One Medal Secured at Boxing - More to Come

Today, as Canada looked to upgrade its medals won to gold, three of Canada’s boxers fought on day 9.

First up in the women’s Fly category (51kg) semi-finals today in boxing was Mandy Bujold of Kitchener-Waterloo Ontario. With women's boxing only on the Commonwealth Games program for the first time at these Games, Bujold was one of two Canadian pioneers testing new ground at these Games. Bujold can remember starting the sport and never knowing she would compete at the Commonwealth Games.

“I started boxing as a past time to get in shape. My brother boxed for a little while before I did and I remember him coming home after the gym and I would beg my parents to let me go with him,” said Bujold. “He didn't want to bring his little sister to the gym with him so I had to wait until he quit before I was allowed to start boxing. Once I started, I loved it and it became a big part of my life.”

Mandy Bujold fought Nicola Adams of England in the semi-finals. Bujold, a Pan-American Games Champion boxed the Olympic boxing gold Champion from London 2012 in an afternoon session. Although losing the match, Bujold used the match as experience needed to win her bronze medal.

“It was awesome to get in there and see what the Olympic Champion is like. I now know what it takes to be there,” said Bujold. “It feels good to win a bronze medal. We’re making history and I’m glad to be a part of it.”

Early into the evening session, it was Canadian Ariane Fortin’s turn to fight in her semi-final. Already guaranteed a medal, the two-time World Champion was looking for Commonwealth Games gold. Fortin had the pedigree to be successful.

“Winning my second World Championship was the most memorable moment of my life to date,” says Fortin. “When you win Worlds once it’s already a big accomplishment, but twice in a row really doesn’t leave any doubt in people's minds that this is your spot.”

Coming from an artistic family who play piano and violin, Fortin said a movie was her inspiration to try boxing.

“I had always been into sports, soccer, swimming and volleyball, but no combat sports, until I saw the movie Girlfight with Michelle Rodriguez when I was 16 and it really made me want to try it,” said Fortin. “I had two friends who were boxing at a regional level at the time, so I started going to the gym with them.”

Meeting Lauren Price of Wales in the Middle 69-75kg semi-final, Fortin wearing red looked eager and ready as she entered the ring. It was the second round before some definitive hits seemed to land with a knockout count coming at the end of the second round. In the third and fourth rounds Fortin landed blows and was confident. At the bell it was a split decision, creating tension in the venue, but it was Fortin who had won.  

“You never know for sure until the decision, the crowd is cheering, and you don’t know,” said Fortin “I have studied this opponent, I am so excited to be here, you have to take it fight by fight, to look too far ahead is a rookie mistake, but now it is our turn.”

In the 91kg weight class Samir El Mais (Sweet Sammy) met Efetobor Apochi of Nigeria in the semi-final bout. Having placed 5th at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, El Mais had already bettered that placement at the 2014 Games and was looking to advance to the gold medal fight. 

"I have been here before at the Commonwealth Games and came 5th last time and I was going to put my entire heart into it,” said El Mais.

The Windsor Ontario athlete looked good in the first round going for the easy points, El Mais covered a lot of ground in the ring, making the Nigerian fighter expend energy. After round one, El Mais had won the round. In round two, El Mais made some one, two combinations that landed. In his previous fight, El Mais had received a cut to the eye that had bled throughout the fight, by round three, the cut was not impacted. With is Canadian teammates cheering him on, he reached the third round. Still connecting punches but also staying on the defensive and playing it safe at times. At the bell, El Mais was confident he had won, and when the judges’ decision was delivered, he was right, he was heading to the Gold medal final.

"I believe I can beat any one if I put my mind to it, I just need to work on my game plan, each fighter is different," said Sweet Sammy.

Fortin and El Mais go for Gold tomorrow. The Gold medal finals move to the new Hydro venue with 12,000 seats.