BY SCOTT HADDOW
Sudbury-based mixed martial arts fighter Derek Giroux recently
won his first professional bout at the King of the Cage Freedom
Fight event in Quebec.
Fighting at last minute's notice, Giroux seized the opportunity
and made short work out of his overwhelmed opponent, beating
him 90 seconds into the first round.
Over the last few months, Giroux has been punishing his mind
and body in an effort to be in peak shape.
A miner by day, he worked long shifts underground and emerged
only to go into a gym he built in his garage so he could train
all night.
A family man, Giroux has given up a lot, but has also gained a
lot. What he has learned he will pass onto his children.
 "It was hard on my family with me working all day and training all night seven days a week," said the 155-pound fighter. "It was worth it. Besides winning…if there's one thing I can tell my kids, Daniel and Stephan, is that if they want something bad enough in life, then don't hold back, work hard at it and they can achieve it. Hopefully, as they grow up, they can look up to me…be inspired to do something good."
Giroux had more trouble before the bout than the actual
fight.
"Going into it was nerve-wracking," said the ground-and-pound
expert. "I was ready to puke. Once I got in the cage though…it
all went away and the fight was on."
Giroux was paired up against a brawler by the name of Barry
McDonald. King of the Cage promoters had called Giroux's coach,
Yves Charette, days before the event looking for a 155-pound
fighter. Giroux didn't hesitate and leapt at the chance.
The match was savage.
"He tried to take me down, but I landed on top of him," said
the 30-year-old. "I brought him near my corner and proceeded to
pound the heck out of his face…but then he got me in an arm
bar. The ref was asking me if I was OK. I looked down at him
and saw his face was bloody…I wasn't going to tap out. I got
out and turned him over and choked him out…he tapped out and it
was over."
Giroux has a professional approach to the sport.
"Derek has great listening skills and is always ready to learn
something new," said coach Charette. "He was ready to fight at
the last minute. He trained hard. The determination he has is
out of this world. When he does something, he puts his all into
it."
Giroux is back in the cage on March 3.
"I am going to do it on a regular basis but I am not committing
to anything big," said the Hanmer High School graduate. "I have
no real long-term goals and I am going to take it slow. Winning
was a great accomplishment and a great feeling. I've never done
something like this before. It's a big sport and only getting
bigger. I'm not letting it go to my head though. I am proud of
myself."
Besides Giroux, two other fighters from Charette's stable will
be competing - Dan Grandmaison and Rene Tardif.
"These guys all work hard and never complain," said Charette.
"We have big promoters asking at us events about our team
presence."
