New Promotion Company Wants Boxing To Be The ‘Real Deal’ In Halifax
HALIFAX — Kyle McNeil knew he was taking a risk when he decided to start his own Halifax boxing promotion earlier this year. It’s a hard business to make money in; many promoters have tried and failed in the boxing industry. But McNeil, himself a pro boxer for the past decade, says Real Deal Promotions is about more than just making a dollar.
“I do it for the love of the sport; the blood, sweat, and tears of the journey; the sweet taste of victory when it comes and the lessons that are learned in defeat,” said McNeil, who also owns Real Deal Fitness.
“I want to see the scene built up. I want to see families out and kids and people to enjoy the shows. It can be looked at in a good light. I don’t want people to think ‘ugh, boxing shows: grungy, dirty; these are mean dudes.’”
Nonetheless, McNeil still believes boxing can become a popular, profitable, attraction again in Halifax and throughout the province, especially since it has such a rich tradition in Nova Scotia.
On October 21, Real Deal will be hosting its second boxing event, ‘Against the Ropes,’ at the newly renovated World Trade and Convention Centre – a place McNeil hopes will be a focal point for Halifax boxing.
In the main event, McNeil will fight Teddy Reno in the Lightweight division. The other big match features Brandon Brewer versus an opponent to be determined.
You can feel the excitement in McNeil’s voice when he talks about reviving the local boxing scene. For two years, Covid put many boxing careers on hold. McNeil returned to the ring in 2021. then, last month, Real Deal held its first ever promotion, ‘Fists of Fury,’ at the Halifax Forum.
The event drew hundreds of fans. It even had a celebrity special guest when Eric Esch, a.k.a Butterbean, showed up.
“It was family-friendly; it was wholesome. There were a lot of kids running around and youth athletes who were enjoying themselves. Every match was exciting. There were no snooze-fest fights,” McNeil said.
McNeil is also a walking encyclopedia of boxing history, especially when it comes to Nova Scotia legends. Get him talking and he will discuss people like Sam Langford — the Weymouth Falls heavyweight who could never get a title shot against Jack Johnson because of his race.
Tragically, Langford ended up going blind and living in extreme poverty in Harlem in the 1940s, long after his career ended. A newspaper column about his living conditions prompted readers to raise $10,000 in his aid.
Then there is the Toy Tiger, Art Hafey, from Pictou County. The boxer, who wielded a devastating knockout punch, was constantly ranked as one of the best featherweights in the world during the 70s. Yet, like Langford before him, he was never granted his much-deserved title shot. He was forced to retire due to injury when he was still young and in the prime of his career.
When the Toy Tiger’s name is mentioned, McNeil excitedly recalls when the legend watched one of McNeil’s fights.
“Art Hafey actually came down to watch my fight in Pictou,” recalled McNeil. “Art and his brother came down. They’re super nice guys and he was a helluva fighter in his day. I loved his fights.”
McNeil is originally from Quispamsis, New Brunswick, so he also has knowledge of the great fighters who came from that province. Naturally, Yvon Durelle, a.k.a. the Fighting Fisherman, came up.
“He’s one of the best to come out of Canada,” said McNeil. “He was world ranked, an exceptional fighter. Guys like that put boxing on the map in places like Montreal.”
The Baie-Sainte-Anne native is most famous for his legendary fight against Light Heavyweight Champion Archie Moore in 1958. Durelle, considered a massive underdog in the bout, knocked down Moore three times in the first round.
Spectacular, Moore came back to beat Durelle by knockout in the 11th round. It was one of boxing’s biggest I-could-have-been-a-contender moments.
While chatting about these legends and the rich boxing history of the Maritimes, it’s clear that McNeil wants to introduce a new generation of boxing stars and reignite people’s passion for a storied sport full of sacrifice, tragedy, and glory.
“I always say, with boxing you have to love the sport. It can’t just be for money. If you do it for just money, you’re going to get hurt.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].