On Tuesday, April 14, Hamilton lightweight boxer Steve “The Piranha” Wilcox (11-1-0, 5KOs) faces Michael Gadbois (13-0-2, 4KOs) of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, for the WBC International Silver Lightweight Championship at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. The fight, scheduled for ten rounds, is the main event of the annual Shaw Festival boxing gala. With a win, Wilcox will move to within striking distance of the world’s top ten lightweights. “This fight means everything to me,” explained Wilcox. “Winning this fight will move me forward to much bigger things. Things I’ve been training for my whole life.”
Wilcox trains at Steeltown Boxing Club on Upper Ottawa Street, where his father Bob Wilcox maintains an impressive stable of professional and amateur boxers. Ever since entering the club as a child, Wilcox has dreamed of becoming a world champion. For “the Piranha,” Gadbois is just another obstacle to conquer on his way to the top. “Michael is a tough and gritty fighter,” said Wilcox. “Even in the amateurs he put on great fights for the fans, bringing them to their feet. I have nothing but good things to say about him, but on April 14 I will show everyone how hard we’ve been training. I’m going to give him a boxing lesson for ten rounds, or less, and take home that belt. He’s getting his first loss. It’s my night to shine.”
Wilcox is no stranger to championship boxing. He won the Canadian light welterweight championship in 2013, scoring an eighth round TKO over Marcel Maillet Jr. of New Brunswick. Eager to keep his championship calibre team together, Wilcox recently resigned with long-time promoter Tyler Buxton, agreeing to a lengthy contract extension. “Steve is a beautiful boxer, a real tactician,” said Buxton. “When he’s on his game, no one can touch him. He’s been preparing for this his whole life. There is no limit to what this guy can achieve. I really believe that. This title is just the beginning.”
