Professional boxing is returning to Richibucto for the first time in four years.

Fighters will enter the ring on Saturday night.

There are eight amateur fights and three professional fights.

Originally, Professional boxer Dominic Babineau was supposed to enter the ring, but he suffered an injury in training and had to pull out due to doctor’s orders 12 days before the event.

Instead, two women will be featured, Jessica “the Cobra” Camara of Montreal and Joana Chavarria Lopez of Mexico.

Fighters are coming from a number of Clubs in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

Spokesperson Adam Gould says this is a sport attracting all ages, “You’ve got 10 and 11-year-olds boxing at the beginning of the card, and it’s called Funbox. So it’s really an exhibition contest to give them the skills that they need to be able to properly compete if they decide to go that way. It’s really a lot about the development of the boxers and giving them the tools to succeed in the competition.”

Gould adds fighter safety is a number one priority and all events are sanctioned and governed by regulatory bodies.

“If you’ve never seen a live combat sports event, we really encourage you to come out because it’s quite amazing to see two people go toe to toe inside a ring, and really fight for victory. Boxing often gets a bad rap sometimes, especially in this market. A lot of people assume it is violent, barbaric and with big egos but it’s actually the opposite. It’s about self-defence. It’s about competition and about honour and integrity,” Gould adds.

He says events like this attract anywhere from 500 to 1200 spectators.

Fight Night in Richibucto is being held on Saturday, July 22 at the Kent Imperial Centre.