Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Sabrina Byrnes
Lightweight amateur boxer Justin Ceskauskas of Sudbury will aid IBF Featherweight Champion Steve "The Canadian Kid" Molitor, prepare for his bout against the WBA Champion Panama's Celestino "Pelenchin" Caballero at Casino Rama November 21.
"This will be the first time and probably the last time that this will ever happen in Canada," said Gord Apolloni, head coach at Top Glove Boxing Academy where Ceskauskas trains.
He noted that an event of this caliber, where two titles would be on the line, would usually take place in a venue like Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
"Justin's going to be part of history, because he's going to help prepare Steve Molitor for his opponent who's 5-11 and 130 lbs. So he's going to be the key to Steve Molitor's success," said Apolloni.
Ceskauskas left for Montreal this past Sunday to spend the week sparring with The Canadian Kid.
"I was pretty shocked," said the Sudbury boxer when he was informed of the opportunity.
"It was pretty random. He (Apolloni) just walked into the gym one day and was like 'guess who needs a sparring partner?'" Ceskaukas said, adding that he laughed when his coach brought it up, assuming that he was joking around with him.
Apolloni was informed that Molitor was looking for a sparring partner of a certain weight and size when he was in Montreal recently. Apolloni thought Ceskaukas would be a good fit.
The Sudbury pugilist will stay in an apartment with professional and world champion boxers during his stay in Montreal.
Ceskauskas said he was a little anxious and nervous before going down to Montreal because Molitor is a professional boxer.
"It's going to be good to get a perspective on the pro game. It's quite different for amateur boxing. It's going to be a good experience overall," he said. He also noted that he was excited to live with the professional boxers for the week to gain some of their insight into the sport.
Apolloni believes that this will be a great experience for his boxer.
"You become a product of your environment, so when you're training with champions...guess what's going to happen?" the head coach said.
Ceskauskas has already purchased his tickets for the bout at Casino Rama, where he will witness his part of the historic boxing event in Canada.
