Meet Victoria ‘Slick Vic’ Williamson, one of a kind with a positive mind!
Fight To End Cancer #FTEC2023 Fighter, Victoria Williamson [Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]
“Once I started feeling comfortable, I was like, ‘Wow, this actually feels really good,’”
A few years later, it was the invitation to compete in a real fight that, understandably, gave pause.
At first, she was undecided. “I’m not sure I actually want to get in the ring,” she said. When she discussed it with one of her Kingsway Boxing Club friends, the woman who would be her charity-bout opponent, the idea grew intriguing so after it appeared that another boxer took the position, Victoria felt something akin to regret.
“I had this really strong feeling of, ‘Oh, I’m disappointed,’ and that’s when I knew I should have said yes. When the position came open again, I said, ‘I’m in.’”
Fighting under the name “Slick Vic,” the grade seven students and staff at the school where Victoria teaches are now helping with the fundraising for the Fight To End Cancer but it has also become a lesson, of sorts, about the embrace of challenge, whatever it may be.
Victoria says,
“A lot of the women on staff have been really supportive and say, ‘Wow, this is really cool that you’re doing this – it’s great that you can show young girls that they can do hard things. I have talked to my students about it and a lot of the girls and even parents have reached out and said, ‘You know, my daughter is really excited for you.’
So, that part of it feels really good, like I might be able to inspire some of the younger girls. I have talked to my students about it and a lot of the girls and even parents have reached out and said, ‘You know, my daughter is really excited for you.’ So, that part of it feels really good, like I might be able to inspire some of the younger girls.
I tell them, it’s not about fighting, it’s very technical, and I’m enjoying learning the technique. It’s not what you see in movies”
With the concept of ‘do hard things’ capturing the imagination of her students, Victoria is building it into a second-term activity on goal setting, using FTEC as an example.
“It could be academically, or something in their personal life, or a sport they play. I mapped out what those criteria mean for me – with my goal raising money for FTEC and hopefully winning my match.
“And then we’ll do a reflective piece about checking in with yourself. Where are you at with your goals? Why do we set goals? It’s okay to do things that make you scared, that you’re nervous about.
For Victoria, personally, it’s the discipline of the FTEC training that is so enthralling.
Victoria Training For Fight To End Cancer 2023. [Photo credit: Virgil Barrow]
Boxing requires the mind to focus on the milliseconds, to exist in the moment. It encapsulates the concept of ‘presence,’ an emerging philosophy away from society’s Twitter-ish distractibility. Presence offers the ability to connect in conversation, in nature or with music. In boxing, presence is needed to connect, literally, with an opponent.
It’s her great aunt Gayle, who will be on Victoria’s mind as she walks toward the ring on May 27. Victoria said Gayle, her father’s aunt, had cancer treatments for years before her death in 2007.
Gallery of her great aunt Gayle, Victoria with her best friend, Victoria’s parents, and Victoria with her cousins.
“I was quite young, but for whatever reason, I have a very clear vision of her. She was battling cancer all throughout the time that I was alive. And she was just such a wonderful lady. She had a such a positive energy to her no matter what she was doing.
“That sticks with me a lot,” she says. “And so that’s who I’m fighting for.”
The FTEC2023 Fight Team stands united to Fight The Fight That Affects Us All! With the goal of reaching $3 million in 2023, 100% of all KO Cancer Bootcamp proceeds go to research at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION!
Public Relations Team, Fight To End Cancer
info@fighttoendcancer.com
Donations to our Fight Team can be made at: fighttoendcancer.com.
Photos available upon request.
Interview Opportunities:
Interview Opportunities are available in studio, on site, and via phone or email with:
- Jennifer Huggins (Executive Director and Founder, Fight To End Cancer)
- Virgil Barrow (Fight Team Head Coach, Kingsway Boxing Club)
- FTEC 2023 Fight Team members (contacts available upon request)
- Presenting Partners:
- Landscape Plus Ltd. (Since 2015)
- Grafton Apparel Ltd. (Since 2014)
MEET THE FTEC FIGHT TEAM
Help the #FTEC2023 Fight Team reach their goal of $3 million dollars before Fight Night! Use the link below to get to know the individual team members better and support them in their Fight To End Cancer! Defeat Is NOT An Option
About The Fight To End Cancer
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is a year-round initiative carried out by ambassadors, sponsors and volunteers worldwide. Over $2,000,000 has been donated to date, since our inaugural year, in 2012. Funds raised by FTEC are donated directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Each year we celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication of our FTEC family with a black-tie charity boxing gala. This gala showcases ten men and women who represent our Official Fight Team. Our goal is to raise funds for cancer research year-round with the support of the local community and business owners. Let’s make a difference now in the fight to end cancer, for a long and successful future for everyone. This is an event like no other and has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in Toronto. www.fighttoendcancer.com
About The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation at University Health Network raises funds for breakthrough research, exemplary teaching and compassionate care at Princess Margaret Hospital and its research arm, the Ontario Cancer Institute, which now includes The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and The Campbell Family Breast Cancer Research Institute. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.thepmcf.ca
