Irishman aiming for future Canadian boxing championship

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/10/2016 (3470 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paul Riggs has an Irish boxing championship to his name.

Now he’s looking at adding a Canadian one and he hopes it won’t take as long to become the best amateur boxer in his weight class in this country.

Riggs reached the Irish final in 2006 and 2007 but lost both times, including by one point in the latter year. In 2008, nothing could stop him as the then 14-year-old ran the table and earned his crown. Unfortunately for Riggs, he was injured while training for the cadet championship and missed that and an event between Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

He has moved to Canada since then and is training again, this time at the Brandon Boxing Club.

“It’s great to be back and I’m hoping now to win nationals here,” the 23-year-old Dublin product said. “That’s me goal to become Canadian national champion by the end of next year. I want one Canadian and one Irish and then I’d be happy to turn professional. I’m not doing that until I get the Canadian national.”

Boxing is in Riggs’ blood. His older brother, Christopher, who also is a boxer, got Riggs into the activity when he was 11 years old. Their uncle, Mark, is a professional boxer.

However, the injury cost Riggs more than the cadet and four nations competition. The three-time Dublin champion ended up on a six-year break and eventually went looking for a new home when he couldn’t find a job. He went to a job fair and elected to come to Brandon to work with Maple Leaf when he was 19. He’s been happy there ever since.

“I wasn’t doing much and had the opportunity to go to a job exhibition, me and me brother, and he went to Australia and I came here because I visited me uncle (earlier) and said I’d like to come back,” Riggs said. “I came back when I was 19 going on 20 and I got my visa and haven’t been back. I haven’t even been back for a visit. I love it here.”

Eventually Riggs started to train at the Brandon Boxing Club. Last year he took a fight at a card in the Wheat City on three weeks notice and lost in a split decision.

He’s picked up his training — which he has an all-or-nothing mentality about — and will be the main event at the Brandon club’s Halloween Hustle 3 card, which is being held at the Victoria Inn’s Imperial Ballroom on Saturday. Tickets cost $20 and the first bell rings at 7 p.m.

For Riggs, it’s an opportunity to prepare for his road to fight for a Canadian title.

“I just want to show what I’m capable of and my abilities,” said Riggs, who won a fight in Beausejour two weeks ago. “Just preparing for next year and the goal is to be Canadian national champ in 2017. … These fights are just bonuses.”

Noel Harding, the owner of the Brandon club and a professional fighter, has been impressed with Riggs’ training. He’s spars with him three days a week and is excited to watch him this weekend and in future bouts.

“He’s in really good shape right now,” Harding said. “I’ve known Paul and have been sparring with him for three years and this is the best I’ve seen him. He looks sharp and … I think he’s ready to get a win here.”

At least 10 fights are expected on the Halloween Hustle 3 card, with around half a dozen boxers coming from Brandon.

Harding would like to see people come out to watch some of the locals showcase the work they’ve put into their craft.

“I’m real excited,” he said. “It’s a great way to showcase our local talent and promote our club. Really good night, it’s always entertaining fights.”

» cjaster@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @jasterch