Page 34 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 40

34 Looking for deals on wheels? Visit our automotive “Teammates”.

The Italian Winterspiel What It’s Like to Train

Submitted Article A division over Angus McLeod’s team and Corner Your Son
of Vice Brendan Blakely, Second
horuses of New York, New York Lew Stanley, and Lead Pierre Rozon. some mistakes along the way and I
Cand That’s Amore were bouncing The key to Wert’s come from behind learned with Tony. Tony is a talented
off the walls as our curling centre victory was scoring 3 in the 6th end to and gifted athlete, who could have
was rocking on the final night of this tie the game at 6-6 and then a steal of excelled at other sports like track and

year’s Winterspiel. It was a great way 3 in the 7th end to take a commanding field or soccer. Boxing is his passion

to end a great week of food, drink, and lead into the 8th and final end. and love as well as mine. It is difficult

curling. The army of volunteers did to watch your son get hit, especially
Marie-Claude Commeau’s team
a wonderful job preparing food each with unnecessary shots. This is why
of Vice Joan Sauve, Second Jane
night of the week, highlighted by a I am harder on my son than anyone
McDonald, and Lead Allison Main
fabulous Italian feast Saturday night. else in my gym. When Tony trains
won the Ladies’ A division over Susan
On the ice, twenty-eight men’s and Fort’s team of Vice Debbie Tropea, properly and puts in the time and
ladies’ teams competed for bragging Second Debbie Bourdeau, and Lead work and is disciplined outside the
rights and a chance to go to a very Norma Lamoureux. gym, I don’t worry as much. It’s a
well-stocked prize table. Once again, By Jorge Luis tough sport and there are better and
The Ladies’ A Consolation was won by easier ways to make a living. When
Pommier Jewellers sponsored the often get asked what it is like to
Mitch Baker’s team of Vice Samatha Tony is in the ring, simply put I am
Ladies’ competition and provided I watch my son Tony box and work in
Dexter, Second Amanda Jacobs, and fighting in the ring with him. Every

a great selection of prizes. On the his corner. Some people even ask me
Lead Sharyn Kelly. punch he takes, I feel and take. If
Men’s side several sponsors stepped how can I do it? Quite frankly when
up to provide an equally attractive The Men’s A Consolation was won Tony started boxing as a 12 year- anyone wrongs my son, they have to
prize table; our kudos go out to Bill & by Terry Lichty’s team of Vice Ron old I often was so nervous before a deal with me. I am not approachable
Denise Dickey, St. Lawrence Testing, Leroux, Second Rob Cotman, and fi ght I shook and was sweating. Pack when Tony is in the boxing ring. It’s
Cornwall Dental Arts, MacEwens, the Lead Phil Riel. of nerves to say the least. I used to WAR. I do everything to prepare
Squire Shop, and the City of Cornwall. wonder, if he has 40-50-60 bouts as him and look at every scenario and
Once again, the club ran a great event an amateur how am I going to do it? prepare for it.

The five days of curling were concluded with a lot of people looking forward
Well 104 amateur bouts and 24 pro As time has gone on I have had to
with Charley Wert’s team of Vice Rob to next year. Our congratulations go
bouts later I am still here and have not moderate and accept that he won’t
Mahon, Second Paul McNeil, and out to all who helped out and to all the
had a heart attack, yet! Quite frankly have a great night in the gym every
Lead Jace Patkai winning the Men’s participants.
to be a boxing champion was Tony’s night. I have had to put some water
For All Your Hardwood Flooring dream, not mine. I love the sweet in my wine and strive for perfection
science of boxing, but never intended with the knowledge that nothing is
nor suspected having one grow up in ever perfect. Literally when Tony is
starting at my house. So what is it like to train in the ring, I would lay my life down

$ 75 your son? Very difficult!! If I had for him; if King Kong comes into the
lived in Montreal or Ottawa I would ring he will have to deal with Tony
4 sq. ft. have gladly let Tony be trained by and myself. I can quite honestly say
an old hand such as Russ Amber of that. I believe in Tony and I know

Montreal or Joe Sandulo of Ottawa. his capabilities, his strengths and

In Cornwall I was Tony’s only choice. weaknesses and faults. We are all
human and make mistakes, but we
A son naturally wants his father’s
never give up and stop trying.
acceptance and at the same time, his
own independence. It’s been a roller The worst moment for me was when I
coaster ride for sure. Tony often says had to throw the towel in and stop the
now, we have been through things fi ght against former US Champion

that would have pulled others apart. Jose Hernadez. It was heart-
But, we remain together and are wrenching and surreal, it sickened
Premiun bonded in unconditional love. Do I me, but Tony was not reacting the
Canadian
Product worry? Yes! Fathers in boxing who way he was supposed to. It is a
train their sons tend to be one of two testament to Tony’s character that
www.seasonsfl ooring.com things. Either they are too brave he came back to be a World Ranked
contact Hannah and think their son is an unbeatable boxer after such a defeat. It was, in
champ and can beat anyone, or they hindsight, a humbling experience for
hannah@emardlumber.ca are over protective of their son and Tony and showed he was not bullet
won’t put them in tough matches, thus proof. For me I changed the training
emard bros. lumber the fighter never develops properly. I in the gym and vowed that this would

like to think I am somewhere in the never happen again under my watch
www.emardlumber.ca middle. I am protective but I also if I could help it. So, yes, it is tough
realistically know that to be the best to train your son and very diffi cult
840 Tenth Street East, Cornwall • 613 935-9937 you have to beat the best. I have made Continued on page 35