Twin Boxers

A set of twins in the sport of boxing isn’t that unusual, but when they’re brother and sister, well that is.

The O’Reilly’s are siblings that have been boxing since they were in their early teens, and both have big fights coming up; one of them on St. Patrick’s Day.

Josh O’Reilly, 27, first put on boxing gloves when he was 14 years old

“I loved boxing growing up. My grandpa was a boxer and would tell us stories I thought they were cool.”

His twin sister Kassandra joined a year later.

“Our parents split when we were 13, so it was a huge outlet for us. Our coach and team behind us built another family for us.”

Josh is the lightweight IBA intercontinental champion, and has knocked out his last two opponents on his way to a 10-0 record, while Kassandra’s been the provincial champ in her weight class.

“It’s funny because when people look at me they say oh you don’t look like a boxer. What does a boxer look like?”

As a female fighter she’s used to dealing with the stereotypes.

“Comments like you hit like a girl are so irrelevant, because as a female I feel I could hit harder than most males.”

Kassandra is hoping to get back in the ring for a fight in April, while Josh is taking on a fighter from Mexico on St. Patrick’s Day and he’s predicting a knockout in the sixth round.

As twins they were already tight, but boxing has brought them closer together.

“Huge pride, my brother is my best friend, role model, hero. I look up to him with everything I do.”

“We’re doing the same thing everyday. To get in the ring and actually fight someone, it takes a special person to do that.” said Josh.

Josh’s title defense is Saturday night at the Hershey Centre and he’s helping to raise money for Raise the Roof to fight youth homelessness.