A Drumheller man is crossing an item off his bucket list and at the same time feeding his passion to help those in need.
Jamie Worman is a combat spot enthusiast and has always wanted to step into the ring. This year he is making it happen.
“This year on my birthday, I told myself this year I wanted to have a sanctioned fight or at least have steps taken towards that,” explains Worman. On August 1, I got a phone call from the owner of Dekata (promoter) who asked if I wanted to. If that is not a sign? I don’t know what is.”
Worman will be a featured fighter in an amateur boxing match on Saturday, December 1 in an event called Fight Like a Pro. This is billed as an event where ”28 regular people take on the challenge of a lifetime and experience what it is like to be a pro.”
The event is being put on by Dekata, one of Western Canada’s major boxing organizations. Worman says it is a fully sanctioned fight. He has to get his license and undergo a physical exam before he can get into the ring.
He is not sure who his competitor is, and is not even sure he wants to know.
“The way I see things, is I’m not going to concern myself with what someone else is going to do, I am going to focus and work in my gym and do the best that I can,” he said.
To that end, he has been busy training, and this entails everything from workouts and sparring to adhering to a strict diet.
“There is a local group of very experienced MMA and boxing coaches and fighters here,” said Worman.
The event is for a good cause, raising money for Believe in the Gold. This organization promotes awareness of childhood cancer and also support families and research.
“Me and raising money for cancer survivors and cancer fighters? I’m 100 per cent down for that,” said Worman.
When asked if this is more than a one off, he said “Truly I think it is. My goal was always to have one fight, but I am having too much fun. Boxing, they call it the sweet science for a reason. It’s a chess match, but instead of pawns, you use fists,” he said. “It keeps a guy in shape, it keeps a guy active and it keeps you thinking ahead… I am certain I’ll have more after this.”
The bout is December 1 at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino. Tickets are available from Worman. He says if enough local fans purchase, tickets they will have their own cheering section.”
