OXFORD – Humans have been boxing for at least 5,000 years.
A few more humans took to the sport Tuesday night with the grand opening of the Oxford Boxing Club in Oxford Nova Scotia.
“Boxing gives kids self-discipline and it gives them life skill,” said Bob Ward, owner/operator of the Oxford Boxing Club. “There isn’t so much for the kids, so I figured it’s something that can help the kids out, and help the community out.”
Ward boxed for four years in the 1970’s.
“I was in 17 fights,” said Ward.
Originally from Cape Breton, Ward lived in Chester for 20 years, and now lives in Oxford.
Also training and helping to teach at the Oxford Boxing Club is Dylan Ellis who lives just a few doors down from the new boxing club.
Now 23-years-old, Ellis started boxing at the age of 12 in Amherst under the tutelage of Roger Dorrington.
“Boxing has really helped me live a clean lifestyle and it’s taught me that the harder you work the further you get.”
After Dorrington’s club closed its doors, Ellis trained in Truro for one year, and now trains in Moncton.
He is an amateur fighter in the Elite Men’s Open Division, where he has accumulated a record of 12-4, and, also, won two Maritimes Golden Gloves titles.
“It’s nice to see a boxing club here in Oxford,” said Ellis. “I did a lot of traveling to train and if kids don’t have to travel to Truro or Moncton to train, it’s a big convenience.”
For now, they are training on Tuesday nights only.
“We teach the basics and, hopefully, over time, we’ll get a ring for sparring,” said Ward.
He says people can train at their own pace and work their way up.
“All you need is a mouth piece and hand wraps, which you can buy at Walmart,” said Ward. “We have gloves, but if you have your own gloves you can bring them.”
The Oxford Boxing Club is located on Rideau Street, where the Oxford Journal used to be.
