Local boxer Darcie Kaye stopped her opponent in the first round, claiming a title belt at the Puget Sound Championship. Boxers from 21 US states attended last weekend’s tournament in Olympia, Washington.
Kaye started off with a devastating uppercut and followed with several punches that had the referee calling for the ringside doctor. The doc was undecided on whether to stop the fight. The audience was pleading with him, and Kaye was insistent as well.
“I’m going to knock her out if you let it go,” she said.
The doctor finally erred on the side of caution and Kaye was declared the victor. She had her belt signed by former world heavyweight champion Joe Hipp.
Kaye now has the opportunity to fight long time female amateur boxer Gina Skopelitis (Richmond, POWD Boxing) at the Langley Casino in January.
Kaye will be gunning for a BC championship in the 130 pound adult female division.
Meanwhile, teenage boxer Shalynn Holdsworth fought at the Ringside World Championships, traveling to Independence, Missouri in early August.
Holdsworth turned 15 in July, which meant fighting against older competition in the 15-16 year old division.
The Chilliwack native faced a 16 year old from Wisconsin and lost for the first time in her young career.
With more than 1,500 bouts taking place, featuring fighters from all over the world, it was a spectacle.
It was also expensive.
Holdsworth had a silent auction fundraiser prior to leaving, and got lots of help from friends, family, local businesses and her home club, Four Directions Martial Arts.
Holdsworth may now fight in the same tournament as Kaye, depending on how her training progresses.
Her potential opponent would be two years older with equivalent ring experience, and her father, Keith, wants to make sure she’s ready.