(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

In memory

‘He was a lion’: boxing event honours passionate young fighter

May 2, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Near four years after a car accident claimed the life of a 17-year-old Prince Albert boy, plans have been finalized for a special tournament to honour the skilled boxer’s memory.

The first annual Will Skopyk Memorial boxing event will take place June 4 at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre. Will’s Father Rod Skopyk told paNOW the family is humbled and honoured that the Red Wolf Boxing Club would approach them with the idea.

“Obviously we wish we didn’t have to have a memorial tournament but to have one and for the club to do that is really special for us and it keeps the memory of Will alive,” he said.

Will Skopyk was tragically killed in a two vehicle collision on July 24, 2018, northeast of Prince Albert. Prior to his death, Will was a passionate boxer and had been involved in the sport for nearly three-and-a half-years. Rod Skopyk recalled how hard his son trained, and how he would order training devices to enhance his conditioning.

“He had his own keys to the boxing club. He would go there and work out and hit the bags by himself and he was there early for every single training practice they had,” he said.

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Despite his small frame, Will (in red) was a giant competitor in the ring. (Submitted/ Rod Skopyk)

Over the course of his amateur career, Skopyk went to many competitions and won many fights. In 2015, he finished top in his weight class at the Saskatchewan Provincial Boxing Championships in Regina. Remembering what it was like watching his son fight, Skopyk said he was always amazed at how strong he was.

“He would come up to us after the bout and he would have little bruises and abrasions and stuff but if he had blood on him he’d go ‘that’s not my blood,'” he said. “He was a talented fighter.”

Noting how a special Will Skopyk trophy was handed out at a boxing event pre-pandemic, Skopyk said he hopes this event can become an annual tradition.

“I hope it can carry on. It’s a beautiful thing that they would do that,” he said.

Braddock Koch, head coach with the Red Wolf Boxing Club, was the one who approached the family with the idea and has fond memories of Will.

“He was a lion. He embodies the spirit of what we are are trying to do with the Red Wolves,” he said. “He was just so fierce.”

Noting the number of sponsors on board already, Koch said he’s received huge outpouring of support from the community. Koch also confirmed his plans to make this an annual event, while also noting plans to start small this year, featuring 10 to 12 bouts with fighters from all over Western Canada.

“There will be some novice guys that are just being brought up but there will also be some top flight amateurs as well,” he said.

Cole Ahenakew, an up and coming fighter is his own right, trained with Will and plans to be on the card next month.

“He was a good sparring parter and we would always have fun when we we sparring, make little jokes during our sparring matches. He brought a good energy to the gym,” he said.

Tickets for the event next month are on sale now through the exhibition centre, Mark’s 9, Canadian Tire, and Koch through the Red Wolf Boxing Club.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell