Isabella Demers, left, her father and coach Quenten Demers, centre, and her sister Havanna Demers, right, during the Silver and Bronze Gloves boxing tournaments in Chilliwack, B.C., Sept. 26–28, 2025. Havanna brought home the Junior C 57-kilogram Silver Gloves championship. (Submitted photo/Quenten Demers )

By Kenneth Cheung

LOCAL TALENT

Rapid View sisters return from B.C. with title, respect and plans to showcase boxing at home

Oct 2, 2025 | 5:11 PM

Two young sisters from Rapid View, about 20 minutes west of Meadow Lake, are back home with a medal and memories from the Silver and Bronze Gloves tournaments, held Sept. 26 to 28 in Chilliwack, B.C.

Havanna and Isabella Demers, who train at Demers Boxing, were the only fighters representing both Saskatchewan and their club at the annual competition.

Havanna came away with the Junior C 57-kilogram Silver Gloves title, winning a split decision over B.C. provincial champion Ruby Coleman.

“They’re probably some of the funnest matches I’ve ever had,” Havanna said, adding that she was happy with how she performed and the experience she gained.

Her second bout, against 60-kilogram B.C. youth champion Acadia Doherty, ended in a split-decision loss to the hometown boxer. Still, she said one moment stood out.

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“Acadia and I were both in the ring waiting to fight, and she started to stare me down. I’m like, ‘Oh, you want to play this game,’” she recalled.

“I started to stare down right back and I think that was the biggest stare down I ever been in before… It was kind of funny.”

Quenten Demers, left, and his daughter Havanna during the Silver and Bronze Gloves boxing tournaments in Chilliwack, B.C., Sept. 26–28, 2025. (Submitted photo/Quenten Demers )

Havanna said it was “awesome to win Silver Gloves” after trying in previous years. Her sights are now set on the nationals in Calgary next March.

She has built a résumé that includes the 2025 Alberta Golden Gloves title, three Saskatchewan provincial championships and silver at last year’s Junior and Youth Nationals in Calgary. This spring in Quebec City, she added a bronze medal in the 57-kilogram division at the Junior and Youth Nationals.

Isabella’s “Rocky Balboa story”

Havanna captured a title, but for Isabella, the younger sister, the biggest prize was the respect she earned by stepping back into the ring after defeat in the Bronze Gloves.

Boxing up a weight class, Isabella moved from 38 to 40 kilograms to face Maple Ridge’s Ann Thomas twice in as many days. She lost both bouts but said the second fight showed her growth.

“In the first match, I was quite nervous… she was very tough,” Isabella said. “But the second day, my dad had made a new game plan. And this time, I got in there and I wasn’t going to quit.”

She admits Thomas “still got the better of me,” but said she was proud of her effort.

“It was so close, and I’m so proud of myself for getting back in there,” she said. “In the end, she gave me a medal.”

Coach Quenten Demers briefs his daughter Isabella between rounds. (Submitted photo/Quenten Demers)

Asked what she took away from the experience, Isabella said, “To never quit and not give up and just try your best. And that experience is always better than the win.”

Her father and coach, Quenten Demers, called it the highlight of their trip.

“She came down from the depths of defeat, and she came back stronger than ever,” he said. “It was like a Rocky Balboa story to never give up. This is a life lesson that’s going to follow her through the rest of her life. This is bigger than a win or a medal.”

“To see how the others were embracing her and cheering for her, because she is what exemplifies courage… I’m just ultimately so proud of how she boxed and how she acted.”

Looking ahead to Meadow Lake

The sisters won’t wait long for their next chance to climb through the ropes. The Demers family is set to host its first-ever boxing card in Meadow Lake on Jan. 17, 2026, at the old Civic Centre.

The evening will feature a catered meal with ringside tables for sale that seat eight people. Dinner is scheduled for 5 p.m., with matches beginning at 6 p.m. A cash bar and canteen will also be open for the crowd.

Quenten said opponents are already being arranged for both his daughters. Isabella is expected to face a boxer from Saskatoon, while Havanna will likely face a boxer from Calgary. If that matchup falls through, the family may fly in an opponent from Ontario or Quebec.

“Because of Havana’s experience, she can only fight the best of the best,” he said.

“No one else wants to put their novice boxers in with her, and it wouldn’t help us any either. So, Havana is looking to fight only the best fighters in the country, and we’re hoping to be able to put on one of the best shows of the season.”

This will be the first time the family has hosted a card, but if it succeeds, they hope to make it an annual event in Meadow Lake – an opportunity to showcase the growing number of young boxers training at their packed Rapid View gym.

Anyone interested in tickets for the event or learning more about the boxing program can contact Quenten at 639‑537‑0052 or email DemersBoxing@gmail.com.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com