Boxing might not be the first sport that comes to mind when one thinks of "home venue advantage" - but don't tell that to either Gavin MacIsaac (Top Glove Boxing) or Mathieu Kistabish (Club de boxe Abitemis - Amos, P.Q.).

Just a week after Kistabish earned a clear-cut win over MacIsaac at the Gala de Boxe Val D'Or, his Sudbury counterpart returned the favour, earning one of four Top Glove victories earlier this month at the Lorne Street home of coach Gord Apolloni and company.

MacIsaac punched his way to a split decision in an intense and entertaining bout that earned "Fight of the Night accolades.

Other locals joining MacIsaac in the winner's circle included Michael Khazanski (fight stopped in second round), Jadyn Lewis (split decision over Ley Villacourta (Beaver Boxing - Ottawa) and Matthias Willems (stopping Bardi Neshatiasl - Saliwan Boxing - Toronto in the first round).

On the other side of the ledger, Shon Vivier from Top Glove lost a close split decision while valuable experience was garnered by the combative tandem of Owen Gliese-Thomas and Magnus Kain, both of whom returned to training with an even better understanding of exactly what it takes to walk away as a victor in these man on man battles.

After making the trek to northwestern Quebec to face pugilists from Val D'Or, Chibougamau, Rouyn-Noranda and Amos on May 25th, the Top Glove contingent were extremely appreciative of the willingness of the clubs from Amos, Ottawa and Toronto to travel to the nickel city for an evening of pure entertainment.