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Ryan gets ready to rumble

Cranbrook boxer looking forward to tournament this weekend.
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Cranbrook Eagles Boxing Club athletes Dylan Clark (left) and Shannon Ryan (right) spar during a training session as they prepare for the upcoming B.C. Golden Gloves tournament.

After making her hometown debut in the ring a few months ago, Shannon Ryan is looking forward to competing again in front of family and friends for the B.C. Golden Gloves boxing tournament this weekend.

Ryan, a 16 year old boxer in Grade 11 at Mount Baker Secondary School, is currently undefeated in three fights, after stepping into the ring for the first time in the Rumble in the Rockies tournament last fall at the Eagles Hall.

Since then, she’s appeared in four fights and is undefeated in all of them—albeit they’ve all been against the same fighter.

Ryan is one of four local fighters with the Eagles Boxing Club hoping to get in a few bouts during the Golden Gloves tournament.

However, Eagles Boxing Club coach Bill Watson has yet to set up a match for her, but hopes to get her in the ring if he can get a female boxer for the weekend event.

“It’s just so much more of a thrill when it’s in your own town,” said Ryan. “I’m really excited.”

Ryan’s three fights have been against the same opponent in American boxer Savannah Riggles, who fights with the Flathead Boxing Club out of Kalispell.

“Although I knew she was ready to get in the ring, she didn’t feel like she was ready,” said Watson, “so this year, we managed to get her in the ring for that fight in Cranbrook and her first bout, she took on someone that was older and heavier and we won the fight. It did tons for her confidence and she couldn’t wait to get back in the ring after that.

“The next three bouts were against the same girl. She stopped her twice out of those three bouts and its time for us to move on.”

Ryan has noticed improvement in her boxing, especially on the strategy side of things when she’s in the heat of the moment.

“My first fight, I just threw myself out there and just ran at her,’ said Ryan. “But as the fights progressed, I’ve learned. You can’t just throw your punches or you’re going to get punched back.

“It’s really nice to slow down and be able to think in the ring.”

The B.C. Golden Gloves tournament kicks off on Saturday this weekend at the Cranbrook Curling Centre.



Trevor Crawley

About the Author: Trevor Crawley

Trevor Crawley has been a reporter with the Cranbrook Townsman and Black Press in various roles since 2011.
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