Thomas Speirs has some pent-up frustration seeping out of the leather of his 10-ounce boxing gloves.
Three months ago, the B.C. provincial 65-kilogram champion was denied a chance to contend for a national title when, for financial reasons, he was unable to make the trip to the Canadian senior championships in Quebec City.
Limited recently by sickness and a back injury that kept him out of the training ring for several weeks, the 20-year-old Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club member is still driven by the desire to prove he's one of Canada's best.
Next weekend at B.C. Silver Gloves championships at the Roll-A-Dome, he'll try to take the next step in that climb when he fights Ryan O'Connell of Edmonton in the Saturday night main event.
"I've seen him fight a couple of times and he's one of the top fighters in Alberta," said Speirs. "He's probably an inch or two taller than me and he's more a boxer than a brawler."
Speirs doesn't think it will go the full four rounds.
"I'm going to predict a second-round stoppage, it's time," Speirs said. "I'm in shape, I've trained really hard and I'm hitting harder. I'll show everyone."
The last time Spiers fought in Prince George was in October 2009 against Steve McGillvary of Peace River, Alta., at the Night of the Warriors 3 fight card. It turned out a bloody four-round barnburner Speirs won by decision.
Spiers was stunned when he learned funding for the cost of his accommodations at nationals in Quebec would be based on his performance in the tournament.
"It was stupid, I thought [Boxing B.C.] would be paying for the rooms," Spiers said. "They said they would reimburse me, but only if I medal. I might have spent all that money (for his flights) just for one fight. I was pretty disappointed."
Spruce Capital coach Wayne Sponagle says Speirs needs to show he's cured his habit of leading with his face before he'll be ready to be fitted for a national crown.
"He's very close right now," Sponagle said. "He just has to learn to stay behind his punches a little bit better. He's so anxious to get in and hit a guy it takes away his combinations and takes away his punching power.
"He loves to box and I think not going to nationals mentally affected Thomas, but I think it's made him more determined to have a good nationals next year."
The Silver Gloves 64kg class promises to be hotly-contested, with Jag Seehra of the Inner City Boxing Club, a national silver medalist and member of Canada's national B team entered, along with Marcus Hume of Spruce Capital. Brian Milligrew, of Edmonton, formerly of Ireland, is also in the 64kg mix.
Kenny Lally of Inner City is moving up to the 54kg weight class, which could pit him against Robbie Cousine of Spruce Capital.
"We could have two Spruce Capital boxers fighting two Inner City boxers, it all depends on the draw," said Sponagle.
"I was really impressed with Jag this year, you have to give that kid a lot of credit, he's had some tough gos and he's persevered and I have all the respect for what he did at nationals this year. It's good for the other boxers in this town to have two boxers like Kenny and Jag (on national teams) because they see them doing it and it gives them incentive to do it too."
Sponagle expects 15-18 fights on Saturday and 12-14 bouts on Sunday.
Tickets range in price from $10 (rush seats), to $15 (ringside) and $20 (first two rows of ringside, good for both days), and are available at the door.
