Fighters from Sudbury’s Top Glove Boxing Academy showed just how tough they are when they travelled to the 41st annual Brampton Cup tournament on Feb. 1-4.
Billed as Canada’s largest and longest-running amateur Olympic-style boxing tournament, the Brampton Cup drew more than 450 pugilists. Top Glove coaches Gord Apolloni and Johnny Dempster travelled with fighters Jadyn Lewis, Darryl Savoie, Josh Guignard, Riley Davidson and Gavin MacIsaac to the event. Two other fighters, Brian Derro and Shon Vivier, also fought wearing Top Glove colours at the event.
“With three rings running simultaneously, there was no shortage of boxing action,” Top Glove told Sudbury.com.
Lewis and Davidson didn’t prevail but “both learned a great deal and met the challenge head on,” Savoie fought in two make-up bouts, winning one and dropping the other.
Lewis bounced back in his next bout, stopping his opponent in the third round. Moving on to the finals, he would lose a tough split decision, and brought home a silver medal.
MacIsaac travelled to Brampton fresh off his October, 2023 contest to become Ontario’s Novice C Junior Provincial champion.
“With his first fight of the tournament on Friday, Gavin fought hard and stopped his opponent for the win,” the boxing club said. “This win sent Gavin to the gold medal round against a familiar opponent, a rival we have fought before but never beaten. Gavin gave it his all and put on an awesome display but when the final bell rang his opponent would walk away with the gold by unanimous decision.
Derro fought hard but couldn’t overcome a challenger who travelled from England for the tournament. With a win on Saturday in his first bout ever, Vivier found himself fighting in the gold medal match on Sunday, which he also won and brought home a gold medal.
“Top Glove congratulates all its fighters for their efforts and successes at the 41st annual Brampton Cup,” Top Glove said. “A big thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers and athletes.”
Top Glove Boxing Academy offers classes for beginners, young people and adults, and offers the Rock Steady boxing program for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Learn more by calling them at (705) 805-2699 or on their website, TopGlove.ca.
