Mike Strange and Lucas Bahdi part of McGibbon Gloves 2024. Pictured: Lucas Badhi knockout punch against Ashton Sylva. Photo Credit: YouTube/DeToxXBL.
It was the knockout heard around the world.
It improved Niagara Falls native Lucas ‘The Prince’ Bahdi’s professional record to (17-0) with 15 knockouts.
Bahdi, along with fellow boxing legend Mike Strange, will be honoured on Friday, Oct. 18 as part of the St. Catharines Boxing Club’s McGibbon Gloves 2024 card at the Merritton Community Centre.
Bahdi’s knockout came in the sixth round against the favorite, who was leading on all of the judges’ cards, Ashton ‘H20’ Sylve.
The fight took place on the undercard of Jake Paul’s last fight in Tampa Bay, Florida.
The KO is now up for knockout of the year on ESPN, and has garnered millions of views on social media.
“We basically made this fight happen within 48 hours,” Bahdi said when contacted by The Niagara Independent. “I knew this was the opportunity to put my name on the world stage, get me huge exposure, and it was basically my introduction to the USA. I knew going into the fight I was not going to win a decision, and that I was going to have to knock this kid out. They underestimated me.”
Meanwhile, Strange, who had over 350 amateur bouts and won gold medals at the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games in Canada and Malaysia, respectively, feels Bahdi will get a world title shot within the next year.
“He’s in his prime right now.”
The current Niagara Falls City Councillor was also the first Canadian boxer to be named the Flag Bearer for Team Canada at the closing ceremonies in Malaysia.
The multi-time boxing hall of famer says the upcoming McGibbon Gloves has extra meaning for him.
“Ray McGibbon was my first boxing coach,” said Strange, the only Canadian boxer to appear in three Olympic Games. “Getting honoured is one thing, but getting honoured at Ray McGibbons gloves is another. He was my mentor.”
Bahdi was quick to praise St. Catharines Boxing Club President Joe Corrigan.
“He’s been in this sport forever, he’s a Niagara legend,” said Bahdi. “I go to his gym quite often to spar, and even just watch sparring, because there’s a lot of really, really, good talent in Niagara and especially in his gym.”
Bahdi plans to make a major announcement in the coming days regarding signing with a major promoter, and revealing the date of his next fight.
Tickets and tables for McGibbon Gloves 2024 are still available. Contact stcatharinesboxingclub@yahoo.ca for more information.
“It’s an honour to have Mike and Lucas on our show,” explained Corrigan. “Mike being inducted into the Canadian Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame (recently), not only was he a great boxer but a great person for everything he does for charity.
“And Lucas, for a small-town kid, to get the big opportunity on the Jake Paul show being the underdog, not only did he step up and take a chance – he stole the show.”
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
