Brian Collins gets a new kick as a Champion for Charity
By Jeff Hicks
KITCHENER —
Brian Collins, after 30 years as a martial arts maven, knows karate.
But boxing? Not so much.
“Changing my approach is going to be a very difficult thing,” said Collins, a black belt in Goju Ryu Karate who will step into the boxing ring for the first time April 12th as one of Mandy Bujold’s Champions for Charity.
“It’s going to be a fun challenge, making myself learn a whole new fighting style.”
Oh, sure. There are still punches to be thrown as Collins and 19 other first-time boxers take part in 10 bouts at Tapestry Hall in Cambridge to raise funds for McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Hard and soft. Go and Ju. A tough sport. A touching cause.
“I’ve had friends who’ve had scary situations with their kids. I’m fortunate that both my kids were born healthy. Sometimes, you take for granted when things go smoothly. Not everybody gets that same experience,” Collins said.
“It’s great to be able to to contribute to a facility that helps people in the worst of times.”
Go and Ju. Straight forward and circular. Jabs and hooks.
But no karate kicks or thunderous throws or joint-locks.
The 42-year-old financial planner pivoted a decade ago, turning from an all-weather construction career spanning commercial plumbing, framing and restorations to face and embrace the indoor comfort of cold numbers and soothing investment spreadsheets.
So karate to boxing? Karate Kid to Rocky Balboa?
No big deal. Wax on. Wax off. Collins has grown beyond the Jean Claude Van Damme kickboxing flicks that got his Lionheart hooked on martial arts movie mayhem.
He’s eager to begin three months of hand-wrapped training with boxing coach Kaitlyn Clark on Jan. 8.
In one regard, karate and boxing are much alike.
You put in the work before you can put on a show — even for charity.
“You don’t get into the fun fancy stuff right out of the gate,” said Collins, pondering why his teenage kids, son Chase and daughter Olivia, only dabbled in the martial art that grabbed and held him.
“You have to learn how to stand properly, the stance is the basic blocks. It’s not like in the movies where they do three classes and they’re winning karate tournaments.”
Tournaments around the world. Mexico, New York, Australia.
Karate took Collins to all these places. He even competed in the Sydney arena where Olympic power-lifting was held.
Collins still helps with karate belt-testings every now and then. But his Sunday morning karate sparring sessions are on hold.
Boxing is his focus now.
“I’ve got to get my head in the right space.”
That’s because, on April 12th, his kids will be ringside watching. So will his brother Rob, a former NHL hockey player assistant coach with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League.
“You’re too old for this,” Rob ribs him. “You’re going to get knocked out.”
Collins, who was urged to take part by his friend and past Champion for Charity Lara Johnson, looks at things more philosophically.
“I spar karate, getting punched and kicked as a hobby,” he says.
“So why not get punched for charity, right?”
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