BY SCOTT HADDOW
Boxer Amanda Beaulieu wants her title
back.
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Amanda Beaulieu, 21, will fight in
the Canadian National Boxing Championships. |
The third-year Laurentian University student
recently won the gold medal at the Ontario boxing championships
in Sarnia in the 66-kilogram division.
The win earned the puncher a chance to
compete at the Canadian National Senior Boxing
Championships.
Beaulieu, who was the national champ from
2001 to 2003, was out of boxing for most of the last two years
concentrating on her studies but couldn't stay out of the
ring.
Now, with school going well, Beaulieu is
concentrating on winning her crown back.
"I want gold and nothing else," said
Beaulieu. "I don't like going to something just for the
experience. I have worked hard in this sport and I want to be
rewarded."
Standing in the way of the title is Mary
Spencer, who currently holds the national belt.
Although the two haven't clashed before, many
boxing pundits are ecstatic about the two locking horns in
battle.
"They're two of the best female boxers in the
world, and if they meet, it's going to be a great match," said
Beaulieu's coach Randy Hill from the Valley East Fight Club.
"We're going there to win make no mistake about that, but it
will be a tough match."
Spencer had an opportunity to see Beaulieu in
action at provincials, and she put on an awesome display by
outclassing her opponent in the gold medal bout. The fight was
stopped in the second round because Beaulieu had built a
15-point spread and boxing rules dictate a match must be halted
at that point.
Beaulieu expects nothing short of an epic
war.
"I will face the toughest competition I have
ever faced," said the Pickering native. "If I come across the
current champ, it will be tough, but I'm ready for it."
Hill knows full well the challenge will
elevate Beaulieu's game.
"Amanda is a person who will always step up
to a challenge," said Hill. "She needs to be challenged to
succeed. She delivered at provincials and she's ready."
Winning at nationals means more than just
getting her title back for Beaulieu.
"Winning would put me on the Senior National
Team and that would guarantee me some form of international
competition."
What makes Beaulieu a dangerous foe for
anyone is her natural intelligence and ability.
"Amanda's very aware of the scoring system
and she has the ability to capture the eyes of the judges,"
said Hill. "Boxing is just so natural to her. For Amanda to get
in the ring and box is like me going to get a drink of water.
She's an effective boxer and has amazing talent. We're all
proud of her because she has worked really hard for this
opportunity."
The 21-year-old pugilist couldn't be happier
about being back in boxing.
"I missed the competition," said Beaulieu. "I
also missed the discipline that boxing brought into my life for
school. It keeps me focused and makes me a happy person."
The senior nationals take place in St.
Catherines from Jan. 5 to 8, 2006.
Also at the senior nationals will be Ryan
Ranelli, a Sudburian who competes out of Hamilton now and Jamie
Lea Pollock, another Sudburian who competes out of a club in
Alberta.
Rob Bonhomme of the Ontario National Training
Centre and Top Glove Boxing Academy will compete in the junior
nationals at the end of January.
