Image: GoFundMe / Chilliwack boxer Ella Meredith is hoping to raise funds in order to support her as she represents Canada in the bantamweight division at the Pan-Am Games happening August 1-10 in Cali, Colombia this summer. Meredith, who fights out of Chilliwack Boxing Club BC, was introduced to the sport by her dad, John Meredith, who was an amateur boxer himself.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack boxer heading to Pan-Am Games

Chilliwack boxer Ella Meredith to represent Canada at 2023 Pan-Am Games

Jun 29, 2023 | 10:09 AM

CHILLIWACK — Ella Meredith of Chilliwack picked up the boxing bug when she was six years old and has yet to put down her gloves, or her love of fighting, over a decade later.

And while she relishes a good challenge inside the ring, her biggest battle is happening outside of it.

Meredith, an 18-year-old bantamweight orthodox boxer, has an amazing opportunity to represent Canada at the 2023 Pan-Am Games this summer in Colombia. But it comes with a cost.

“If I’m going to get there, I’ll need a little bit of extra help,” Meredith wrote in a GoFundMe campaign launched earlier this week. “While I love the fight inside the ring, it’s the one outside — raising funds — that’s threatening to knock me out for the count.”

Meredith traces her love of boxing back to when her dad introduced her to the sport. Her dad, John Meredith, was an amateur boxer.

Most Wanted

CRIME STOPPERS: Most Wanted - Week of April 6, 2025

1h ago

With 8.7m birds dead, B.C. farmers assess avian flu toll, and worry about what's next

3h ago

Vehicle fire

Update: Hwy. 1 fully open after vehicle fire briefly closes e/b Highway 1 west of Chilliwack

17h ago

“I have loved boxing since I was six years old,” she said. “That was when my dad first put boxing gloves on me. He was an amateur boxer and has since become my biggest fan, putting aside many things — and sometimes being a hard ass — to coach and train me to become the best boxer I can be. He even moved our family so my siblings and I could have more opportunities — we’re all boxers.”

Meredith began seriously training at the age of 10 with her dad as her coach. She became a regular participant at SouthPaw Boxing Club in Alberta at age 12, and competed in her first amateur fight that same year. Just a year later at the age of 13, she won the Alberta Golden Gloves, Silver Gloves and Alberta Provincials thanks to her dad and Southpaw Boxing.

During the pandemic, she continued training under her dad and Terry Coveney, before moving to BC where she won two BC Provincial Championships back to back. Fast forward to the age of 17 where she won the YYC Cup (Western Canada Championships), and is now the No. 1 pick for the Canadian national team in her weight class.

Meredith was born in the United Kingdom and moved with her family to Saskatchewan in 2015. Following a move to Alberta, she now calls BC home and fights out of Chilliwack Boxing Club BC.

“All that moving has been expensive,” Meredith acknowledged. “But my parents believed the sacrifice would be worth it. I wish money weren’t an issue, but as it turns out, competing internationally really adds up!”

As part of her GoFundMe campaign, the funds Meredith hopes to raise will cover her travel, food, and accommodation expenses. She’ll need to head back to Montreal to train and prepare to compete before traveling to Cali, Colombia, for the Pan-Am Games happening August 1-10.

“Being invited to try out for the National Team in Montreal was a huge privilege, and being chosen as their No. 1 pick was an even greater honor and the happiest moment in my life!” Meredith said. “I can’t even express how thrilling it was to be asked to represent Canada at the Pan-Am Games. I’m so excited I still can’t sleep, which is why I want to do everything I can to get there.”

Image: GoFundMe / Ella Meredith (right, in blue) fights an opponent in the bantamweight division.

Meredith considers herself extremely lucky to receive an opportunity to represent Canada.

“But competing at the Pan-Am games is not only a dream; it’s a goal I hope to achieve so that I can help and someday coach young girls in my community who are struggling financially or personally to find significant purpose, values, discipline, and confidence in the sport of boxing as I have,” she said. “I guess you could say competing in the Pan-Am games is part of a more significant journey I’m on to help others. Others have invested in me, and I hope to do the same.”

With 12 years of boxing under her belt, Meredith has her sights set on a much higher plateau after the Pan-Am Games.

Image: GoFundMe

“I’m just getting started. My sights are set on representing Canada at the Olympics, the World Championships, and then my pro card when I am older,” Meredith said.

Meredith says she appreciates whatever support the community can provide her as she strives to represent Canada.

“Thank you for supporting me! When I get to the Pan-Am Games, I will make every punch count!” Meredith said.