TRENTON
When the Albion Amateur Boxing Club holds a card a week from Saturday, there’ll be a handful of local fighters making their ring debut.
“Excited, nervous, mentally preparing,” said 41-year-old Shauna Fukes of her approach to her first-ever foray into the ring.
So, what’s the worst thing that could happen?
“My worst nightmare would be getting in there and panicking,” added the New Glasgow woman.
“I’m not good with crowds, so it would be not being able to get out there and do what I’m supposed to do.”
Fukes isn’t sure if she will remain in competitive boxing beyond her first match.
“I set a goal six months ago to do this, and I’m going to achieve that goal. After that, I can decide to do it, or I can decide not to do it.”
Tickets for the 12-bout card are available at Big Al’s Convenience store in New Glasgow, or at the door. They can also be purchased from boxing club members.
The doors at Summer Street Industries will open at 6 p.m., with the boxing getting started one hour later.
It’s not just Fukes who will be heading into unchartered waters; Albion head coach Al Archibald has three other fighters ready to get a taste of boxing for real. Ethan Pratt and Ryan Perry will both be making their debuts, as will Carson Scholes.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him fight,” Archibald said of Scholes, a 12-year-old who joined the Albion club in the middle of last season.
“He’s only a little guy, 68 pounds. It’s hard to match up somebody for him to fight, but we did.”
The local boxers always look forward to stepping into the ring with a supportive home crowd in their corner (the Albion club also holds a card every spring).
“It’s going to be an exciting night and we’ve been training hard for it,” Archibald said.
“Especially the guys who’ve never had any fights, they’re really excited to have their first fights here at home.”
