Another slugfest success

Ali had Frazier. Tyson had Holyfield. Nicole Heavirland has Cera Lau.

The best boxing rivalry in Kalispell belongs to a pair of hard-hitting girls from Flathead and Glacier High.

For the second year in a row, "Pain" and "Boom Boom" squared off in the ring at the annual Crosstown Boxing Smoker, this time for the main event inside a packed Expo Building at Flathead County Fairgrounds on Thursday night.

And for the second year in a row, the 1,150 fans in attendance were not let down.

Heavirland, a sophomore at Glacier, doled out a flurry of punches and survived just the same from Lau, a senior at Flathead who beat "Pain" at last year's first-ever Crosstown Smoker at Gardner Auction.

After three back-and-forth, action-packed rounds, it was Heavirland's turn to take home the trophy. She edged Lau by split decision.

"I wasn't sure who was going to win but I looked at my dad and he gave me the thumbs up so I got pretty excited," Heavirland said afterward as she unwrapped the boxing tape off her hands.

"I wish we could do it again (next year) but she's a senior and she's graduating."

On the other side, Lau praised her friendly rival after being cheered up by supporters.

"It's really frustrating but I feel like I gave it my all and that's all I can ask of myself," she said. "I'm proud to have been able to fight her. She's a tough girl."

Mayor Tammi Fisher was one of the three judges for the 16-fight event and came away from her first boxing experience "fascinated."

"I was honored to do it and I had a wonderful time. Great event," she said.

And what about that finale?

"I thought it was incredibly close. If I could've called a tie on it I would've, but there had to be somebody that edged out ahead," Fisher said.

This year's crosstown boxing edition had a bigger venue and a bigger crowd and also featured students from Columbia Falls and one from Eureka.

Glacier came away with the most victories - six - while Columbia Falls went undefeated in four fights. Picking up wins for Glacier along with Heavirland were Reegan Bennett, Tyson Hubbard, Marnic Mann, Vincent Van Lancker and Mac Sutherland. For Columbia Falls, Sal Baccaro, Kohl Thompson, Adam Richardson and Cody Hader all were victorious. Mike Wilson of Eureka won a slugfest with Flathead's Austin Root.

For Flathead, Dillon Creek, Bob Leavitt, Scott Bolt and Cassie Krueger were winners on the evening. Mariah Gladstone of Glacier and Kelsey Davis of Flathead earned a draw.

The event, which was helped put on and prepared by members from the local Flathead Boxing and Straight Blast Gym, raised money for participating schools' wrestling programs.

The exciting evening was again an all-around success, according to organizers.

"It was more than what we expected. It was great community support, the turnout was great," organizer Greg Pisk said. "(Flathead Boxing coach and referee) Phillip Moore and the boxing club paired up the kids great. It was just a real fun event."