Boxing returns to Barrie next weekend, this time heading to the big venue on the south side of the city.
United Boxing Promotions, an Ontario-based professional boxing company that began in 2010, is holding another event in Barrie and is bringing the hometown boy Mark Smither back for the show.
The show happens at the Sadlon Arena on Saturday, July 8 and the owner of United Boxing says he's certain it won’t be the last in the city.
Promoting six to eight events a year, United Boxing Promotions owner Tyler Buxton told BarrieToday they are now holding events at the Pickering Casino Resort and CAA Centre in Brampton.
“A Barrie summer event is becoming part of our yearly schedule,” said Buxton.“We did our first event last July in Barrie with Mark Smither as the headline. It was a massive success. Mark has a great fan base in Barrie which always supports him wherever he fights.
"It’s nice to give them a hometown show.”
Buxton says boxing has seen a huge comeback because of social media, since any boxer can share their stories and experiences with the world.
“When you look at our stable of United Boxing Promotions fighters, the list of interesting stories is endless,” said Buxton.
The last event the company held in the city was in July 2022 at the East Bayfield Community Centre. That card saw Smither successfully defend his Canadian Super Lightweight title in front of a raucous crowd.
“Most people say that it feels like a Vegas fight night. The lights, the ring, the entrances, the fights, the whole package,” said Buxton.
With many people that night dressing up for the event much like is seen for the major cards in Vegas, Smither agrees.
“It was great to see. It’s not like hockey or baseball which have a large fanbase here in town, but it was a great first crowd,” said Smither. “In the U.S. or the U.K., that's how it is always — fans get decked out, loud and make a big night of it. I would love to see that happen in Ontario and particularly Barrie.”
Smither is the first Canadian champion to emerge from local Uptown Boxing, which is located at 285 Dunlop St. W.
With his spotless 11-0-0 record, Smither will face Mexico's Jose Jasso (12-2-1) for the IBO Americas Super Light Heavyweight Title.
This is a match the 30-year-old local pugilist says he has been looking forward to in his career.
“Fighting for this legit North American title will put me into the world rankings,” Smither said. “It's a big deal for me personally as it will get me that international recognition I want.”
Smither says he was happy he got to fight in front of friends and family last year at East Bayfield, but is very excited to be in the city’s big arena in just a few days.
“East Bayfield was great and a good test for future shows. It pretty much sold out and a lot of local businesses got behind it,” Smither said. “Being at Sadlon (Arena), in front of what we feel is going to be 3,500 to 4,000 people, is going to prove that Barrie is a boxing market and has the fans behind the sport.”
The card will have a double main event and several matches before that.
Tickets for July 8 are available by clicking here.
