BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
It may not have been a golden performance, but the boys from the Ontario National Training Centre (ONTC) showed they are made of championship material by hoisting three medals at the recent Provincial Boxing Championships in Windsor.
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"I thought for sure we would pull off a gold somewhere, but it didn't happen," said ONTC head coach Gord Apolloni. "There was more to contend with then we thought and I am pleased with their performances."
Ryan Rannelli, 18, took home a silver medal in the 54 kilogram, bantam division.
After winning his first match, Rannelli squared off against the same opponent, a former Canadian National Champion, he faced last year in the provincial semi final. Rannelli lost that match and took home a bronze.
This year he was determined to win the gold.
"I lost on points in four rounds," said Rannelli. "I could have fought better, but I did my best. Maybe on a different day I could have fought better and won."
Unfortunately with the silver medal, Rannelli isn't allowed to compete in the National Boxing Championships. Only gold medal winners are allowed.
Rannelli took a lot of positives from the bout.
"It's more ring experience," said Rannelli. "Even a loss is better than not competing at all. I can't learn anything from just staying in the gym.
Apolloni thought Rannelli fought a good fight.
"He was ready physically, but he was sick going into the fight," said Apolloni. "He did great."
Eric Perrier, 20, walked away from the championships with a bronze medal in the 75 kilogram, middleweight division. Perrier lost in the semi finals to an opponent his knows all to well.
"I lost to a guy named Pawel Zepp," said Perrier. "He was the first person I ever had a fight with in my career."
Perrier believed he could also capture gold.
"It was a big match for me," said Perrier. "I am satisfied to a certain extent about the result, but obviously I was disappointed. Looking back, I made the semi final and now I have more ring knowledge. it's all part of my apprenticeship"
Perrier knows where he stands.
"Over the years I have fought some of the top ranked boxers in Ontario and Canada," said Perrier. "I have done al right, so I know I rank up with them. This wasn't my year, perhaps next year will be mine."
Apolloni was thrilled with Perrier's showing.
"It was a classic match," said Apolloni.
"Eric lost to the eventually champion. He has nothing to be ashamed of at all."
Kyle Gauthier, 20, completed the trio of medals by grabbing a silver in the super heavy weight division.
"I left it all out there in the ring," said Gauthier. "I am happy I performed well. I am more content with my actual boxing than the medal. I fought technically, the way my coach wanted me to fight."
Apolloni thought Gauthier fought the good fight.
"Kyle went out there and fought with a lot of heart and emotion," said Apolloni.
"It was another good fight."
Apolloni is licking his chops about the prospects of next year.
"I am definitely looking forward to next year with these three boxers," said Apolloni. "Each and every year they have all gotten better, so look out."
