Fighting out of Cranbrook’s own House of Pain Combat Academy, Donavon Hack once again proved that hard work, skill and determination pay off when it comes to being tested in the cage. For the fourth time Donavon stepped into the cage and showed that he is a force to be reckoned with as an amateur MMA fighter. Donavon faced Andrew Marsden in a dramatic three round battle and won a split decision in a bloody war.
The fight was a true grinder’s battle with both men going for broke in an attempt to find glory. Hack cleanly won the first round, but Marsden came back in the second rocking Hack with a hard punch to the nose. However Hack remained composed and overcame a tough round to squeeze out the victory at the end of a hard fought third round.
Both men showed great heart and great respect and the announcers were commenting on the pace and grittiness of the fight. Hack now has a perfect 4 and 0 amateur record and will be going on to bigger and better things. If Hack continues working this hard who knows how far this young man will go in the world of MMA.
As a side note, Donovan Hack, not being one to just sit back and rest after a hard won victory went to Lethbridge AB one week later to participate in a grappling tournament held at Lee Mein’s Canadian Martial Arts Centre. Donovan took a bronze medal and fellow House of Pain fighters also took home some hardware; Curtis Blackmore won silver, Mike Seguin won bronze, Dillon Hack took gold and Logan Burke won silver.
House of Pain Coach Mike Corrigan obviously has the recipe for success, look for the House of Pain fighters to show their mettle in Cranbrook’s upcoming Battle for the Border 3.