“Steeltown Boxing makes it easy to find top prospects,” explained Buxton. “Bob thoroughly prepares his guys as amateurs, giving them the boxing IQ needed to jump seamlessly into the pro ranks. Kevin and Josh are both blue chip talents with bright futures in the sport. I’m proud to say I’m their manager.”
On March 28, Higson faces the toughest test of his young career in once-beaten Torontonian Junmar Emon (6-1-0, 2KOs) in an eight round, light middleweight affair. Higson comes into the fight ranked #9 and #7 by the National Championships of Canada (NCC) and Canadian Professional Boxing Council (CPBC), respectively. Last November, he scored a wide unanimous decision over rugged Mexican journeyman Erick Mireles (8-7-0, 3KOs), catapulting himself into the Canadian championship equation. Emon is also a legitimate national contender. Fight fans still talk about his spirited clash with Canadian light middleweight champ Brandon Cook in 2012, resulting in Emon’s first loss as a pro. Since losing to Cook, the Torontonian has racked up four straight victories, including a split decision win over fan favorite Jeremy Abbot (3-4-0, 2KOs) in 2013.
After two wins away from home in 2014, O’Reilly makes his Ontario debut on March 28 against Brazilian veteran Diego Vicente Perez (8-6-1, 6KOs) in a super featherweight six rounder. O’Reilly scored shutout unanimous decision victories in his first two fights, defeating James Owens (5-19-0, 2KOs) of Wisconsin and Michael Gargouri (0-3-1) of Quebec to kick start his career.
Higson-Emon and O’Reilly-Perez are part of a seven fight card presented by United Boxing Promotions. The event also features the return of undefeated Orangeville featherweight Logan McGuinness (20-0-1, 9KOs) against Argentina’s Luis Armando Juarez (19-8-2, 4KOs) in a ten rounder; Steve “Orangeville Express” Franjic (12-1-1, 7KOs) against Argentina’s Ricardo Marcelo Ramallo (16-6-1, 11KOs) in eight round light heavyweight action; the return of Canadian heavyweight legend Donovan “Razor” Ruddock (38-5-1, 29KOs) against Ray Olubowale (10-6-1, 7KOs); Oakville middleweight Ryan Young (6-0-0, 6KOs) in a six rounder with fellow power puncher Bruno Leonardo Romay (8-3-0, 8KOs) of Argentina; and prospect Tim Cronin (3-1-0) against Travis Connors (7-3-0, 4KOs).
Tickets starting at $20 are available via the Hershey Centre Box Office and www.ticketmaster.ca.