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OLYMPIC DREAMERS
by Sherry Boone

The OBA is not filled with dreamers & fools. We look at the last Olympics where Canada sent one qualifying boxer from the entire country, & that fella was about 30 years old. He lost his first bout by being out-pointed & didn't Canada know the dress code? I guess the world thinks that is the best Canada can do. Well that might be their best but it isn't OBA's best.

The money that the government paid to send one boxer & probably 3 other adults is an insult to the tax payers that forked out the money. If there wasn't so much 'politics' (dirty word for not playing fair) in boxing, the results could be much better. Too many favors & too many unfair decisions & that starts with draws being done behind closed doors which is not legal according to Boxing Canada. Many believe that the matches are pre-made & not following the rules of a draw. Thus the saying 'luck of the draw' or who is arranging it..

Let's look at prior years.

1984 Canada sent 10 boxers & 3 won medals of which Ontario's Shawn O'Sullivan won the Silver Medal.
1988 Canada sent 10 boxers & 3 won medals - Ontario's Egerton Marcus won the Silver & Ontario's Lennox Lewis won the Gold.
1992 Canada sent 10 boxers & 2 won medals, Ontario's Mark Leduc won the Silver & Ontario's Chris Johnson won the Bronze.
1996 Canada sent 11 boxers and 1 boxer not from Ontario won a medal.
2002 Canada sent 7 boxers & none won any medals.

It seems Ontario went down hill from then. What changed? The administration - yes! The coaches - some, yes. The draws for competitions - yes! In Ontario a draw does not exist ah...contrary to the Canadian rule book. The 'draw' is suppose to be done publicly & in a manner that allows all boxers equal chance to box any other competitor in their division. The OBA allows a public draw & follows the draw rules contrary to Boxing Ontario. BUT then again, we are quite different from them & proudly so.
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The 1980 Olympic boycott had 4 Canadian boxers qualified for the Olympics & they were Ontario's Steve Nolan, Ontario's Ian Clyde, Ontario's Pat Fennell & Rick Anderson from ?

From 1924 to 2000 (which is a total of 76 years), Canada sent 123 boxers to the Olympics. During that time, boxers like Ontario's Troy Ross went twice as did, Ontario's Domenic Filane, Ontario's John Walter Henry 1964 & 1968 (who I was proud to meet at the Sept. fights at Rama)Ontario's Lennox Lewis & Ontario's 3 time Olympian Mike Strange.

What are the chances for a good boxer to be one of the 123 in 76 years. Slim - you need to be an excellent technically skilled boxer with great defence. You need to have good foot work, strength, endurance, stamina, dedication, will & above all else, you need competent coaches that are willing to give up much of their life to develope you & then you need to be loyal. That is a lot to have in one person & Ontario is proud of those that made the grade. You need to have international exposure & the support of your provincial organization to help promote you & that can be a downfall for an up-coming boxer.

Now, some of the current boxers should review all of the requirements other than wanting the glitter. All that glitters is not gold.

So, what is the average boxers chance of going to the Olympics? "Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.. Mohammed Ali'

I'll take Ali's quote one step further. To achieve status, the boxer must excel in all the boxing strength - have great reflexes, a good chin, be able to maneuver, have a good defense & a great offense & a one mind path with tunnel vision & dedication with the support of your family in order to finance your training. Then with luck...maybe you will get an impartial panel of officials that have no vested interest in your opponent & then maybe, if they like you, they will allow you to win. This is in most cases a fools' trip. There are too many home club boxers being promoted over boxers from independent gyms & sad because tax payers are forking over the money & it is not directed at advancing equally all boxers.

As a Canadian boxer you must be rated in the top 10 of the world in boxing & taken several expensive yet successful trips to other countries aka International competition & beat their top boxer...that is of course, if you were lucky enough to get past the political decisions & win at the Canadians & be outstanding.

To be in that elite group is a dream. Everyone has dreams but plant your feet on the ground. There are few & far between that will make the grade. I am very sorry for the guys & gals that think the Olympics is within their reach when those in the know, KNOW. . You must be absolutely outstanding & be able to soundly dominate in your division.

The gals are going to be allowed in the 2012 Olympics. Nice. Questions are: What weight categories? How many from each country? What is the prerequisites? What is the cost per boxer? How is the selection made? Are the rules for engagement the same as what is in the Boxing Canada rule book? There are many questions that need answers. .

You have a window of a few years to make your mark & normally the mark is made by the time you are 17 - 18 years of age but somewhat later for females. If you are going to be 34 years old by the first Olympic date, you are NOT allowed to enter.

If you haven't soundly & decisively beat everyone in your association, in your category, then just box & enjoy yourself. If you want to go pro, the OBA has lots of pro clubs to help you out. The OBA is your place to be for fair decisions & a good time at the sport you chose.

OBA doesn't waste time with false dreams...we tell you how it is & don't fill your head with fantasies.