THE BOXING CANADA ROAD IS LONG AND WINDING

THE BOXING ROAD IS LONG AND WINDING:  By Brian Zelley
Most of those boxers that step into the ring to compete in the Nationals
will not be on the victory stand at the end of the show.  The following
covers the travels of two of those boxers from Boxing Ontario.
GuelphMercury - Guelph boxers’ medal hopes end in Cape Breton

The story of heavyweight Paul Rasmussen and light-heavy 
Fabricio Portillio is not much different from hundreds of other
boxers that have entered a National tournament.  Many try
but only one in each division will see gold dangling around
their neck. Paul dropped a decision to Team-A's
SAMIR EL MAIS who used his experience to edge Rasmussen,
with a little help from the judges  and  the referee.


Looking at any Provincial team, there are always those stories
of disappointment, but in reality any that manage to participate
should consider themselves lucky to make the trip.  


Over the decades of Boxing Canada from 1969 onward, there
have been hundreds of boxers, coaches and officials who have
been overlooked or have just missed the boat for a volume of 
reasons including sickness or injury.  On the other hand there
have been some that went, but did not have the tools to compete
in an effective manner, but due to whatever circumstances they
were picked to experience the golden opportunity.  So anyone
who did get the opportunity to compete once or twice they 
should have no regrets or complaints.


Take the team from British Columbia, how many should have 
gone due to their excellence and how many went as just another
warm body does not matter.  Each one went with that opportunity
to be the best that they can be at the time and gain new experiences.
When all is said and done, only about two of the team boxers will
make the finals, but for the others their participation is appreciated.
BC's two standouts prior to the finals include flyweight KENNY LALLY
and light-heavyweight THOMAS SPEIRS.  Both train in Prince George
one of the all-time hot spots for amateur boxing and some history of
some quality pro boxers.