Another Ryan ready to rumble
The latest in a long line of Ryan brothers is ready to make his mark in the sport of boxing.
Fifteen-year-old Mark Ryan announced his readiness to climb the boxing ladder by winning the Junior C novice 60-kilogram division at the prestigious Brampton Cup. The Grade 10 student at Holy Cross, who has 10 brothers, including eight who have competed in boxing, stopped Kaidon Douglas from Dewith Frazer Boxing and Fitness in the third round of his first fight and then won gold with a 3-0 decision over Eduardo Juarez from Boomerz.
“They were good, hard fights,” he said.
Mark headed to the Brampton Cup confident but not overconfident.
“I was expecting to do well but I knew it was going to be hard. I have put a lot of effort into my training and I have had a lot of encouragement from the club.”
He has been training four times a week at the St. Catharines Boxing Club mixed in with playing for the Holy Cross junior basketball team.
“It was a lot and I had to put in a lot of time.”
That work has paid off in the ring for the fighter, who sports a 5-3 record.
“I have definitely improved. I am a bit quicker, I have gotten bigger and I am more experienced because I have had more fights and have gotten better sparring.”
The experience has been a key factor in his development.
“Experience is a big part of it. You can’t teach boxing in a book. To get out there and fight someone makes all the difference in the world.”
His next step will come through getting more fights and continuing to train hard.
He loves the sport.
“I like the competitiveness and I like the guys at the club. When you get out there, it is the best thing the world to throw a couple of punches and take a few too.”
He has no desire to become a pro boxer but is interested in pursuing the sport provincially and nationally at the amateur level. He competed at the provincial novice championships in 2024.
St. Catharines Boxing Club coach John Robertson believes Mark’s brothers have contributed to making him a good fighter.
“There are so many of them that have been here before and they help him make his better. They are all determined.”
Mark has a number of other attributes that help as well.
“He is athletic, a good listener and he is disciplined with his cardio,” Robertson said.
He has high hopes for Mark.
“He has eight fights so we are going to get him two more so he becomes an open class fighter and we can put him in the provincials this year.”
Mark received an early introduction to boxing from his brothers when he was five or six.
“We were sparring in the garage. They beat me up pretty good a couple of times,” he said, with a smile
He began training consistently in boxing about two years ago.
Mark is scheduled to fight at the 17th Annual Niagara Boxing Legends Show March 21 at the Merritton Community Centre and it will be his first fight in front of a hometown crowd.
“I would like to put on a good show for everyone, of course, and I am looking forward to enjoying the support from everyone. I think it is a bit more pressure but it gives me some courage too.”
Among the other St. Catharines expected to fight March 21 are Oliver Kuebeck, Jeremy Cowan, Sam Turevich, Gavin Freel, Scott Philpott, Dylan Maisonneuve, Megan Reynolds and Adam Congiu.
Being induced into the Niagara Boxing Legends March 21 are Gerry Ryan, Bruce Greenlaw, Jessie Wilcox, Bill Williams, Sonny Pascuzzi, Brian Baines and Baby Joe Mesi.
Tickets for the show are $20 in advance and $25 at the door with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the fighting starting at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, VIP tables and sponsorship opportunities, call 905-988-1244.
Former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney will be in attendance at the fights.
