Ready to go pro

Andrea Roberts
Times Intern

 

At the Teofista Boxing Series 19 on June 25, Justin Schmit will make his first appearance as a pro-boxer when he steps into the ring against Taber’s Joel Mills.
Schmit, the owner of Apex MMA gym in Strathmore, last boxed as an amateur about 10 years ago, but this match seemed to come around at the right moment.
“It was just the right timing more than anything,” said Schmit. “I haven’t had anything on my radar for six to eight months, and then the promoter called and asked if I thought it could be my comeback fight.”
Schmit is hoping to come away from this match with a win, which would allow him to continue on in the professional boxing world.
The offer for the fight came to him about a month ago when the promoter for the event, Eric De Guzman, called to ask if he had any fighting fit guys who would be able to go up against another opponent. Schmit said he didn’t; and so De Guzman decided to give Schmit an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Schmit takes part in a number of other disciplines, such as kick boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). He loves to fight and he only goes for the big names. He feels like this could be the fight to resurrect his career as he was coming off a few losses.
He has been preparing for this match for the last few weeks, but one of the biggest issues is the weight restriction. Schmit weighs in at over 200 pounds but the contract fight is for 172 pounds, so he has been on a diet of celery and spinach for this week.
Meanwhile, his opponent Mills is currently sitting at a record of 6-3 ,but that doesn’t worry Schmit. He said it doesn’t matter once you are in the ring; it all depends on what happens in the fight.
Schmit will also be getting back in the cage for some MMA fights this fall.
The Teofista Boxing Series 19 will be held at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino on June 25.