Neepawa fighter ready to rumble

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Published on Friday, November 25, 2016

Photo by Eoin Devereux. Logan Russell prepares for his upcoming muay thai debut at the K-Town Throwdown in Kenora on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

A member of the Boxe Neepawa Combat and Fitness Club is looking to make an impact in muay thai fighting. 18-year-old Logan Russell will make his debut in this version of the combat sport on Saturday, Nov. 26, in Kenora at the K-Town Throwdown. He’ll be challenged by northern Ontario fighter Logan MacDonald in a scheduled three round tilt. 

Russell has trained at the club since it first opened in Neepawa early in 2014 and has focused his attention on boxing, kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He has also participated in and won several competitions.  Earlier this year, Russell won gold at the 2016 Sylvio Behring Winter Classic submission and grappling tournament in Winnipeg. As well, he claimed the top prize in his weight class at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Manitoba Open Championship in Winnipeg in 2015.

This upcoming contest will be Russell’s first foray into the form of striking known as ‘the art of eight limbs’, due to its use of fists, elbows, knees and shins to strike an opponent. Earlier this week, as he finalized his preparations, Russell said that he’s ready to face this new challenge.

“The style of fighting is different in some ways, so it has to be approached in a slightly different strategy. But the mindset, when it comes to the training, remains the same. Any type of combat sport requires discipline and dedication to your training regiment. Derek [Pearson] here at Boxe Neepawa has done a great job getting me ready. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do [in the ring].”

Russell will be facing a fighter who has already competed in several muay thai matches. He noted that even though the experience advantage goes to his opponent, he remains optimistic that he’ll put in a solid performance.

“[MacDonald] appears to have focused most of his training on muay thai, so that’s going to give him a definite technical advantage, but I’m taller than he is, so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to use my reach advantage. Keep him on the outside and negate any skills that he has developed in the clinch,” stated Russell. 

Russell’s match will be part of the K-Town Throwdown, which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Golden Eagle Bingo Hall in Kenora, Ontario.