Adam Braidwood makes his return back to Edmonton

For the first time in a quarter-century, the Canadian Heavyweight Champion will be determined in Edmonton. Victoria native Adam “The Boogeyman” Braidwood (13-2) will face off against Stan “Silverback” Surmacz (10-1) in a long-awaited bout against the Edmonton-born fighter.

The match is looking to be a real hair-raiser, as both contestants stand evenly matched in terms of height and weight. “I’m ready to get in the ring and see where I’m at with Surmacz,” Braidwood told reporters at The National Telegraph. “I don’t fight bums. Surmacz’s got an outstanding career. I know it’s gonna be an even fight that gets people talking, and that’s ultimately what I want to see. It’ll be a good match for KO [Boxing], and for me.”

Braidwood told us how he predicts the match will draw out. “I fully expect Stan to try and drag the fight out and make it difficult,” said Braidwood. “An ending before the 5th or 6th round is unlikely, but I think I can get him out before the 6th.”

Adam Braidwood – The Man inside the Boxer

We had the opportunity to interview Braidwood concerning his life outside the ring and where he thinks Canadian boxing should proceed into the future. 

“I was drafted first by the Edmonton Eskimos back in 2006,” Braidwood told us, “But I really got my start at Washington State University. I was involved with professional MMA fighting for a while, but my real focus was football before I began boxing full-time.”

Braidwood told us about his prior substance abuse and its connection with the underbelly of the boxing world. “I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve taken painkillers, and that I’ve gone through rehab and counselling. Many professional fighters have taken the same route I have, abusing alcohol to deal with physical pain. Thankfully, I don’t consider myself an addict. I’m happy to say I’ve dealt with my issues, and I’ve moved on.” Braidwood is an advocate of cannabidiols (CBDs) as a form of holistic health to deal with injuries.

Braidwood offered insight into his perspective concerning repeated head injury and the role in plays in the lives of boxers.

“People really misunderstand how CTE plays into boxing,” he told us. “Boxers go through bloodwork, and we have doctors monitor us for concussion symptoms to ensure the head injury doesn’t progress.  Professional football players, MMA fighters and boxers alike all take this seriously. A lot of the time, many fighters are alcoholics and drug addicts (for reasons unrelated to CTE) that manifests the same behavioural symptoms. Of course, I can’t deny there’s a risk. But, many people with difficult jobs like construction workers, physical labourers—have, in all likelihood, taken more physical trauma than I have! So would I change boxing? Not really.”

Braidwood concluded by telling us what boxing means to him. “Only about 10,000 people are fighting at a high level in boxing, globally. We’re a small percentage of the world! If you start making regulations for boxing, why don’t you place limits on sky-diving or bungee-jumping? That’s why I’m a boxer; we don’t like to be told to live conventionally, but to live free.”

Catch Braidwood in the ring early next month as he faces off against Surmacz, April 3rd, at the Edmonton Convention Centre.