A Break From the Classroom for the Boxing Ring

By Kelly Sharp

 Katlynn Funk of Vanderhoof (blue head gear) takes on Sabrina Williams ( red head gear) at BC Bronze Gloves

Katlynn Funk, a Grade 12 student at Nechako Valley Secondary in Vanderhoof is used to pulling in high grades, but this past weekend she was concerned with her marks in the ring, the boxing ring. The five-foot- eight 164-pounder laced up the boxing gloves for her very first bout, a BC Bronze Gloves final against Sabrina Williams of the Inner City Boxing Club of Prince George. The 18 year-old Funk began boxing in November, sparring with the boys for the Vanderhoof Real World Kick Boxing and Conditioning Association. “There was no place to set up the boxing ring, so we train on the mezzanine of Nechako Valley,” Ron Meade, founder and coach of the association said.

Katynn Funk quickly became a fan of the sport of boxing. She welcomed the discipline needed for training both physically and mentally to step into the ring.

That initial step came at the Connaught Youth Centre in Prince George. The Vanderhoof boxer squared off against her Prince George challenger in the scheduled three rounder, six minutes or shorter in duration. Katlyn Funk admitted she forgot a lot of her technique in her first-ever bout, this after winning the BC Bronze Gloves title on a 3-2 decision. “Boxing is such a huge mental game,” added Funk.

“I told her don’t get caught in the corner and on the ropes,” coach Ron Meade said. “They are lot better that what they usually show in their opening bout, they are so excited,” explained Meade about the rookie boxer.

Ron Meade has been guiding boxers in Vanderhoof for a decade and is use to seeing many of the promising talents hang up the gloves for University. Katlynn Funk, who is on the Principal’s list at Nechako Valley, will probably head in the same direction. One thing’s for certain, her  boxing experience has been so positive.  

"I did it," Katynn said while holding her BC Bronze Gloves trophy.

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