Page 9 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 8

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Building Self Respect:

Youth Boxing Has a Bright Future

By Vincent Cama

Jorge Luis will be the first to admit

that boxing is a hard sell when it comes
to youth involvement.
When he, an excellent boxer in his
day before suffering a career ending
motorcycle accident, was working to
establish the Champs Eastside Boxing
Club he never wanted his son, Tony, to
follow in his footsteps.
“There’s a misconception in
Cornwall that I pushed him into it and

that I wanted him to be a fighter,” said
Luis of his son. “Actually, when Tony
was 9-10 years old I kept telling him
no.”
It was in no small part thanks to the
persuasion of Jorge’s wife Maria that
little Tony got the chance to strap on
the gloves.
“One night she told me ‘Why Maximus Bourgon, 9, is just one of the promising young boxers at Champs Eastside gym. Photo byVincent Cama
don’t you let him go?’” said Jorge. Today, entering its 13th year of the Quebec champion for his age and training until he gets his chance. In the
“‘He drives me crazy when you go to
operation, Champs Eastside gym is weight bracket during an exhibition in meantime, boxing is already showing
boxing,’” Maria continued. “’He goes not short on inspirational stories, not Montreal. some of its benefits to him.

downstairs watches the old boxing the least of which are new prospects “I wanna be the champion of the “It makes me proud of myself and
videos, he imitates the boxers on the
Isaac Benedict, 11, and Maximus world,” said Isaac who grew up in gives me confidence that I can do

bag and he’s down there doing sit-ups (Max) Bourgon, 9. Akwesasne. things that other people can’t,” said
and tossing the dumbbells around.’”
Jorge and Tony are excited for the “Isaac fought very well and I thought Max.
Soon after, Jorge got Tony’s word

The focus that they employ during
that he’d keep his marks up in school if two young fighters who they describe he got the better of it,” said Jorge training has ripple-down effects for
as “naturals”. “They’re the future,” about Isaac’s bout. “This kid sticks
he let him box. Tony did (for the most
said Tony. “Isaac is exceptionally with it he’ll be a Canadian champion. the rest of their life as well - Jorge
part) and from then on father and son strong for his age and Max has all the He’s falling in love with the sport, he makes sure of that. Like he told his
have shared a passion for the sport.
tools it takes to be a champion. They studies it, he watches stuff on You own son not too many years ago, if the
One look inside at the hard work
being done at Champs and it’s clear work hard, they listen, they show the Tube, he’s reading magazines, he’s boys don’t keep up with their school
loving it, which is great to see. When
adults how it’s done.”
work, then they don’t box. If Isaac and
that that passion is infectious. The

Max is still too young to fight in you blend his talent with work ethic Max can achieve similar results, then
discipline that comes with training Ontario (the minimum age is 11) but it’s magical.” the Cornwall area will have a bright
can provide a positive outlet for its
Isaac has just come back from facing For Max, it is a matter of waiting and boxing future.
practitioners of all ages.
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