You can’t follow boxing in Selkirk without knowing the name Devin Tomko.
He has spent years training the next generation of local fighters out of Selkirk’s Maulers Boxing Club, while also hosting the majority of fight cards held in town over the past two years.
Thirty-three-year-old Devin Tomko formerly fought professionally for Canadian and minor world titles before his two-year retirement period started in 2024
But his success as a coach and organizer has come largely from his experience as a fighter.
The 33-year-old light heavyweight previously fought professionally for Canadian and minor world titles.
Following a loss in a 10-round title fight in 2024, the then-31-year-old Tomko traded in his gloves for hitting pads, focusing on training Selkirk’s up-and-comers.
That was until early 2026, when he was coaching some of his protégés in Alberta and received an offer to return to the ring for a light heavyweight bout on a United Boxing Promotions card in Ottawa.
With a burning desire to avenge his 2024 loss, Tomko accepted the challenge of a short training camp to prepare for a return bout seven weeks later against longtime pro Abraham “Cholo” Gomez of Guadalajara, Mexico.
When fight day arrived last Saturday, Tomko and his coaching staff entered the ring at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa knowing there would be fireworks.
The fight lived up to expectations, featuring six rounds of bone-jarring head and body shots.
After the dust settled, Selkirk’s own had his hand raised as he was named the winner by unanimous decision.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I love doing what I do, so I had to obviously shake out some rust and whatnot, but just being back in there felt great,” said Tomko.
He, along with his ringside crew of Dylan Martin, Rega Jihad and Sascha Hijazi, took a moment to soak in the crowd’s cheers following the decision — many of whom had seen Tomko fight in Ottawa in his 20s.
“I forgot how many supporters I still had in Ottawa, so it was nice when I walked out, got to hear the crowd cheering for me and everything. It was nice motivation for sure,” said Tomko.
He said he escaped the fight with next to no bumps and bruises, aside from some hand soreness.
While he could consider returning to retirement, he feels Saturday’s victory may instead mark the beginning of a second boxing career.
“It really all depends. I know the promoter wants me back in October out in Ottawa again, so I’m going to kind of keep my options open, get back into the gym and keep working, and let the story unfold,” said Tomko.
He will also continue coaching, where one of his students, 17-year-old Damir Kudusov, recently won gold at the 2026 Boxing Canada Youth Open Nationals.
Tomko is also planning Maulers’ Fight Night V, which will feature Team Canada versus Team El Salvador in an international showdown on Saturday, July 4 at the Selkirk Recreation Complex.
