Cross-border rivals ready for Classic bout
Goff event pits Canada vs. U.S.
Relations between Canada and the United States were downright neighbourly as they prepared for the Ken Goff Memorial Boxing Classic.
Despite the mutual respect between the teams, the tone is expected to change when they start trading punches tonight at the Credit Union Event Plex.
“There’s always going to be a rivalry,” offered Raquel Miller of San Francisco, a 2012 Olympic alternate. “Canada has a very strong women’s team. They were the best women’s team a couple years back. Canada is definitely not to be overlooked. They come to win so I’m definitely not taking them lightly.”
The Americans are participating in the Ken Goff Classic for the first time since 2007, when they won five of seven bouts. They also won the rematch two days later with a 4-3 record in the Mayor’s Cup, now known as the Brandt Cup.
“It was very competitive,” recalled Team U.S.A. coach Andy Smith. “In terms of boxing, (the Canadians) are very respected. We’re just excited about the opportunity to come up here and compete with them. It’s also good because of the relationship between Canada and the United States. They’re just so welcoming (at the Ken Goff event). Building those relationships is the cool part about it.”
The U.S. is recognized as a true heavyweight in the boxing world. Canada has a smaller team which historically isn’t in the same class, but there’s optimism that the program is on the upswing.
The building process continues tonight at the Ken Goff Classic, which will serve as a tune-up for the upcoming Pan American Games in Toronto.
“Last year we fought Wales when we came here because we were getting ready for Commonwealth Games and that was giving us a good benchmark on where we were standing compared to one of the top teams,” explained Boxing Canada high-performance director Daniel Trepanier, who’s serving as the team’s head coach in Regina.
“We’re doing the same this year with the U.S. Some of their athletes will be either at the Pan Am qualifier or already qualified for the Pan Ams. That will give us a good indication of where we stand for the Pan Am Games.”
Canada brought four boxers to Regina who have already qualified for the Pan Am Games: Sasan Haghighat-Joo (69 kilograms), Ariane Fortin (women’s 75 kg), Clovis Drolet (75 kg) and Samir El-Mais (91 kg). Caroline Veyre (60 kg) is slated to compete in a Pan Am qualifier June 2-9 in Tijuana, Mexico.
“We have new faces,” said Trepanier. “You’ll see some who were here last year. We lost one of our top athletes to the pro ranks, Custio Clayton. We have a pretty young and new team, but with a lot of potential.”
The U.S. counters with a young squad of its own, led by the likes of Miller and Anthony Campbell.
“I heard (the Canadians) are very good competition, so I’m ready to see what they have,” said Campbell, a middleweight from Memphis who’s slated to compete in the Pan Ams. “I know I’m going to bring mine, so I hope they bring theirs. We don’t underestimate nobody. They’re here for a reason and we’re here for a reason. We’ve gotta do what we do best, win.”
The border battle is somewhat rare because Canada and the U.S. don’t see much of each other outside of major international events.
However, the Americans are preparing for tonight’s clash with the knowledge that there’s a target on their backs.
“The biggest thing for us is just making sure our guys are wanting to compete as bad as they want to compete,” added Smith. “This whole team that’s here, both male and female, they’re all excited to be here and they’re here to win. The competitive part is there. But I wouldn’t compare it to something like (the rivalry in) hockey.
“I don’t think it really matters who’s standing across from them on the other side of the ring,” said Smith. “They just know when it’s bell time that they’re ready to go.”
“I HEARD (THE CANADIANS) ARE VERY GOOD COMPETITION, SO I’M READY TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE. I KNOW I’M GOING TO BRING MINE, SO I HOPE THEY BRING THEIRS. WE DON’T UNDERESTIMATE NOBODY.” ANTHONY CAMPBELL