Robby Fassbender of the Beaver Boxing Club definitely has boxing in his blood. His grandfather, Fred, was an amateur in his native Germany and later his uncle, Wally, was also an amateur at the Beaver Boxing Club. Robby, however, admits that he wasn’t interested in boxing as a child, choosing instead to play soccer, but at age 12 he began thinking more and more about the sweet science and finally realized he couldn’t escape his true calling. “I began training in my grandfather’s basement,” he explains. “All I had was a heavy bag and a mirror – it wasn’t much but it was good enough for starters.” Things stayed that way for a couple of years until Robby, then 14, decided to take the next step and join a boxing club. “Beaver was the logical place for me to join,” says Robby. “It was my uncle’s old club and it felt like home.”

Two years later, at age 16, Fassbender has just started competing as a bantamweight (54 kg) and sports a fledgling record of 2 fights and 2 wins. A little short for his weight class Fassbender is an inside fighter who relies on great conditioning, strong work ethic and good technical skills. “I have to work my way in against taller opponents,” he explains. “And then I have a good chance to land a clean shot.” Fassbender’s favourite punch is his left hook to the body and he feels it will become a potent weapon for him in the future. “I like to either slip punches and counter to the body or drive my opponent back with straight punches and then look for an opening to the rib cage.” Relying on good lateral head movement Fassbender has the ability to make opponents miss and does some of his best work inside and underneath.

His approach is both effective and interesting as this young man seems to have combined the best elements of both amateur and professional styles – he has good spring in his legs and can therefore execute the classic in-and-out style of elite amateur boxers but also has the upper body movement seen in many top-drawer professional fighters. Head coach Joey Sandulo is quite impressed with this young pugilist and feels that the kid shows a lot of promise. “Robby’s developed well over the last couple of years, follows instruction and shows an ability to learn.” Sandulo is also impressed with Fassbender’s willingness to mix it up in the ring. “The kid will stick his nose in there and shows no sign of fear.” Outside of the ring Sandulo feels that Fassbender is a good natured young man who respects his peers, his family and his coaches. “He’s a good kid from a good home,” explains Sandulo. “I have no real criticism except his diet – he eats too much junk food and I’m concerned about weight and conditioning problems in the future. You see,” adds Sandulo, “This is a kid who relies on a high punch output, lots of hard work and consistent pressure in order to win. He simply has to be in great shape to be successful, and a lean and healthy diet will become even more important as he develops and grows.”

When asked how boxing has changed his life, Fassbender is candid. “It’s mostly about control and confidence,” he explains. “Before I started boxing I used to lose my cool a lot easier – get into fights, and stuff. But boxing has taught me self-control and I just don’t feel that I have anything left to prove by street fighting, and besides,” he adds, “I don’t want to hurt my hands.” Wise words from a young man who admits he has already broken a couple of knuckles from bare fisted altercations in the past and feels it’s just not worth it anymore.

Fassbender’s boxing idols include ring warriors like Lennox Lewis and Fernando Vargas. Lewis because of his clean fighting style and his excellent jab and Vargas because of his tenacity and tremendous heart. “I also feel like I’ve adopted elements of Fernando’s fighting style,” adds Fassbender. “Lots of punches and constant pressure.”

Short Term Goals

Junior Provincials in St Catherine’s, Ontario, in October/03. Fassbender plans to fight in the 54 kg Bantamweight class and admits he is definitely going for gold. “He has an excellent chance to win the tournament,” explains Sandulo. “As long as he stays focused and trains hard.”

Long Term Goals

To take his amateur career as far as he can and maybe turn pro some day … but that’s another story.