It wasn't your average afternoon at Zeus Fight Science on Aug. 30.
More than two dozen spectators filled the boxing gym in 100 Mile House and a Kamloops news camera captured the action as WBC Western Canadian cruiserweight champion Ken Huber stepped in the ring for a four-round sparring session with Zeus Fight Science owner/coach Kelly Ricketts. He was looking to fine tune a few things ahead of an upcoming bout for a national title.
Huber is fighting London, Ont., boxer Renie Placid at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre in Langley on Sept. 13 as part of the first WBC Canadian Championship tournament.
Huber's is one of 10 fights on the card, which features boxers represented by the Ontario Boxing Association and the BC Combative Sports Association – members of the Canadian Fight Sports Association, which has recently joined the World Boxing Council (WBC).
“I've never met him,” Huber says of Placid.
“I just know he's the best in the East and I'm the best in the West. We're going to meet in the ring and see what happens.”
Huber, 29, was born and raised in 100 Mile House and now calls Kamloops home. He operates a boxing gym there with his father, who, like a lot of Huber's family, still resides in 100 Mile House. Huber's amateur record is 27-4 and he's been fighting since he was 24.
“This is the biggest title I've fought for so far,” Huber says.
“I fought in the Canadian Nationals in Cape Breton, N.S., for Team BC. I lost a close decision. I was pretty upset about that.
"This is my second chance at a national title and I want it bad. I've been training hard. I've been working really hard for it. I'm visualizing the win.”
Frank Araujo has been training Huber for the past year. “Tough as nails” is how he describes his fighter.
“He has a big heart. He won't quit. You got to cut his head off for him to quit.
"He's beaten the best. He is the best. Each opponent he's had, they've all been great battles and he's come out on top.”
Araujo also admits they don't know much about Huber's opponent, but says Huber's fight plan stays the same.
“In the first round, we'll feel the guy out and see what he's about. Then it's business.”
Huber sees himself coming forward and pursuing his opponent in the ring on Friday night.
“I'm a pressure fighter and I like to brawl. When I'm challenged, I fight back. I'm not a stick-and-move kind of fighter.”
On Aug. 30, Ricketts and Huber put on a spirited, sportsmanlike and technical display of sparring, which is what Huber was looking for in his return to 100 Mile House.
“He's a top notch boxer, a top notch coach,” Huber says of Ricketts, who is pushing 60-years-old and still holds his own in the ring.
“I have trouble getting challenging sparring at home and I need to travel around and get what I can where I can from better boxers.”
Ricketts will be in Huber's corner in Langley on Sept. 13.
