say that he could have fought Tyner in this fashion–with Tyner standing at arm’s length–until the cows came home. Scores were for Gorges a mincing 78-77 (three even rounds), 77-75, and a stunning 77-74 for Tyner. I had it 79-73 for Gorges. -Lindy Lindell

October 13, 2010

Gorges to Main Event at the Palace

WAR OF 1812 WINNER TO BE
DECIDED IN BOXING RING
ON OCTOBER 30, 2010

FEATURING BORDER CITY'S "GORGEOUS" ANDRE GORGES VS. DETROIT'S LANARDO "PAINSERVER" TYNER AT THE PALACE OF AUBURN HILLS

TICKETS are available at The BORDER CITY BOXING CLUB (519) 972-0824.

Donofrio Boxing, in association with Jackie Kallen, proudly presents "WAR OF 1812 - THE REMATCH" a night of world-class professional boxing at The Palace of Auburn Hills, featuring a cross-border war pitting Detroit's Lenardo"Pain Server" Tyner (24-3-1, 15 KOs) vs. Windsor, Ontario, Canada's "Gorgeous" Andre Gorges (9-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight battle.

As any history buff would know, the original War of 1812 produced no winner between the British/Canadians and the United States with both sides suffering costly losses; the rematch, says Donofrio, will finally produce a winner.

"This is going to be one heck of a grudge match while it lasts," said the excited promoter. "The Canadian, Andre Gorges has only got 10 fights and Lenardo Tyner is furious that he'd dare even take this fight. Lenardo has fought a bunch of world-class guys and beaten most of them, but these two sparred as amateurs and George's camp thinks they've got a surprise in store. I know both these kids and they're not going to stop until someone drops."

Featured on the undercard will be Waterford, Michigan's "Pistol" Pete Cantu (16-6-1, 10 KOs) taking on Ann Arbor, Michigan's Robert "The Wolf" Jones (7-8-1, 2 KOs); plus Ypsilanti's Garvin "Chico" Crout (11-9-1, 6 KOs) going against Jackson, Michigan's Rasool Shakoor (3-8-1, 1 KO).

In a very special showcase attraction, Bakersfield, California, light welterweight Michael "The Silent Assassin" Dallas (15-0, 5 KOs) will face an opponent that is TBA, as will undefeated Chicago-based middleweight Ramon Valenzuela Jr. (2-0, 1 KO).

Additional fights are still TBA.

"This show will mark a triumphant return of boxing to The Palace of Auburn Hills and we're extremely proud to be able to offer such a compelling main event and undercard with so much local and international significance," added Donofrio.

Tickets for "WAR OF 1812 - THE REMATCH" are priced at $15, $25 and $35. Super Fan seats are also available, priced at $75 and $100. They are available at The BORDER CITY BOXING CLUB (519) 972-0824. Doors open at 6:30 pm and fights start at 7:30. All bouts are subject to change

October 9, 2010

El Mais Drops Decision in Third Bout at the Commonwealth Games

Canadian Heavyweight Champion "Sweet" Sammy El Mais lost a tough 7-4 decision to Scotland's Stephen Simmons (pictured) on Sunday afternoon at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

October 8, 2010

"Sweet" Sammy Wins Second Bout at Commonwealth Games

Samir El-Mais defeated Lorenz Duncan from St Vincent & Grenadines by a 11-0 score at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.

October 7, 2010

El Mais Wins First Bout at Commonwealth

Canadian Heavyweight Champion "Sweet" Sammy El Mais defeated Wales' Kevin Evans by an 11-2 score in the preliminaries of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India last night. Evans received a standing 8-count in the second round and three times the bout was briefly stopped in the third to wipe away blood from the Welshman's nose.

Next up for El Mais is a Saturday night 1/8 elimination bout against Lorenz Duncan from SVG (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). To watch Sammy's win over Evans, click here!

October 5, 2010

El Mais vs. Evans

Canadian Heavyweight Champion "Sweet" Sammy El Mais will face Kevin Evans (pictured) from Carmarthen, Wales in the first round of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India tomorrow.

Although El Mais is competing in his first Commonwealth Games, Evans is no stranger to the tournament, having won a Bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, a Bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and a Silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

September 22, 2010

"Sweet" Sammy to Represent Canada at the Commonwealth Games

Even Canada's heavyweight boxing champ is afraid for his safety at the Commonwealth Games in India.

Windsor tough guy Samir El-Mais is scheduled to leave Saturday for New Delhi along with six other fighters on the Canadian team.

"It's kind of scared me," El-Mais said of media reports coming out of India describing a chaotic scene where a bridge has collapsed and an unfinished athletes' village has been labeled filthy and unlivable. "Will I feel safe, probably not, but we're guests there, they have to take care of us."

El-Mais is one of four local athletes scheduled to compete in India along with wrestler Jessica Bondy-MacDonald and track's Megan Muscat and Jamie Adjetey-Nelson.

Canada and other countries have threatened to pull out if safety concerns and living conditions are not addressed.

Dr. Andrew Pipe, the president of Commonwealth Games Canada, told a teleconference he's monitoring the situation "hour-by-hour."

The Games are scheduled for Oct. 3-14 but advance delegations have arrived in India to find construction sites strewn with debris and human excrement. Toilets don't flush and an outbreak of dengue fever has swept through parts of the country. Last week, two tourists in New Delhi were wounded by gun-toting motorcyclists.

Several prominent athletes have already pulled the plug on competing.

"Sorry people but I have children to think about," England's world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu said in a tweet.

"My safety is more important to them than a medal."

Australia's world women's discus champ, Dani Samuels, has also dropped out.

"Just the thought of traveling to New Delhi, it frightens me," Samuels told Australian media.

"The closer the deadline gets, the scarier the situation has become."

Muscat is determined to block out all distractions as she prepares for her first Commonwealth Games.

"It's interesting," she said of the news reports.

"But I'm going to go ahead and not let it affect my workouts, not let it affect my preparations. If (a Canadian withdrawal) happens, it happens and if it doesn't, then I'm ready."

An athlete with cerebral palsy, the 25-year-old Muscat is slated to run the T37 100 metres.

A national champion in that event, Muscat has experienced the stress of international travel and competition before, having represented Canada at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing and the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio.

"I'm leaving the security concerns to the pros," she said. "I'm going there to run."

Muscat and Adjetey-Nelson are scheduled to leave Oct. 1.

"My safety is first and foremost for me," said Adjetey-Nelson, a decathlete. "I'm just waiting on the (Canadian track) federation to relay information back to us. Even when I'm there, I'll be more cautious than I usually am when I travel."

Performance at the Commonwealth Games quite often impacts selection to the 2012 Olympic team.

"This affects my whole career," the 29-year-old El-Mais said.

"If I do well here, I have a good chance of going to the Olympics. There is a lot at stake for me."

-Windsor Star, September 22, 2010

September 3, 2010

"Gorgeous" Scheduled to Fight at Casino

Andre Gorges, Ronald Hearns, Darryl Cunningham, Ali Mansour and Andrew Kooner

Caesars Windsor and Knockout Entertainment present CHAOS AT THE COLOSSEUM, an evening of world class professional boxing on Saturday, October 9.

The event will also be broadcast live across Canada on SUPER CHANNEL. CHAOS AT THE COLOSSEUM will feature Windsor's "Gorgeous" Andre Gorges and Detroit's junior middleweight Ronald "The Chosen One" Hearns, son of Hall of Fame legend Tommy "The Hitman" Hearns. The undercard bouts to be announced. For ticket information, click here!

August 8, 2010

Pasta Dinner Fundraiser!

The Border City Boxing Club would like to invite all of its friends and supporters to join us at the Riverside Sportsmen Club (10835 Riverside Drive East) each Wednesday in the month of August.

Please note that there will be no Recreational (5 PM) Classes on Wednesdays this month as the coaches and champions who run these classes will be at the Riverside Sportsmen Club. Recreational and Beginner athletes are welcome to make up their missed classes on Thursdays at 4 PM.

Also, special thanks to Judy Wilder from Latasia Fashion Jewelry who will be donating 10% of all purchases made at the Sportsmen Club to the Border City Boxing Club. Stop by Judy's booth, just as you enter the Sportsmen Club this Wednesday!

July 3, 2010

Garside New Undisputed Champion

There is a new Queen of the Featherweights and her name is Jeannine "Heartless" Garside. Garside traveled across the Atlantic to battle the highly rated and undefeated champion in Ina Menzer and outfought the German over the course of 10 rounds to win the IBF, WBO, and WBC featherweight titles at the Porche Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. Garside won a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Menzer (26-1 10KO’s) and was aggressive throughout the 10 round contest knocking down Menzer in the final round to secure the win.

Nova Scotia’s Bob Tapper scored the bout 98-92 for Garside while Hubert Urich and Andre Van Grootenbruel both scored the bout a much closer 96-94 for Garside.

Garside came forward as the aggressor the entire bout to score left-right jab combinations in center ring on the inside on Menzer to win universal recognition as the women's world Featherweight champion. In the tenth and final round, Garside dropped a tired Menzer on the ropes onto the seat of her pants with a counter right-left combination with 23 seconds remaining in the bout to seal the victory.

To watch the fight, rounds 1-5, CLICK HERE!

To see rounds 6-10, CLICK HERE!

Garside to Fight Menzer in Germany

June 30, 2010

On July 3, 2010, Jeannine "Heartless" Garside is set to unify the featherweight division against unbeaten WBC, WBO and WIBF female featherweight world champion Ina Menzer (26-0, 10 KOs) in Stuttgart, Germany. Menzer bristles over the fact that in one independent ranking Garside is rated above her. “I’ve recently had the toughest opponents that you can imagine, twice Esther Schouten, then Ramona Kuehne – and I was still only the #2. This has annoyed me. Now I’ll change this myself with my fists.” "She'll find out why they put me on top," Garside retorted. "I didn't put myself there. "They just don't look at your record. They look at who you beat, how active you've been recently and how active your opponents have been. My opponents have top-ranked fighters. I just knocked out Garbatt and she just beat Melissa Hernandez (WIBA Super Featherweight champion in a non-title bout). She's (Menzer) never fought outside of Germany. A lot of people feel she hasn't fought a lot of top level fighters. I don't agree with that, but what peeves me off is she has no problem disparaging me. It's insulting." Universum VP Dietmar Poszwa added, “Great that the bout is against Jeannine. This will be the fight of fights in the featherweight division.”

El Mais Drops Decision in Ecuador

June 17, 2010

Last night, the Border City Boxing Club’s National Heavyweight Champion, “Sweet” Sammy El Mais lost to Ecuador's Julio Castillo by a 5-3 score at the Elite Continental Championships in Ecuador.

June 14, 2010

El Mais Wins in Puerto Rico

Last night, National Heavyweight Champion, “Sweet” Sammy El Mais defeated Puerto Rico’s Jose Santiago in Puerto Rico by a 4-1 score.

El Mais, and the rest for the Canadian Team left Puerto Rico for the Elite Continental Championships in Ecuador today. At the Continental Championships, scheduled from June 15 to 18, El Mais will face champions from Argentina, Brazil, Bahamas, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Virgin Islands and Venezuela.

The Elite Continental Championships will take place in Ecuador’s Julio Cesar Hidalgo Coliseum.

May 16, 2010

El Mais Defeats Irish Champ Twice

Canadian Heavyweight Boxing Champion "Sweet" Samir El Mais represented Canada in Saskatchewan in a Dual Meet against Team Ireland this past week.

El Mais defeated the Irish Heavyweight Champion, Willy Byrne, by a score of 16-4 on May 14. El Mais faced Byrne again on May16 and defeated the Irishman by 15-1 score.

May 12, 2010

El Mais Competes Against Ireland in Saskatchewan

"Sweet" Sammy El Mais, leaves tomorrow for Regina where he will represent Canada against Team Ireland. El Mais will face both the Irish Heavyweight and Super Heavyweight Champions.

This valuable international experience will prepare El Mais for the Elite of America Championships in Ecuador in June, and another dual meet in Germany in September.

El Mais will close his international campaign off this year in October, when he represents Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

April 24, 2010

Garside Wins Third World Title

Exciting World Title action took place Saturday night in Duncan, B.C. Border City Boxing Club's Jeannine “Heartless” Garside knocked out “Lethal” Lindsay Garbatt of Oshawa, Ontario at 1:24 of the 3rd round to claim the the vacant WIBA Featherweight Title! Garside is also the current WBC International Featherweight Champion.

Garside knocked Garbatt down three times in the third round. Referee stopped the bout after the third knockdown when Garbatt was unable stand before the count was completed. With the win Garside reclaims the title she lost in a controversial decision in Sarajevo in December 2008. Garbatt was ranked number two in the World and suffered the first stoppage loss of her career. The win also moved Garside to the #1 World Ranking at Featherweight.

April 21, 2010

Garside Fights for Third World Title

The WIBA crown holds a special significance for Garside. She was robbed of that title by all observers with any ring knowledge other than the judges during a controversial loss to Irma Balijagic-Adler in Sarajevo during 2008.

Jeannine "Heartless" Garside takes on Lindsay Garbatt of Oshawa, Ont. for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association featherweight title at the Fuller Lake Arena in British Columbia on April 24th.

Last summer, Garside won the World Boxing Council International Featherweight title with a unanimous victory over Dominga Olivo at the Island Savings Centre.

Garside isn't unfamiliar with the WIBA title, having held it from November 2006 until December 2008. She lost the belt in a highly controversial bout in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, when the judges awarded a split decision to hometown favourite Irma Balijagic-Adler, despite the fact that Garside knocked down her opponent twice.

Wally Petrovic, fight promoter and owner of Final Round Martial Arts in Duncan, told Garside that he would give her another shot at the WIBA belt.

"I promised her, sooner or later, I'll get you back that world title," he recalled.

Balijagic-Adler was eventually stripped of the title, which is now up for grabs, and Garside's time has come to regain it.

"I think Jeannine should have automatically been given the world title," said Petrovic.

When Petrovic began to plot Garside's return as WIBA title-holder, he offered her a chance to select her opponent. She declined the offer.

"She said, 'I want to be the true champion,'" said Petrovic. "'I don't want to pick who I'm going to fight.'"

WIBA responded by choosing Garbatt as Garside's opposition. Ranked second in the world, Garbatt has knocked out her last three opponents.

"It will be the toughest challenge Jeannine's had to date," said Petrovic. "But do I think Jeannine will beat her? Of course."

Naturally, Garside is thrilled to be returning to the Cowichan Valley, her home and the site of one of her most impressive victories.

"She is extremely excited to be fighting at home again," said Petrovic.

“The bout was rightfully mine when it was stolen from me in Bosnia,’’ said Garside.

Having the chance to fight for it again in her hometown is a dream come true for Garside.

“It’s just awesome. I never would have expected to have that opportunity.’’

"Sweet" Sammy Wins Boxer of the Year Award

Sharp Dressed Men

Paul Mancini, Jordan Jones and Boxer of the Year Award Winner, Samir El Mais

Hunter Trains in Cuba

For the last week of March, 2010, Alison "The Cat" Hunter treated herself to a working holiday, training with Cuban boxing icon Teófilo Stevenson. Accompanying Alison on the trip were London's Debbie Richards and Jaci Bork, and Sarnia's Kathy Ure.

Four Border City Boxers Nominated for the WESPYs

Samir El Mais, Jeannine Garside, Alison Hunter, and Andre Gorges

Female Boxer of the Year:

Jeannine Garside - A two-time professional World Champion, Jeannine defeated Brooklyn's Dominga Olivo for the WBC International Featherweight Title on June 6, 2009 in Vancouver. Jeannine is scheduled to fight for a third World Title next month!

Alison Hunter - Ali had the best year of her ten-year career in 2009, winning the Canadian Championship and the Ringside International Tournament. Ali also represented Canada in Russia and in Ecuador.

Male Boxer of the Year:

Andre Gorges - Junior Welterweight "Gorgeous" Andre Gorges fought six times professionally in 2009, four times in Michigan and twice in Las Vegas, improving his record to 9-1 with six knockouts. Currently ranked #4 in Canada, Andre hopes to fight for the Canadian Championship later this year.

Samir El Mais - In November, 2009 "Sweet" Sammy won the Heavyweight Provincial Gold Medal in his hometown of Windsor by defeating three opponents. Sammy then went on to represent Ontario at the Final Team Selection in Halifax where he became Canadian Heavyweight Champion. He will now represent Canada later this year at the Commonwealth Games in India, as well as tournaments in Germany and South America!

El Mais Wins Canadian Title

February 24, 2010

"Sweet" Sammy El Mais won a 9-4 decision over 2010 Canadian Heavyweight Champion Shavar Henry in Halifax, N.S. last night at the National Elite Final Team Selection. El Mais defeated Henry twice this week to claim the 2010 Canadian Elite 91 kg. Championship.

Also capturing Gold was Border City's Shelby Bialkowski was disappointed to discover that her opponent from Quebec withdrew from Junior Canadian Championships earlier this week. Bialkowski, therefore, earns her third Canadian Championship in the Junior 57 kg. division by way of walkover.

El Mais Defeats Canadian Champion

February 23, 2010

Samir El Mais won an 8-4 decision over National Heavyweight Champion Shavar Henry in Halifax, N.S. last night at the National Elite Final Team Selection.  El Mais must defeat Henry twice to claim the 2010 Canadian Elite 91 kg. Championship.  The two will compete again later this week.

Also representing Border City were Josh Cameron, who dropped a 5-3 decision to Quebec’s Mian Hussain in the 69 kg. division and Alison Hunter who lost a 6-3 decision to London’s Debbie Richards in the 60 kg. division.  Richards is a three-time National Champion.  

The Junior C and Youth Canadian Championships and Elite Final Team Selection takes place from Feb. 23 to Feb. 27, 2010 in Halifax.

January 26, 2009

Cameron Wins in Preliminaries

"Jackknife" Josh Cameron won his first bout at the Canadian Championships in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec this evening. Cameron defeated Quebec's Sebastien Bouchard by a score of 19-4.

Both of Cameron's Border City teammates compete tomorrow: Alison Hunter will face Nova Scotia's Stephanie Walker in the Elite 57 kg Female Category, and Samir El Mais will face Quebec's Abokan Bokpe in the Elite 91 kg Male Category.

January 24, 2009

Border City Boxers Depart for National Championships

The Border City Boxing Club will be sending three boxers to represent Ontario in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec this week at the 2010 Canadian Championships.
The Ontario Team includes veterans Alison Hunter (Defending 2009 National Champion) in the Elite 57 kg Female Category and Josh Cameron in the Elite 69 kg Male Category, as well as Current Provincial Heavyweight Champion Samir El Mais, who will be making his first trip to the National Championships in the Elite 91 kg Male Category.

A fourth member of the Border City Team who was scheduled to represent Ontario in the Elite 75 kg Male Category at the Nationals was Pawel Zep. Unfortunately, Zep recently suffered a hand injury and is unable to compete at the Championships.

The Nationals run from January 26-30, 2010.

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