A pair of Surrey boxers were part of the card at last month’s inaugural The Thrilla at the Villa, which organizers called the first-ever professional boxing event to take place in Burnaby.
The event took place May 24 at the Grand Villa Casino, and featured Surrey’s J.Y. Kim – B.C.’s former super-middleweight champion – stepping into the ring with Jesus Manuel Beltran, and Aman Aujla squaring off against Eduardo Valencia Aguilar.
Kim’s bout ended in a draw, while Aujla – whose first professional fight was last year in Langley – defeated Aguilar.
“Bringing an event like this to Burnaby for the first time is so important for our community and our local athletes,” said Anna Farrant, co-founder of Vancouver boxing studio All City Athletics and also co-founder of Alliance Boxing Promotions.
– Nick Greenizan