The Cranbrook Eagles Boxing Club is hosting a prestigious tournament this weekend at the Prestige Inn.

The Buckskin Gloves Boxing Championships is one of the oldest boxing tournaments in British Columbia, said Bill Watson, coach at the Cranbrook. "Originally it was an all-aboriginal tournament, but they've opened it up to all participants."

Watson said there's still a special award - the Buckskin Award - presented to the most outstanding aboriginal boxer of the tournament.

The Eagles put in a bid for the tournament this year, and got it," Watson said. "We're going to do the best we can with it - it could lead to bigger things, like Golden Gloves tournaments or Western Canadian Championships."

Watson said the target for the tournament was 60 entries - as of press time, it was approaching that mark, with boxers coming from as far away as Peace River and Edmonton, Alberta, Vancouver, and Kalispell, Montana.

"Nine of the entries are local boxers," Watson said. "And six of those nine will be making their debut in the ring."

Ages of the competitors range from 10 years old (a boxer from Kalispell) up the 18 years and older in the Elite Division.

Among the local boxers are Colin Adams, the two-time provincial champion and the most experienced boxer in the Eagles Club, and Tammy Bain, a local boxing coach and teacher. Other local boxers are Kaylin Bain (no relation), Ryan Lindsay, Brandon Luke, Gage Duthie, Brook Byram, Jason Mackie and Ben Freiss.

Several other provincial champions will be in attendance, including Vancouver's Jaime Ward, the provincial female featherweight champion.

The tournament will be held in the ballroom of the Prestige Inn. As of press time, 19 bouts were scheduled, beginning Saturday, May 14, at 7 p.m. Watson said match bouts will be organized for uncontested boxers. The finals are set for Sunday, May 19, beginning at 12 noon.

The boxers are categorized according to age and weight class. Each age division will have its own weight classes. "A couple of divisions will be very interesting and exciting," Watson said. "We have the B.C. provincial champion in the Open Senior Elite Lightweight Division, with two boxers coming in from Alberta to challenge for that title.

"Another division that's always exciting is the Heavyweight (200 pounds) and Super Heavyweight (over 200 pounds). We've got some exciting competitors from British Columbia and Alberta."

Each bout will be comprised of three rounds. Officials are coming in from Revelstoke, Trail, Fernie and Vernon. There will be local officials on hand as well.

The 2011 Buckskin Gloves Boxing Championships is open to the public, and tickets are available at the door.