Local boxer makes pro boxing debut

May 7, 2014 · 0 Comments

After battling in the Mixed Martial Arts ring for several years, local fighter Jay Alexander made the switch to the boxing ring and had his pro debut on Saturday, May 3, at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga.

The light-heavyweight was pitted against another boxer with a short time in the ring. His opponent, Tim Cronnin came to the ring with an 0–1 record after losing his first fight back in October 2013 in Quebec.

Alexander is not new to the ring – far from it. He’s been training since 1998, but so far his sanctioned battles have been in the octagon of mixed martial arts and he put several wins behind him in a successful career.

The Ontario scene however, is not widely developed. “It’s hard to get fights in Ontario. They’re mostly out west,” Alexander said.

Currently residing in Shelburne, Alexander said he’s been ‘fighting all my life,” since growing up on the ‘mean streets’ of a Toronto neighbourhood.

His formal training in the gym has a local connection. “I’ve been training with Bryan (Mackie) since 1998,” he said. Mackie runs the Big Tyme Fitness gym in Orangeville. “I now train a lot at Extreme Couture in Toronto with Buzz Grant. For this fight I hooked up with Buzz. I got an opportunity with United Promotions for this fight.”

Grant is retired boxer who had his last fight in 2010 and ended his career with a 9-4 record. The switch from MMA to boxing, Alexander said, is not a big deal. “I’m used to transitioning my feet. Most of the work is the same. You work in a lot of the same angles.”

Being able to step into the ring in a venue that is fairly close to home makes a big difference in what can happen once a bout gets underway. “It gets me pumped up to be able to fight in front of hometown people and family.”

For Saturday’s fight, Alexander did the usual research on his opponent including watching video footage of him in action. “I know quite a bit about the guy. He’s a tall, lanky guy. I’ve seen a lot of footage of him.”

At the end of Saturday’s bout, Alexander took a loss giving up a unanimous decision in the four-round match. Expect to see him around town as Alexander and his wife Kelly Zacny are opening a gym in Shelburne called Reps N Rounds located on Steeles Street across from the Home Hardware.

By Brian Lockhart