‘I represented the town’
New Waterford brothers among boxing medalists at nationals
Matthew Ross was only looking to get some much-needed experience under his belt at boxing nationals. He ended up coming home with a gold medal instead.
The 16-year-old from New Waterford defeated Charles Robitaille of Quebec by split decision to claim gold in the 66 kg junior men’s division at the 2018 Super Channel Championships held last weekend in Edmonton.
“I came out slow the first round and then after that, I set my mind to going out, throwing as many punches as I can, landing every punch and winning the fight,” said the Grade 10 student at Breton Education Centre. “It’s an unreal feeling. I knew I was going to win, I was hoping I was going to win — I was so hyped up before I got my hand raised, but when my hand was raised, it was unreal.”
Ross, who has 10 fights to his credit, got into the sport three years ago when New Waterford Boxing Club coach Emerson Rose visited his father at his garage. Ross asked to give boxing a try, Rose gathered up some gear, and the rest is history.
At nationals, Ross said he was proud to bring a medal back home to New Waterford.
“That’s what I did up there, I represented the town.”
Matthew’s older brother, 17-year-old Joshua Ross, also brought home hardware from Edmonton. He took bronze after coming up short in a closely contested bout with Lincoln Pomeroy of British Columbia in the 91 kg super heavyweight division
“It’s great. Going up there with very little experience and winning a bronze is a great feeling,” said Josh, who only started boxing two years ago and fought competitively for the first time
in February of this year.
“(Pomeroy) had 27 fights,” he added of his bout at nationals. “The first round I won, the second round I lost, and the third round was very close.”
The 6-5 fighter weighed 270 pounds when he started at the club two years ago but is down to a svelte 200 pounds today. He credits the New Waterford club as being a fun place to train.
“I want to go back (to nationals) and win a gold medal next year,” he said. “After that, we’ll see.”
The New Waterford punch palace has been on the go for about three-and-a-half years and is based at the French Club. Rose, who coaches along with fellow instructor Tara White, said they have between 15-20 boxers at the club.
He had nothing but praise for the Ross boys and their performance
in Edmonton.
“(Joshua) never had many fights, and he surprised all of Boxing Canada how well he fought, including his coaches,” said Rose. “(Matt), we knew he had all the talent in the world. We think both of them are going to go places.”
The Ross brothers weren’t the only Cape Breton fighters to pick up hardware at nationals.
Sydney native Natali Fagan, who now lives in Halifax, also took home gold. The Tribal Boxing Club member won by walkover in the 75 kg female elite division when the other boxers in that class didn’t show.
Fagan did get some inring action, jumping up two weight classes to box 81 kg female elite division champ Maria Curran of Ontario in a makeup bout. Curran, who also won gold by walkover, won the bout
by split decision.
“I didn’t go up there for nothing,” said the 28-year-old Fagan who is coached by Wayne Gordon and trained by Bridget Stevens. “I always have fun.”
Fagan also learned that she was named to the national team roster and will travel to Montreal at the end of April for physicals. She shares the same weight class with Tammara Thibeault of Montreal, who’s currently at the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s basically to wait and see what opportunities I’m given, if any,” said Fagan. “I’m always hopeful. It’s always good to be positive, but I don’t have any delusions. I’m in an Olympic weight class, and it’s even more competitive there.”