The plan was to use boxing as a hobby, a way to stay in shape, but has morphed into an impressive amateur career for Russell Lavery.
The 20-year-old has found a knack for success in the ring, compiling a record of 7-2-1 in his short career with the Port Kells Boxing Club.
The fact that Lavery chose boxing is of little surprise.
鈥淚 did get into my share of fights,鈥� he admitted.
鈥淚 was always a natural athlete,鈥� he said about growing up in 91原创, playing soccer, baseball and basketball as a kid.
鈥淚n Grade 12, me and some buddies decided to try boxing. It was a good workout and we stuck with it.鈥�
Just a casual fan of the sport during his teenage years, boxing is all he watches now.
鈥淚 just love it,鈥� Lavery said. 鈥淚 have played so many sports over the years, but I love (boxing).
鈥淚 just love the self-satisfaction you get from putting hours in the gym,鈥� he explained.
鈥淎nd you get to show what you have been putting all this time in for.鈥�
He typically fights in either the lightweight (135 pound) or super lightweight (140 pound) divisions.
Lavery admits to liking the spotlight, with boxing readily provides with just two combatants in the ring.
鈥淚 have always been a bit of a performer,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 like the crowds; I like to go out there and put on a good show, make it good for the crowd.鈥�
鈥淚 can brawl or I can box,鈥� Lavery said, adding he is comfortable in either style, though he prefers the latter.
鈥�(That way) you can show people more of what you can actually do,鈥� he explained.
鈥淲ith brawling, you don鈥檛 see a lot of skill: with boxing, you think before every punch and you have plans and steps for beating your opponent.
鈥淏rawling is just sort of last-man standing.鈥�
That is what Lavery faced in his last fight, in January, when he beat Scott Woodward.
鈥淗e is just one of those brawlers who puts his head down and keeps on coming.鈥�
Up next is a fight on Friday (March 29) Clash at the Cascades at the 91原创 Cascades Casino Hotel and Convention Centre when he will fight another local boxer, Mat Andreatta of the Revolution Fight Team.
It is one of eight fights on the card that night.
Lavery knows Andreatta and has sparred with him previously.
And while they may be friendly acquaintances and respect one another, when the bell rings, all of that will be put aside as they both go for the victory.
鈥淗e is a tidy boxer,鈥� Lavery said of his opponent.
鈥淭he key to this fight is sticking to my game plan and fighting my fight and put the pressure on him.
鈥淗e is a taller and longer fighter than I am; I have to get inside and wear him down and not let him box; make him uncomfortable.鈥�
The pair are fighting in a lightweight division semifinal for the B.C. Combative Sports Association.
As for long-term goals in the sport, Lavery would love to continue for as long as he can.
But it remains more hobby than anything else, especially with a grueling school schedule.
Lavery, who graduated from R.E. Mountain Secondary in 2010, is currently attending Kwantlen Polytechnic University where he is part of the welding program.
And being in such a labour-intensive program 鈥� combined with a physical sport such as boxing 鈥� takes a toll both physically and time-wise.
Lavery admits his shoulders and back can be troublesome.
So can time management as he tries to juggle the burdens of school, time to train and box, and some semblance of a social life.
He typically trains at Port Kells four or five times a week, for about 90 minutes to two hours each time.
And on days he is not at the gym, Lavery will still do some sort of physical training.
