Day ready to turn out the lights

Ashton Day has come a long, long way to make a strong first impression.

The 20-year-old from Bishop’s Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador, who is serving in the military and trains at Brandon Fitness Combat Academy, is one of six Westman fighters who will participate in The Spring Showdown boxing card at the Victoria Inn’s Imperial Ballroom tonight.

The doors open at 5 p.m., and the fights start at 6 o’clock, with the card likely wrapping up by 9 or 9:30.

“I can’t wait to get in there and show what I’m about,” Day said. Tickets are available at Peak Performance and Athletics at 863 10th St., or at the door if any are left. They are $30 each in advance or $35 at the door.

The Newfoundlander was training in mixed martial arts before he moved west. Day followed his brother Dean into combat sports after he fought in amateur MMA and jiu jitsu.

“I grew up a little rough so it was kind of a way out,” Day said. “It was to let off some steam. No matter what I do, I’m competitive. If we play hangman, I’m competitive. I always try to be the best at whatever I do and this is where it led me.”

Once he started in combat sports, it didn’t take long for it to become part of who he was. With no other physical diversions, the training became very important to him.

“I just got addicted to it,” Day said. “I don’t know what it was, I watched it 24/7, and all I think about is fighting. It’s all I do. I don’t play any other sports, I don’t play hockey.”

He has competed in jiu jitsu but never in MMA or boxing. Even so, that competitive streak is clear.

“There are a little bit of nerves but I know what I’m capable of doing to the guy,” Day said, adding with a chuckle, “I shouldn’t say it like that. You know what I mean, I know what I’m capable of. I train good and I have good training partners. I predict I’m going to win pretty well. There are a little bit of nerves but a lot of excitement.”

Ryker Batson, who owns and operates the combat academy with his family, chuckles when asked about Day. Coaches love when their athletes are driven and eager to learn, and Day is both.

“This will be his first bout,” Batson said. “He’s pretty pumped about it: He can’t stop talking about it. He messages every day asking questions. I’m excited for him so hopefully everything works out. He’s been training hard so I’m sure it will.”

Batson said a big part of what they’re working on is Day’s mental approach, which encompasses being present when he’s training and also ramping up his pressure in the ring.

“I don’t have to push him, so that’s nice,” Batson added. “He shows up and gives it all his effort and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

Day is grateful for the combat academy, saying it has great coaches, good sparring partners and is a good community to train in. He’s hopeful this is all a first step.

“I wanted to keep fighting and I decided to come here and train,” Day said. “I want to become a pro one day and fight the best of the best, so this is the place to be.”

The right-hander, whose best punch is left hook, will fight at heavyweight with a catch weight of 210 pounds.

No matter what happens, he said boxing has had a profound impact on his life away from the gym too.

“With my job, it helps you never quit,” Day said. “I don’t think there is a thing in the world that can break me. If you make me run 50 k, I’m not going to do it very well but I’m not going to stop. “I don’t think anything in the world can break me. That’s the way I am.”

» pbergson@brandonsun.com