SCOTT HADDOW
Justin Bonhomme never took sports seriously
prior to picking up boxing.
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Lanky Justin Bonhomme is competing
in the 2006 Canadian National Championships from Jan.
27-29 in Quebec. |
Two years ago, the lanky
six-foot-five-and-a-half youngster took up the sweet science
and found something that changed his life, for the
better.
Back in December, Bonhomme participated at
the Ontario provincial boxing championships, winning gold in
the 75-kilogram junior division.
The victory stamped his ticket to the 2006
Canadian National Championships, which take place Jan. 27 to 29
in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec.
"I started following the sport and after a
year of being a fan, I decided to give it a shot," said
Bonhomme. "Before boxing, I never took sports seriously. I
never had any serious aspirations. I had no drive to get better
in any sport.
Now, I have found something I am passionate
about and makes me want to be better. Going to the nationals
feels pretty good."
Bonhomme has plenty of courage heading into
the nationals, as he found his form at provincials. He feels he
can win the gold medal in his weight class, which is
middleweight.
"I want to win," said the towering fighter.
"I know I can. It's just a matter if I can perform at my best.
I showed a little of what I can do at provincials and I won
gold. If I perform to my max, I am confident in my abilities to
win nationals. I will stay focused on training hard,
maintaining my weight and being mentally prepared."
Bonhomme, who trains out of the Ontario
National Training Centre under the careful tutelage of Gord
Apolloni, has all the tools to be a great boxer.
"We've been developing Justin as a typical
Eastern European/Cuban boxer," said Apolloni. "Boxers from
those regions are tall and have long arms and keep opponents at
the end of punches. Justin does the same. When he hits someone,
it hurts. Justin's movement is good, but without heart it's all
garbage, and he has a lot of heart and will to win. Heart and
will are two of Justin's biggest assets."
Apolloni backs up Bonhomme's predication of
earning gold.
"If he's on his game...He could come out with
the gold medal," said the legendary coach.
Winning provincials was the best medicine for
Bonhomme.
"Winning there was a huge confidence
booster," said the 18-year-old. "I am showing that I can be a
good athlete. I never outshone anyone before in sports, but now
I am."
Bonhomme will work on being the pace-setter
for his upcoming bouts.
"Most of the times in my bouts, I have a hard
time being aggressive," said the slugger. "I am working on
being aggressive and assertive from the start of each round to
the end of each round."
As punishing as the sport can be, Bonhomme
loves every second he puts into boxing.
"I really enjoy the sport and I like being
able to say I have done well at something."
Apolloni sees Bonhomme being successful at
anything in life.
"If he continues on with his daily routine,
Justin will succeed in whatever he attempts to do."
