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Landon Broome admitted he was a little scared both times he has stepped into the ring for a boxing fight.
Those nerves may be gone by the end of next weekend. The 15-year-old Brandonite has three fights lined up in an eight-day span. He’ll take on fellow Brandon Boxing Club member Mason Bone in today’s St. Patrick’s Day Punch-Out card, which begins at the Victoria Inn’s Imperial Ballroom at 7:30 p.m., as well as take part in an exhibition fight on Sunday in Regina and a sanctioned bout on March 24 in Grand Forks, N.D.
It’s a whirlwind tour, but necessary if Broome wants to compete in the national championships. The six-foot-four, 195-pound boxer needs five fights under his belt in order to be eligible for the national tournament, which runs from March 28 to April 1 in Edmonton.
"It’s difficult finding opponents in his age and weight," said Brandon Boxing Club owner Noel Harding, who is coaching Broome. "He’s also had some demonstrations in front of a crowd so I have faith in opening him up and taking him to nationals and watching him get a medal."
Broome’s interest in boxing came about quite innocently. He came by the club in February 2017 to work out so he could get in better shape for volleyball season. He currently plays middle for the Brandon Volleyball Club 16-and-under boys’ Blue team.
The more he trained in the gym, the more he liked boxing and now prefers it to volleyball. The Grade 10 Vincent Massey student entered provincials in February at Shilo with the hopes of earning his way to nationals. Broome dominated Aaron Maytwashing of Winnipeg’s Alliance club in their junior C boys’ novice provincial final, earning a technical knockout in 25 seconds.
"It was a whole lot of stress for not much," Broome said. "I thought it would be a lot more challenging. I was pretty scared going into it because every fight is pretty scary to me. I went in there and saw what he was going to do and he wasn’t doing much so I started pounding on him."
For someone his size and age, Broome admits that his reach is one of his biggest advantages in the ring. He uses his jab a lot and works to keep his opponent from getting inside on him.
It was Broome’s size that immediately impressed Harding and made him think Broome could excel in boxing. Harding just didn’t think it would happen this quickly.
However, it’s Broome’s dedication to improve himself that Harding believes is the reason he’s pushing so hard to be on the national scene just over a year since he started training in the sport.
"His jaw has gotten better as in he’s developed the ability to take a punch better," Harding said. "People are born with that, but you still have to harness or learn that skill and you have to get hit a bit. He takes punches from fully grown men on the regular. I’m confident in him taking a punch from any kid his age.
"He’s improved with his in-ring moving, his movement is so much more fluid, he moves around like a veteran boxer because he is so athletic and he does utilize his reach very well. He fully extends his punches, he keeps his chin down and doesn’t allow a lot of time to get hit. I’ve been really impressed with his dedication. You put the time in and he’s working hard, and you’ll get the results."
Although he doesn’t need to win his bouts to go to nationals — the victory at provincials gave him the opportunity already — Broome is taking these three fights in the next two weeks seriously. He views each bout as an opportunity to grow and improve for the next time he steps in the ring.
"I just hope I’ll be a lot more confident in the ring in front of a crowd and work on things that I’m not too good with," he said of what he wants to accomplish today. "Just work on things so I can improve on them so when I get to nationals I’m in the best shape."
Broome’s fight will be one of at least eight on the card. Rush seating for the boxing event is available for $20 per person. The doors open at 6 p.m., with the fights starting at 7:30.
» cjaster@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @jasterch
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