For the second time in 2018 pro boxing came to the Langley Events Centre. And for the second time this year the show was headlined by Alisah McPhee, challenging for a Canadian Championship.
However, this is where the comparisons end. Last May McPhee lost a decision challenging Shelly Barnett for the vacant Bantamweight title.
Judy Pereira of Winnipeg was coming in hoping to do what Barnett did last May. This time McPhee was in better shape and was fighting at 115 lbs., the Super Flyweight limit. The fight was very competitive and the score sheets showed the fight was a draw after six rounds.
McPhee’s trainer and corner James Allison told his charge she need to win the last two rounds to secure the title. He did not see the score, he just had well honed instincts. At age 36, Allison has been in boxing most of his life, starting in the sport at age eight.
McPhee put it together and won the last two rounds as instructed and with two judges scoring 77-75 McPhee it was the two rounds needed.
Both McPhee and Pereira boxed very well and were evenly matched all the way around. This was the main event of an exciting night of boxing.
The semi main event saw Aman Aujla, 193 lbs., make it 2-0-0 with another first round knockout win. He was way too much for opponent and last-minute substitute Nick Coughran, 195 lbs., of Seattle.
“Aujla looked great it was just too bad he did not get tested,” says Dave Allison who was co-promoting the event. “Next time out we will have Aman tested, I am sure he is up to it.”
Julian Kim, 159 lbs., was in against Irish Jay Kelly, 163 lbs., of Ottawa. Kelly was a veteran of nine pro fights and had won his last two outings. In contrast to Kelly’s active career Kim entered the ring at 1-0-0 and had not been in the ring in 18 months.
It showed in the first two minutes when Kelly was taking the fight to Kim, who looked very vulnerable. Kim finally woke up and unloaded on Kelly with a barrage that ended with a set left hook to the body that dropped Kelly. Kim followed with a head shot that was an illegal blow.
This resulted in a ruling by Ref Joel Scobie, who deemed the fight No Contest. Allison says a rematch could follow.
The main event of the amateur undercard was a much-anticipated fight between Cody Robertson of Ibarra Boxing and Manraj Dhanoa of Bisla Boxing. The fight lived up to expectation and was a great fight, with both displaying great skill. It was very close, however, Robertson’s lack of activity of late showed and Dhanoa was very sharp winning a very close five-round decision and with it the BC Amateur Championship.
In attendance were over 1,000 fight fans, and the crowd was very loud and engaged.
Next up is a February 1 card at the Cascades for Clash 54.
“Overall it was a great night at the fights,” says Allison. “After 53 shows at the Cascades and now two pro events at the LEC, Langley is without a doubt the centre of the Boxing Universe in B.C.”
