POST-EVENT RELEASE: Boxing Ontario Hosts “Return to Competition” Event in Toronto

TORONTO, ON. Boxing Ontario hosted the first amateur combat sport event in Ontario since COVID-19 on Saturday, October 16, 2021.

The “Return to Competition” event featured 12 thrilling bouts at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel and live-streamed to boxing fans online on the Millions platform.

“Thank you to all members of Boxing Ontario for your dedication and commitment to our sport. This weekend, we successfully and safely returned to competition in our province, finally seeing the athletes back in the ring following a 20-month journey of uncertainty,” says Boxing Ontario President, Jennifer Huggins.

The Return to Competition Test Event represented the first competition for Boxing Ontario in 20 months since COVID health and safety protocols were first implemented by the government. To ensure the safety of all the event participants and the community, strict public health and safety measures were conducted at the event, including proof of full vaccination for all athletes, coaches, officials, and staff; COVID rapid testing for all participants on event day; no spectators; and masks for all event attendees, unless athletes were engaged in athletic activity. This “Test Event” will help determine the best practices for future competitions in the province, with sanctions expected to resume this November 2021.

Thank you to all the athletes for their hard work in preparing for this event and for putting on a fantastic show to kick off the return of boxing in Ontario. A huge thank you to all the coaches, officials, doctors, event volunteers, and Boxing Ontario board members and staff for their support and teamwork that made this event a success.

On the day following, Sunday, October 17, 2021, the Elite Male National Training Camp commenced at the Olympic Training Center/Institute National Sportif in Montreal, Quebec. The four selected Ontario Elite Male athletes, Hunter Lee, Graeme Matthews, Tiago Balteiro, and Isiah Tottle-Flood are accompanied by Coaches Richard Souce and Gordon Apolloni. The Youth and Women’s Elite Camps will follow in late October and November with Coaches Miranda Kamal and Rick Cadilha accompanying the Youth team, and Jason Burgoyne and Erin Forsythe accompanying the Elite Female team.

It was a busy day as Boxing Ontario also hosted their first hybrid Annual General Meeting at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel and on Zoom. Huggins released the following statement following the adjournment of the AGM:

“A special thank you as well to those who participated in our first hybrid AGM. The new format and online voting posed challenges, however, we are committed to learning and always doing better! We are so grateful for your support and patience as we work through and improve processes. It is an honour to be working alongside our membership, toward the success of boxing in our province, country, and ultimately on the international stage.

We are grateful to our Board Members, Lee Smith and Fred Ten Eyck, for their support throughout the past two years and their continued commitment to our sport.

Congratulations, Jay Corcoran, on your election onto the Board of Directors. This election brought together an incredibly strong group of nominees, which resulted in a tie for the second board position. Once again, we look to the members to make their votes, and support the future and growth of Boxing Ontario.

Boxing brings together a remarkable community with one common passion. We’re inspired to grow with our members, board, and office team, focusing on a strong and unified pathway forward.”

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About Boxing Ontario:

Boxing Ontario is the only governing body for Olympic-Style Boxing in Ontario. As such, it is affiliated with Boxing Canada (CABA), the International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, & Sport. Founded in 1972, Boxing Ontario encompasses over 100 clubs, 2,500 competitors, and more than 12,000 recreational members.

Media Contact:

Rebecca Freeman
Boxing Ontario, Communications
[email protected]
416-426-7250