On Friday, September 9, KO Boxing Promotions returns to the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, for a big seven fight card, headlined by Cam O’Connell (11-0-1, 7KOS) of Red Deer, ranked the #3 lightweight in the country by the Canadian Professional Boxing Council (CPBC), and Olympian Norbert Kalucza (11-1-0, 6KOs) of Budapest, Hungary. After suffering his first and only loss to Dai Davis of Wales, Kalucza will be eager to score an upset and prove he can win on foreign soil. The semi-main event features welterweights Samuel Vargas (25-2-1, 13KOs) of Toronto and Ivan Pereyra (20-7-0, 14KOs) of Torreon, Mexico, in an intriguing eight round tilt. Vargas is ranked #6 by the World Boxing Association and is the reigning North American Boxing Association champion. Pereyra is the former World Boxing Federation Intercontinental champion.
On the undercard, fans will see some of western Canada’s most promising prospects take the next steps in their budding careers. In light heavyweight action, MMA standout turned undefeated boxer Ryan Ford (7-0-0, 5KOs) of Edmonton takes on former WBC Mundo Hispano champion Victor Palacios (13-12-2, 8KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico, in a six round clash. With big wins overseas, Ford has surged up the Canadian rankings, currently sitting #3 on the CPBC’s list.
In one of three heavyweight bouts slated for the show, former CFL football player Adam Braidwood (4-1-0) of Victoria, British Columbia, looks to build upon what’s been a successful transition to boxing in his six round bout with Adam Querido (2-0-0, 1KOs) of Vancouver, British Columbia. The fight is a must win for both men if they intend to go far in the Canadian fight scene.
In another heavyweight contest, Brad Switzer (1-0-0, 1KOs) of Edmonton, Alberta, takes on Dean Storey (9-16-2, 5KOs) of Moncton, New Brunswick, for four rounds or less. Switzer made his successful pro debut in June against Patrick Graham (6-8-1, 5KOs). Storey might be an underdog in this fight, but he’s a well-traveled veteran who can never be taken lightly.
In the third heavyweight offering of the night, hard-hitting Stan Surmacz Ahumada (5-0-0, 4KOs) of Edmonton, who has won four of his last five fights by stoppage, meets former King of the Cage Canadian champ and UFC veteran Tim Hague (1-0-0 1KOs) in a four rounder.
Last but not least, three time Canadian title challenger Anthony Lessard (9-9-2, 5KO) of Edmonton and Dia Grant (1-8-0, 1KOs) of Kelowna, British Columbia, will meet in a super middleweight rematch. In their previous contest, Lessard came away with a narrow points victory.
Tickets are going fast and can be purchased at EventBrite.ca.