A bout between champions, both former and present.

A fighter's return to the ring after a near crippling injury.

A classic boxing match that came down to the last 30 seconds and brought the fans out of their seats to cheer.

Even if it wasn't the main bout of the Soo Line Boxing Club's card on Saturday, Chad Olson's fight with middleweight champion Moses Alli had all the elements to make it the most memorable.

Olson's battle with Moses Alli was one of six fights held during the evening, which brought fighters from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba to the club's gym at the Souris Valley Extended Care Centre.

"If it was not the best boxing card in Weyburn for many years, it certainly was the most exciting," said Soo Line Boxing Club coach Hank Hartenberger.

The card was a success despite the cancellation of several matches, including the bout between Saskatchewan middleweight champion Michael Walchuk and Manitoba champion Dale Cunny. This match was scheduled as the main event, but had to be cancelled due to a death in Cunny' s family.

But the loss of the main event did not put a damper on the evening's entertainment. "The Olson fight made up for that," said Hartenberger.

This was the first fight for Olson, a former Junior National silver medallist, since being out of the ring for three years; Olson took off the time to both raise a family and recuperate from an injured hand, which some thought would end his career as a boxer.

The bout started out at a fast pace and demonstrated good boxing technique, as both were hitting hard and often. Olson, who weighed in at 156 lbs., seemed to win the first round with Alli, "but just by a whisper," said Hartenberger.

In the second round, said Hartenberger, the pace became even faster. Alli was very strong, tough and hard-hitting; the crowd was on their feet cheering on the two fighters so loudly "you could hardly hear yourself think," he added.

Alli managed to win the second round, but was bleeding about the face and starting to show signs of wear.

The third round also seemed to go to Alli, said Hartenberger. But as the clock ticked down and there were only 30 seconds left, Olson opened up with both fists and made a comeback.

"It was a literal war," said Hartenberger.

Olson managed to win the bout by a very close but unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the Weyburn boxer 59 to 58.

Both fighters were awarded a trophy for best bout of the night, and Olson was also chosen as best senior boxer.

There were several other success stories for the Soo Line Club from Saturday night, however. Saskatchewan Junior Champion Joel Franks of Weyburn, who weighed in at 132 pounds, won on a split decision over his opponent, Peter Spence of Calgary, Alta.

Hartenberger said both boxers were fast and demonstrated excellent boxing techniques, but applauded Franks' effort. "This was probably the best bout of Franks' career," he said.

Franks later won the best junior trophy and Spence was awarded best sportsmanship with ability.

Josh Norman, a 147-pound welterweight out of Weyburn, also won his first-ever bout on Saturday. Despite being a rookie, Hartenberger said he came out quick and hit hard against Steve Sullivan of Regina.

Norman gave Sullivan a standing eight-count in the second round and another standing eight-count in the third until the Regina coach threw in the towel.

Norman won by voluntary retirement and was later awarded a special trophy as most popular boxer.

Ryan Nankenechny of Weyburn defeated fellow Weyburn boxer Attley Roettger in a split decision.

There were some losses, however. Will Orr, a light heavyweight weighing in at 175 pounds, lost a close split decision to Noel Harding of Brandon, Man. Hartenberger said there was no style or technique in this fight; both fighters simply kept hitting each other in "a determined slugfest brawl," he added.

The fight wore down Orr, who had to sit in the corner several minutes before he could walk out of the ring. Meanwhile, Harding took home the award for most courageous fighter.

Saskatchewan Junior Champ Evan Nyhus, who weighed in at 125 pounds, lost a close decision to Alberta champ Steven Knox of Calgary. Nyhus fought hard but had difficulty with the left-handed style of the Calgary boxer.

Besides the cancellation of the Walchuk-Cunny fight, two other fights were cancelled; Dean Hodgkins, a Weyburn welterweight, was scheduled to fight with Mike Norris of Calgary, but his opponent had injured his hand a week ago in Edmonton, Alta.

Also, Ashley Herberholz of Weyburn, who weighed in at 165 pounds, was scheduled to fight Jason Lapine of Brandon, Man. Lapine weighed in too heavy, however, and the bout was cancelled.