Fivestar Boxing fighters display grit and toughness at Diamond Belt competition in Alberta

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fivestar Boxing Academy athletes displayed grit and toughness competing at the Diamond Belt competition held on May 25th in Lacombe, Alberta, at the Gary Moe Sportsplex.

The gym sent five boxers to compete, with Dyson Felix, Mason Tetreault, Corbin Jung, Wyatt Bowler, and Lane Harris going a combined 4-1 in their bouts.

According to Fivestar head coach Justin Donally, the team has sent fighters to the Shadow Box club-hosted event three times.

Donally says he struck up a friendship with Shadow Box owners Trevor and Dana McKinnon when they brought fighters up to Fort St. John for B.C. Golden Gloves in 2018.

“They hadn’t put on a show until they came to one of my cards,” said Donnally. “They liked how I offered the VIP experience to everybody. But they are just great people. We would always talk, and our guys would fight each other.”

“It’s in a hockey rink. There were a few hundred people, and it was a good crowd; they treat everyone fantastic.”

Lane Harris stood out among the fighters from Fort St. John, winning his bout against ELITE national gold medalist Erik Zienowicz.

Now on a seven-fight win streak, Harris’ victory over Zienowicz comes after a split decision win over ELITE silver medalist Noah Athouse in Fort St. John on April 27th.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” said Donally. “Lane is constantly pushing himself. He’s up at 6 a.m., running laps, sprinting, and working on strength and conditioning.”

“Now that he’s getting to fight these top competitors, he’s winning and doing a great job. His boxing is fantastic.”

Donally was just as impressed at the performance of Wyatt Bowler, who was fighting illness before his bout.

Although Bowler lost, Donally says he showed a lot of heart.

“We almost didn’t let him fight,” said Donally. “When you get sick with a cough and stuff, it’s difficult to control your cardio. He didn’t perform at 100 per cent, but I’m still happy with what he did.”

For more information on Fivestar Boxing Academy, visit the club’s Facebook page.

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca