Injured wrestler to meet his favourite fighter
Apr 04, 2008 - 04:00 PM
By Melissa Mancini
OSHAWA -- A local teen who was injured in a high school wrestling accident in December has been granted a big wish.
The Starlight, Starbright Children’s Foundation is sending Michael Box and his family to see the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in Canada.
The match features Georges St-Pierre, the 16-year-old’s favourite fighter, in Montreal versus Matt Serra. The family will have ringside seats and Michael will get to meet the fighters after the match. The event, which takes place at the Bell Centre on Saturday, April 19, is sold out.
“He has been a huge fan for a long time,” said Scott Box, Michael’s father. “To be able to go see the fight the first time the tour has come to Canada is so exciting for him.”
Michael’s stepmother, Jewell Box, was with him at Bloorview Kids Hospital, where Michael is undergoing rehabilitation, when he found out about the trip. She said Michael’s reaction was disbelief.
“He kept asking ‘Are you serious?’ ” Ms. Box said. “He is super, super excited.”
In addition to the seats and backstage passes, the family will also stay three nights in Montreal and tour the city. They have been provided a wheelchair-accessible limo-bus and driver to take them to Quebec and get them around while they visit.
Michael was wrestling in a high school tournament last December when his spinal cord was severed. He hasn’t had any increased movement since February, when he discovered he could move his hand. But the teen is now able to come home on weekends to see friends and family. Michael is learning how to drive his power wheelchair by controlling it with his hand.
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