LAC LA BICHE – Boxing fans had plenty to cheer about as they watched young amateur boxers from the Lac La Biche area, Alberta and Saskatchewan, compete at the annual Spring Break Up event.
The fight card, which is hosted by the Lac La Biche Boxing Club, was held inside the community hall of Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre on May 3. The event featured 15 bouts that took place throughout the evening.
Jeremy Trimble, a coach with the Lac La Biche Boxing Club, stated that officials with the club were very happy with the outcome of the event.
“We had a great mixture of experienced boxers, and debut boxers. All of the boxers came to compete and did their best,” Trimble said, adding, having a large show up to watch the fights was also great.
According to Trimble, seven boxers from the Lac La Biche club fought in the 2025 Spring Break Up event. These boxers were Rory Mcharg, Bryden Cardinal and Deshawn Howse from Kikino, Jaydin Blood and Rio Ladouceur from Heart Lake First Nation, as well as Matthew Kruk, and Josh Kamke, who are from the Lac La Biche area.
Ladouceur
Ladouceur showed a lot of growth in his bout against Jon Mercer from Lacombe’s Shadow Box academy.
“As of late, Rio [Ladouceur] has showed some improvement and maturity in the ring, so we were happy with his performance capturing his second win this year,” said Trimble.
Mcharg
Mcharg boxed in his debut bout against Charlie Jaworek of the Edmonton-based Cougar Club. Despite being nervous, Mcharg demonstrated considerable courage and overcame his fears and doubts to leave the contest victorious.
“Not the most technical win, but certainly a great step towards a bright future in boxing,” the boxing coach stated.
Cardinal and Deshawn
Cardinal stepped into the ring to take on Humble Boxing’s Pierce Graham, walking away with a victory, while Deshawn Howse boxed and lost in a rematch against Yuzi Sra of the St. Albert based Marshall Boxing Club.
Kamke
The close match between Josh Kamke and Cold Lake Titans boxer Keaton Matchatis was a highlight for him and Ken Scallion as coaches of the Lac La Biche Boxing Club.
Kamke, he said, has been working incredibly hard to improve, and has adjusted his training due to injuries.
“Unfortunately, the split decision didn’t go his way, but it was a very close bout and the best I’ve ever seen him box to date, so I think it shows a lot of potential for future success,” Trimble stated.
Blood and Kruk
The bouts fought by Jaydin Blood and Matt Kruk had to be stopped, according to Trimble.
Blood took on Ayad Al-Gburi, while Kruk had a very intense match against Cold Lake Titans coach Patrick Stewart Skani. Blood, he said, showed amazing leadership and courage to step into the ring. However, the contest was stopped for safety reasons.
Kruk took an extraordinary amount of punishment to the body earlier in the first round in the bout against Skani without showing any signs of damage.
“After the second exchange, I think Matt was fighting more in survival mode rather than boxing, falling off the game plan . . . understandably, Patrick is an intelligent boxer, and had a few pounds on Matt. The bout was stopped but I was happy with Matt’s effort and know he will be excited to box again soon,” Trimble stated.
Annual event
Spring Break Up is put on annually as a fundraiser for the Lac La Biche Boxing Club, with money raised from the event allowing the club to compete throughout the year, but also purchase protective equipment, gloves, boxing boots, as well as insurance, fuel, accommodations, and team meals.
For Trimble, the success of the annual event is based on bringing people together, giving young athletes a platform to compete, and inspiring young people to try boxing. For some of the non-competitive fighters in the Lac La Biche boxing community, Spring Break Up gives them a chance to be involved.
“The event is always successful, and we always have an incredible amount of support from Lac La Biche. I think seeing that support, and showcasing the Boxing Canada community, is the biggest success,” he said.
With the most recent Spring Break Up behind them, members of the Lac La Biche Boxing Club will be competing in a few more events before summer. The club plans to compete in two more fight cards before the end of the season, with one taking place on June 7 at the Cougar Club in Edmonton, and the second being held on June 21 in Cold Lake.
