BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Local boxer Terry Witzu wanted desperately to
win the championship belt at the recent Ringside World Amateur
Boxing Championships.
 |
| name="valign"
top >
Terry Witzu was part of a memorable
bout at the recent Ringside World Amateur Boxing
Championships in Missouri. |
Although he didn't get what he wanted, Witzu
got something even more valuable - a truly rewarding life
experience.
Witzu, 55, competed at the event back in late
August, which was held in Kansas City, Missouri. Witzu fought
in the Master's division in the
heavyweight category. winning a bronze
medal.
Witzu, who represented Sudbury's Fight Club,
poured everything he had in his emotional, mental, physical and
spiritual gas tank into training for the event.
In the process, Witzu changed himself into a
better man, both mentally and physically.
"The event was overwhelming," said Witzu.
"When I walked into the room, I was overtaken by the lights,
space, and intense energy that vibrated throughout."
In Witzu's final bout, he faced a man with
over 70 amateur fights under his belt who had won two National
Golden Glove titles.
Witzu, despite his inexperience compared to
his opponent, fought valiantly.
"We exchanged hard punches for three full
rounds," said Witzu. "I was pleased with my performance. The
referee said it was the best bout he had seen at the Master's
level ever. One judge called it in my favour and the other two
judges gave it to him by two lousy points.
"Winning bronze was disappointing. Fighters
like to fight, and when they fight, they try to win. Anything
less is unacceptable."
Witzu got a few souvenirs from the fight that
lasted for days afterwards.
"The next day (after the fight) we both had
blackened eyes, sore noses and bruised jaws," said Witzu. "Next
time, I will train harder and have just a little extra gas to
finish it the way I had wanted."
Witzu learned a lot about himself and that
dedication has its rewards.
"I learned that like everything else, hard
work pays off," said Witzu. "I won the fight in my mind, but
not in the ring. I learned to be a dedicated athlete and to
trust the two coaches (Fight Club head coach Randy Hill and
assistant coach Mike Stewart) who gave me their all."
Hill saw a man bent on achieving ultimate
success.
"Terry performed well beyond expectations,"
said Hill. "He took the guy to town and basically shut him
down. They won the crowd over with their fight. It was called
the best bout of the Master's heavyweight division."
In other boxing news, the Fight Club is
preparing to host another night of boxing action.
The card will take place at the Steelworker's
Hall on Friday, Sept. 23.
The card will feature a North versus South
theme, and have boxers from down south facing boxers from
Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie and Valley East.
Tickets for the card are on sale at Fight
Club, located on Durham Street or at the Steelworkers Hall.
Tickets are $12.
