\u2018Here to be a world champion\u2019: Saanich boxer heads south for heavyweight bout<\/p>\n
Published 12:00 pm Thursday, January 22, 2026<\/p>\n
Just two months after a bruising WBC title fight in Victoria ended in a no contest, Brandon Colantonio is heading south for another shot at a championship.<\/p>\n
Colantonio (6-1) will face Esera Iosefa (4-1) for a regional heavyweight title on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Arena Wars Fighting Series in Salem, Oregon.<\/p>\n
The 29-year-old brings lessons of his November bout into his preparation, which comes with a quick turnaround, but one that didn\u2019t deter him from agreeing to the fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a nice quick turnaround, but I\u2019m in shape and I feel great,\u201d Colantonio said. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go in there, do my thing, put on a good performance and take a belt home, back to Canada. It\u2019s always cool to represent Victoria in a positive way and show that us Canadians can do great things in this sport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colantonio\u2019s WBC fight against Jaye Byard at Victoria\u2019s Bay Street Armoury ended after a cut to Byard forced the referee to stop the bout, leading to the no contest decision.<\/p>\n
Colantonio, listed at 6\u20194\u201d, said the experience only strengthened his resolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat fight was a war,\u201d he said. \u201cI overcame a lot personally: My nose was broken, we were both bleeding profusely, but I was in the gym literally the next day. This is my love, my passion. I\u2019m here to become a world champion, and I want to bring a world title to the Island. If you\u2019re going to do that, you can\u2019t feel sorry for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The upcoming fight presents a different challenge. Iosefa fights orthodox, compared to the southpaw-oriented Byard.<\/p>\n
Colantonio has been training with longtime coach Jason Heit, owner of Island Boxing and Island MMA, to adapt his approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about doing what I do best: move, hit, take angles, keep him at range, make him miss and make him pay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Heit said Colantonio\u2019s work ethic and discipline make him a fighter to watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrandon is continuing to progress, develop and climb the rankings,\u201d Heit said. \u201cHe\u2019s fighting for a regional title in the Pacific Northwest. This is an important fight for him and I\u2019m confident in his ability due to his hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
The relationship between fighter and coach spans more than a decade, and Colantonio said it shows in the ring.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been training together for 15 years,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s stuff he doesn\u2019t even need to say that I know what to do. His preparation for fighting is unmatched. If you ever watch him in the corner with me, you won\u2019t hear him talk much. He just says the things that count.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colantonio said fighting away from home adds intensity, but he thrives under pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I\u2019m in there, I\u2019m kind of like Batman,\u201d he said. \u201cOutside the ring, I\u2019m Brandon Colantonio, the friendly-guy. In there, I\u2019m dangerous. I come in to fight, and I\u2019ll always fight my heart out. It\u2019s kill or be killed.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Colantonio, it\u2019s another opportunity to climb the ladder.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is not to be there for his right hand, move, snipe, use my jab effectively, and take angles,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m feeling really good right now. There\u2019s no excuse not to fight to my ability and get the job done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s fight is one of seven on the Arena Wars card at Salem Armory Auditorium, beginning at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Victoria kickboxer earns first career win in pro debut at iconic Tokyo venue<\/a><\/p>\n