The “Animal” ready for action

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

The “Animal” has served his time and is ready to step back into the ring.
Local product Justin Schmit was knocked out with a vicious elbow to the head by Sheldon Doll Sept. 30 in Lethbridge during the Rumble in the Cage 55.
Any time a fighter gets knocked out, they are forced to serve a medical suspension. Schmit’s suspension lasted 90 days, as he underwent surgery to repair an aneurysm in his temporal lobe that he sustained from the fight.
All stitched up and cleared by doctors, Schmit jumped at his first opportunity to get back into the ring and start sparring again.
“I am confident in the doctors,” said Schmit. “I know they did their job and they fixed me up, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
To some, a head injury such as the one Schmit sustained at the age of 33 might be enough to push them away from the sport of boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA).
But not Schmit; it draws him in even more.
“There was no hesitation in me accepting this fight,” said Schmit. “There will always be fear going into a fight, but it’s all in how you deal with fear. You can either use it to your advantage as a motivator or let it destroy you.”
The last time Schmit stepped in the ring, it was for a MMA fight. This time, he will dip his toe back into the world of the sweet science. He last fought in a boxing ring June 24, when he was knocked out by Dwayne “D-Bomb” Lewis in the second round.
As a pro boxer, Schmit owns a 0-3 record, which might be deceiving.
Every boxer he’s ever taken on has entered with an undefeated streak, meaning that Schmit takes on the best available fighter.
On Jan. 27, when the Dekada Fight Night occupies Grey Eagle Casino, Schmit will be looking for his first career win against a guy he beat in the past.
Zach “The Last Warriors” Manywounds got knocked out by Schmit last year, when the Strathmore product ground and pounded his way to victory in a MMA match.
They have never boxed before. Manywounds carries a 2-0 record in the world of professional boxing. He is 2-5 in MMA events, compared to Schmit’s 4-7 record.
“Zach is a better boxer than a MMA fighter. He’s a friend of mine and I’d like to give him an opportunity to redeem himself,” said Schmit. “That way, he can never say that I didn’t give him another shot at me.”
Manywounds is from the nearby area surrounding the Grey Eagles Casino in Calgary. He is expected to have many friends and family members in attendance, making it a road match for Schmit.
Schmit, who typically walks around at 220 lbs., will drop a few weight classes to meet Manywounds, as the two will fight at 180 lbs. — a catch-weight in between the light heavyweight and cruiserweight.
“Dropping two weight categories is nothing for me at this point; I’ve fought in every weight class,” said Schmit. “At the lighter weight, I don’t think he will be able to knock me out, but my cardio will be challenged as I try to keep up with him.”
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the fights begin an hour later. Tickets are still available for $50 and can be purchased through the Dekada Fight Night website (dekada.ca).