Bruce Boyington has been one of the busier combat sports practitioners in the state this year, an effort that has been rewarded with two different mixed martial arts championship belts.
Now the U.S. Marine Corps veteran who trains out of Young’s MMA in Bangor is about to branch out competitively — or actually focus on one specific fighting discipline — when he makes his boxing debut in a four-round bout against Nate Charles of Windham on New England Fights’ Oct. 11 card at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston.
“It’s something I’ve been considering for a while now,” said Boyington, who has been working on his boxing skills periodically for more than a year at Wyman’s Boxing Club in Stockton Springs.
“My training was more just to help out my MMA, but the opportunity has presented itself and it’s a great way for me to stay busy and do something different.”
The Brewer resident showed signs of his boxing potential during his most recent mixed martial arts match, using a succession of unanswered jabs to score a second-round stoppage of Auburn’s Jesse Erickson to win the vacant NEF Maine state lightweight (155-pound) title in Lewiston last month.
“I’m considered a striker, and a lot more as a kicker by most people,” said Boyington, who also will defend his NEF MMA crown in a rematch with Erickson at Lewiston on Nov. 15. “But because I’ve been working with them down at [Wyman’s] I think my boxing’s come a long way and I think my assets such as speed and power will play into the boxing realm.”
Among the boxers Boyington has trained with at Wyman’s are gym owner Ken “Skeet” Wyman and undefeated junior welterweight prospect Brandon “The Cannon” Berry of West Forks.
Berry (7-0 with five knockouts) will fight 2012 West Virginia lightweight toughman champion Eric Palmer (4-3-3) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the Northeast junior welterweight title in the main event of the Oct. 11 Lewiston boxing show.
“If you had asked me a year ago, I probably would have told you Bruce was in for a big surprise,” said Berry. “But the fact that I’ve worked with Bruce and all the guys from Young’s MMA, I don’t think Bruce really has much to worry about. He adjusts to the situation so well and he’s pretty good with his hands.”
Charles also brings a mixed martial arts background into the bout, as both a competitor and owner and head coach of Balanced Ground MMA.
“Finally no takedowns to worry about, just hands flying,” said Charles. “Two MMA strikers in a boxing match should make for a fan-friendly fight.”
Boyington said preparation for his boxing debut has differed only slightly from his MMA workouts.
“I’m getting in some extra time in the boxing ring, but generally I’m just training hard for November 15,” he said. “If I had a really big boxing match I would change things up, but I’m just keeping things the same except for giving a little extra attention to boxing just to be more acquainted to the ring rather than the cage.”
And while Boyington doesn’t necessarily think of this turn to boxing as a one-time experience, he said his primary fighting focus will remain mixed martial arts.
“I don’t see myself really pursuing boxing unless that was something New England Fights requested from me,” said Boyington, who competes for NEF under a multi-fight contract. “My heart heavily lies in MMA so my focus is going to be climbing that ladder because I’ve got so much invested in it. Luckily boxing just contributes to that, so it’s beneficial all around.”
Shorey aims to build on pro MMA debut
Dover-Foxcroft’s Derek Shorey, fresh from a first-round victory in his pro MMA debut last month, will take on Matt Denning of Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Auburn at a catchweight of 140 pounds at NEF XV in Lewiston on Nov. 15.
Shorey stopped John “First Class” Raio with a guillotine choke at NEF XIV, avenging a loss to the postal worker from Topsham when the two were amateurs.
“In his professional debut, Derek Shorey was reborn as an athlete and looked like a brand new fighter compared to what we saw in his amateur career,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “He was focused, composed and patient, and when he found his opening, he ended the fight.”
Like Shorey, Denning has been a familiar figure on New England Fights cards, most recently defeating Jeremy Tyler at NEF XIV in his final amateur bout.
“I’ve seen this fight coming for awhile,” said Shorey, who like Denning recently signed a multi-fight contract with NEF. “I think we’ve both got a decent grappling game, but I also think we’re both anxious to showcase our standing skills.”
