Top Glove Boxing Academy continues to add to their trophy case, regardless of where their gym is located.
A quartet of Top Glove boxers were in Toronto last weekend for a Bronze Gloves tournament and came home with four medals - three golds and one bronze.
Two of Top Glove's youngest pugilists won gold in Toronto, as nine-year-olds Cedrik Martin and Jackson Savoie both took top spot in their respective divisions. Patrick Martin, 15, back from his trip to nationals in April, claimed bronze in his division, while 26-year-old Youssef Elbouachraoui took gold.
"Bronze Gloves is really a developmental tournament," said Top Glove owner Gordon Apolloni. "You're boxing against guys at your own skill level, so for all of our guys to get a medal we're really happy about that."
The club is in a bit of a transitional, or rebuilding phase according to Apolloni, as they settle into their new home on Lorne Street, their third gym location in the last five years. Answering a phone call from Sudbury.com on Thursday, Apolloni laughs, "I'm in the middle of painting right now".
With the move to the Lorne Street location earlier this year, Apolloni says that he lost a few of his veteran boxers, but thanks to some great community support, Top Glove is flourishing in its rebuild.
"Conrad Houle donated a truck to us so we're not having to rent a van to get to tournaments down south," said Apolloni. "We've been so fortunate with our fundraising but we still have to pull strings everywhere to make things happen."
There are challenges associated with being a Northern Ontario boxing club, as finding competition for fighters often involves hours on the road, hotel stays, food, all of which come at a cost.
"It's tough for us to host events up here because there's always events in Toronto, so getting guys to come up here is challenging," said Apolloni. "We have to cover hotel, gas, meal for them otherwise why would they come up here when there's competition down there at a much lower cost."
In spite of those challenges, Apolloni remains dedicated to the growth of his students and wants to see them in the ring getting experience as often as possible.
"We're in a rebuilding stage right now and the development of these guys is very important," he siad. "The more we can get them in the ring the quicker they'll develop."
Top Glove will host their next fight night in conjunction with a celebration of their new gym location on Sept. 21.
You can stay up to date with the club on their Facebook page.
