The pressure was on Thomas Speirs.
With a berth on the provincial boxing team on the line, the 20-year-old Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club accomplished that goal Saturday in Mission with a 12-9 over Robert Taylor of Victoria.
The win gave Speirs his second consecutive provincial title in the 75-kilogram class. He'll represent B.C. at the senior national championships in Quebec City, Dec. 6-11.
After witnessing how Speirs took care of business with his fists, Spruce Capital coach Wayne Sponagle was surprised at how close the scorecard was.
"I have no idea how they only gave Thomas 12 points, he must have hit Taylor with 25 clean shots and Thomas didn't get hit nine times," said Sponagle. "The scoring amazes me."
Two weeks ago in a provincial semifinal, Speirs defeated Dan Csazar of Abbotsford 9-4.
Two other Spruce Capital boxers, Marcus Hume and Robbie Cusine, both of whom compete in the 65kg class, will travel to Quebec as alternates for the provincial team.
Cusine lost a decision Saturday to 65kg provincial champion Dylan Bishop of Maple Ridge. It was the first fight in a year for Cusine, who recently moved to Prince George from Edmonton.
Hume took Csazar Saturday in Mission in an exhibition bout.
"Marcus looked real good in that fight," Sponagle said.
In his first fight in 10 years, 30-year-old Bruce Wahl of Spruce Capital lost a 25-17 decision to Sean McIntosh of Mission.
"Bruce did awesome, it was a very exciting close fight and I think it was a fair decision," Sponagle said.
Mackenzie Cruickshank, 15, faced national silver medalist Cody Brown of Mission in a 45kg exhibition.
"That kid never ceases to amaze me," said Sponagle, referring to Cruickshank. "It was only an exhibition but what a a fight that was. Mackenzie was down 6-1 after one round and after the second round Brown was ahead 7-6. They never scored the third round and Cody would have won if it was a real fight but it was very competitive.
"Mackenzie is very good, and if he can get some experience he's a good bet to win the cadet nationals."
Kenny Lally and Jag Seehra of the Inner City Boxing Club, who went uncontested in their respective 54kg and 60kg weight classes at the provincial championships in Surrey, also plan to fight in the national championships.
