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Draft:Troy Roberts (boxer)

{{AfC submission|t||ts=20250506220341|u=Deady3728|ns=118|demo=}}

{{short description|Canadian artist and former boxer (born 1971)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Troy Roberts

| native_name =

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Troy Kwakseesthala

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|07|31}}

| birth_place = Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada

| fighting_out_of = Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height = 6 ft 2 in{{cite web|url=http://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/6756|title=BoxRec: Troy Roberts|website=boxrec.com|access-date=May 5, 2025}}

| weight = 240 lb

| weight_class = Heavyweight

| reach = {{convert|73|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}

| style = Boxing

| rank =

| stance = Orthodox

| team =

| trainer =

| years_active = {{ubli|1994–2004 (boxing)}}

| box_win = 8

| box_kowin = 7

| box_loss = 12

| box_draw = 0

| box_nc = 1

| other =

| occupation = Fisherman

| spouse =

| children =

| relatives =

| students =

| university =

| url =

| boxrec = 6756

| updated =

}}

Troy Kwakseesthala (born July 31, 1971){{cite web |url=https://boxerlist.com/en/boxer/troy-roberts/5890 |title=• Troy Roberts boxer • |access-date=May 5, 2025}}, also known as Troy Roberts, is a Canadian artist, carver, fisherman, and retired professional boxer.

Born in Campbell River, Roberts is a member of the Campbell River First Nation (Wei Wai Kum) of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. He first began his art career in 1993, where he was both part of the design crew and the steering crew of the canoe "KlineeQwala", which roughly translates to "Lightning Speed".{{Cite web|url=https://www.changingtidecreations.com/about.htm|title=Changing Tide Creations - About the Artist|access-date=7 May 2025}} In 1994, he made his boxing debut after a successful bout in New Westminster, British Columbia, and followed up with a second win in that year. Roberts continued with several wins in the following years in his native Canada, the United States, the Philippines, and Germany, until 1997, where after an initial win he would face several losses in the coming bouts including matches against famous boxers such as Eric "Butterbean" Esch, Joe Hipp, and Vitali Klitschko.

Hampered by his busy life as a fisherman and lacking time to train, Roberts retired from boxing in 2004, nearly ten years after his debut. He then continued his life as a fisherman as well as creating his own studio, named "[https://www.changingtidecreations.com/index.html Changing Tide Creations]" where he continues to create artwork representative of his heritage.

Early Life

Troy Kwakseesthala was born in Campbell River, British Columbia on July 31st, 1971. He is descended from chiefs of the Weiwakum First Nation, and from a young age was immersed in his native cultural heritage; learning about the dances and myths of his people under the disciplined guidance of the late Elizabeth Kwaksistala.{{cite web |title=Troy Kwakseesthala - Stonington Gallery |url=https://stoningtongallery.com/artist/troy-kwakseesthala/#bio |website=Stonington Gallery |access-date=7 May 2025}} In 1993 he was part of the team that created the canoe "KlineeQwala" and was the stern-most figure in the team that paddled the canoe from Campbell River to the Qatuwas Festival in Bella Bella, a distance of about {{convert|270|miles|km|0|abbr=on}}.

Career

=Boxing Career (1994-2004)=

Kwakseethala debuted his boxing career on July 13, 1994 under the name Troy Roberts, a name which he still uses professionally to this day. His first bout took place at the Queen's Park Arena in New Westminster, British Columbia, winning by technical knockout against Sam Weissman.

Artistry

Roberts' artwork consists of wood carvings featuring but are not limited to totems, masks, and paddles. As a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw / Kwakiutl / Kwagiulth peoples, Roberts' carving style is emblematic of the native culture of the area. Stonington Gallery, an American art gallery focused on exhibiting contemporary art of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, states the following,

{{Blockquote |Renowned for carving and considered the most theatrical of all of the northwest coast tribes, the Kwakwaka’wakw carving style is bold, with deep incisions. The hallmark bright colors characteristically combined with white paint highlight dramatic expressions intensifying the features in firelight dance performance.{{cite web |title=Kwakwaka'wakw / Kwakiutl / Kwagiulth - Stonington Gallery |url=https://stoningtongallery.com/tribe/kwakwakawakw-kwakiutl-kwagiulth/ |website=Stonington Gallery |access-date=7 May 2025}}}}

Roberts himself stated in an article by Native Art in Canada, "When a vision comes to me, I put pencil to paper and draw until I am satisfied with what I see. The process of carving has many steps. For example, the right selection of wood is very important. I use red cedar for larger pieces such as masks but I like yellow cedar for rattles, bowls, talking sticks and paddles."{{cite web |title=Troy Roberts - native artist and sculptor. |url=https://www.native-art-in-canada.com/troyroberts.html |website=Native Art in Canada |access-date=7 May 2025}}

Roberts cites the late Willie Seaweed as one of his inspirations, and considers Seaweed "the most stylistically inventive artist of his time".{{cite web |title=Troy Roberts - Steinbrueck Native Gallery |url=https://steinbruecknativegallery.com/troy-roberts/ |website=Steinbrueck Native Gallery |date=June 16, 2017 |access-date=7 May 2025}}

Professional boxing record

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=0

|nc=1

|ko-wins=7

|ko-losses=10

|dec-wins=1

|dec-losses=2

}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{abbr|No.|Number}}

!Result

!Record

!Opponent

!Type

!Round, time

!Date

!Location

!Notes

21

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–12–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|United States}} Preston Hartzog

|UD

|6

|Feb 7, 2004

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|California}} Longshoreman's Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.

|

20

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–11–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|United States}} Preston Hartzog

|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}

|4

|Jan 23, 2004

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Utah}} Eccles Convention Center, Ogden, Utah, U.S.

|

19

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–10–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|United States}} Eric Esch

|TKO

|1 (4)

|Jun 13, 2003

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Oregon}} Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City, Oregon, U.S.

|

18

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–9–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Canada}} Egerton Marcus

|TKO

|1 (8) {{small|1:59}}

|Feb 22, 2001

|align=left|{{flagicon|Alberta}} Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

|align=left|{{small|Referee stopped the bout at 1:59 of the first round.}}

17

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–8–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|United States}} Shawn Jewell

|TKO

|3 (6) {{small|1:23}}

|Jul 10, 1999

|align=left|{{flagicon|Washington}} Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester, Washington, U.S.

|

16

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–7–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|United States}} Eric Esch

|TKO

|3 (4) {{small|0:41}}

|Sep 18, 1998

|align=left|{{flagicon|Nevada}} Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

|

15

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–6–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|United States}} Cody Koch

|KO

|1 (8) {{small|0:47}}

|Jan 16, 1998

|align=left|{{flagicon|Idaho}} Bank of America Centre, Boise, Idaho, U.S.

|

14

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8–5–0}}

|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|Jamaica}} Rupert Thomas

|TKO

|2 (6)

|Jun 12, 1997

|align=left|{{flagicon|Alberta}} Mayfield Inn, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

|

13

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|8-4-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Ukraine}} Vitali Klitschko

|TKO

|2 (6) {{small|1:14}}

|Feb 22, 1997

|align=left|{{flagicon|Germany}} Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany

|

12

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|8–3–0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Patrick Graham

|TKO

|4 (8)

|Jan 22, 1997

|align=left|{{flagicon|Alberta}} Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

|

11

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|7-3-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Joe Hipp

|KO

|2 (10)

|Oct 10, 1996

|align=left|{{flagicon|Washington}} Yakima Valley SunDome, Yakima, Washington, U.S.

|

10

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|7-2-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} James Smith

|TKO

|3 (10) {{small|2:36}}

|Apr 11, 1996

|align=left|{{flagicon|British Columbia}} University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

|

9

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|7–1–0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Ritchie Goosehead

|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}

|6

|Nov 6, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|Alberta}} Italian Cultural Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

|

8

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|6–1–0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Philippines}} Richard La Stage

|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}

|1 (?)

|Sep 30, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|Philippines}} Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Malate, Manila, Philippines

|

7

|{{no2}}Loss

|{{nowrap|5–1–0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Anthony Moore

|TKO

|2 (?)

|Aug 27, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|Washington}} Swinomish Northern Lights Casino, Anacortes, Washington, U.S.

|

6

|{{nocontest}}No Contest

|{{nowrap|5-0-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Young Joe Wade

|{{abbr|ND|No decision}}

|1 (4)

|Jun 23, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|British Columbia}} Cloverdale, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

|

5

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|5-0-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Mark Johnson

|TKO

|1 (4) {{small|3:00}}

|May 20, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|British Columbia}} Rutherford Playhouse, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

|

4

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|4-0-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Steve Randolph

|TKO

|1 (4)

|Mar 25, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|Montana}} Queen City Ice Palace, Helena, Montana, U.S.

|

3

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|3-0-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Don Laliberte

|TKO

|1 (4)

|Feb 24, 1995

|align=left|{{flagicon|Alberta}} Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

|

2

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|2-0-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|Canada}} Forrest Browatzke

|TKO

|1 (4)

|Dec 9, 1994

|align=left|{{flagicon|Alberta}} Convention Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

|

1

|{{yes2}}Win

|{{nowrap|1-0-0}}

|align=left|{{flagicon|United States}} Sam Weissman

|{{abbr|TKO|Technical Knockout}}

|1 (4)

|Jul 13, 1994

|align=left|{{flagicon|British Columbia}} Queen's Park Arena, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

|

References

{{reflist}}

{{uncategorised|date=May 2025}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Troy}}

:Category:Living people

:Category:1971 births

{{Drafts moved from mainspace|date=May 2025}}