Jumping into the ring

YOUNG BOXERS. Bala Youth Boxing Club members Lee Tombs, 16, Caleb Luksa, 15, and Bryan Black, 15, have entered the Ontario Winter Games in March. Photo by Karen Longwell

MUSKOKA — Three local youths will enter the boxing ring at the Ontario Winter Games this March.

The deadline to enter the games was last week. The boxers, who train at the Bala Youth Boxing Club, are getting ready for a bout in the event, said the club’s head coach Lisle Bynoe.

The Ontario Winter Games will be held in venues across Muskoka March 4-7. The boxing bouts are scheduled to take place at The Rosseau, at Red Leaves resort in Minett, March 5 and 6.

Boxers ages 15 to 17 years old who are in good standing with Boxing Ontario and have parental approval can enter the Ontario Winter Games.

Bryan Black, 15, from Bracebridge, Bala resident Caleb Luksa, 15, and Lee Tombs, 16, also from Bala, have entered the competition, said Bynoe.

Black, a Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School student, said his reason for entering the games was simple.

“I like fighting,” he said.

With approximately a year of training in Bala, Black said he will have his first bout at the Ontario games.

Black said he joined the club to stay in shape during the winter months and for endurance training. He is also a mountain bike racer during the warmer months.

Luksa, a St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School student, has one bout under his belt and is looking forward to participating.

“I am excited about the games,” he said while training last week.

Club members train twice a week at the Bala Community Centre, which is transformed into a boxing club for the youths. A boxing ring is set up on the stage. Training involves hitting a boxing bag, sparring and warm-up exercises.

Luksa has been with the Bala club for two and a half years and also plays defence with the North Muskoka Lightning bantam hockey team.

While Luksa lost his first bout, he said it was a good experience.

“I learned a lot from it,” Luksa said. He hopes to get more experience.

Tombs is also a St. Dominic student and has been training in Bala for more than two years, he said. He has completed two bouts and the games are a great opportunity for more experience, Tombs said.

“It will be fun and exciting and a chance to put my ability to the test,” he said.

Training hard in preparation for the event, Tombs believes he will do well at the Ontario games.

While Tombs lost his two bouts, Bynoe chalks it up to experience.

“You get there (to a bout), you do well,” said Bynoe.

The Bala Youth Boxing Club attracts both boys and girls, ages 10 to 18 years old, from across Muskoka because it is the only club in the region, said Bynoe.

The club is registered with Boxing Ontario.

Female boxers will participate in the Ontario Winter Games, but unfortunately there are no girls currently at the Bala club, said Bynoe. Girls are welcome and encouraged to join, said Bynoe.

Bynoe said there are plenty of girls in boxing at other clubs. Female boxing will be scheduled for the 2012 Olympics for the first time.

The club meets every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bala Community Centre.