A pair of Salmon Arm pugilists represented their boxing club and community well during a recent bout in the Lower Mainland. 

On March 15, Whizbang Boxing fighters Austin Beasley and Houston Rampton were at Vancouver's Eastside Boxing to compete in the St. Paddy's Day Showdown. The two stepped into the ring with confidence and came out victorious, said Whizbang's Shelley Desautels, with Beasley earning Fight of the Night and Rampton being named Best Fighter of the Night, "highlighting the skill and heart Whizbang athletes bring to every bout."

Whizbang Boxing is preparing for its second club card, the Interior Series 2, which is set to take place at Song Sparrow Hall on Saturday, April 12. The event will feature athletes from across B.C., squaring off in what promises to be an exciting night of Olympic-style boxing.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to see a couple female bouts on the card, several first-time competitors, and quite a few youth showcasing their skills,鈥� said Desautels. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a great night for boxing fans and for our community.鈥�

Whizbang hosted its first Interior Series event last October. Shelley and Shawn Desautels started the series with the desire to give Interior boxers more opportunities to gain experience in the ring. The October event benefited boxers and a pair of local non-profits, the Shuswap Hospice Society and the Shuswap Children鈥檚 Association, which received a portion of the proceeds. For the April event, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the Shuswap Family Centre.

鈥淲e had a great turnout at our last event with nothing but positive feedback,鈥� says Shelley. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really looking forward to hosting another unforgettable night.鈥�

Tickets, $35, are available at . 鈥淲e had a great turnout at our last event with nothing but positive feedback,鈥� says Desautels. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really looking forward to hosting another unforgettable night.鈥�