Canada Cup Calgary boxing nationals got underway Wednesday, and continue through Sunday this week, with local boxers Mike White and Xander Williams representing Bluewater Boxing Club in the Youth and Junior categories.
White is competing in the youth category, in the 71 kilo weight class, while Williams is in the Junior 60 kilo weight class.
In order to go all the way, both White and Williams would need to win four bouts each — something club president Tom Hennessey feels is a good thing, as both the 71 kilo class and 60 kilo class have nine fighters each.
“I think boxing is on the rise,” Hennessey told the Journal. “I think people have had enough of some of the more brutal sports.”
“In our sport it’s all about families wanting their kids involved,” Hennessey continued, noting that both White and Williams come from boxing families with some pedigree.
White is the son of Frank “The Hammer” White, a three-time Canadian Boxing champion, and is looking to continue that family tradition by capturing a national title in Calgary. White has a career record of 8-3 heading into nationals.
Williams is a third generation boxer from Walpole Island; his Grandfather Darryl Williams boxed and later became a coach at Chatham’s Kayo Boxing club, while mother Cassandra William’s was a two-time provincial champion and a national champion as well.
Williams looks to duplicate the accomplishments of his mother, and comes into nationals with a 9-1 record. Interestingly, Williams is a southpaw fighter — he uses an orthodox stance, using his dominant hand to jab.
“Xander has only been in the sport for eight-and-a half-months” says Hennessey. “I just felt he had some natural ability, so I certainly moved him along quickly, got his 10 bouts in and I just felt this kid deserved a shot.”
Both fighters face a long week if they want a national title, but Hennessey says that at the end of the day, just being there is an accomplishment.
“Win, lose or draw, it’s not the most important thing. It’s the competition, the learning and seeing what’s there.”
Hennessey says he is pleased with the increase in interest in the sport as well, noting that since the pandemic, his club has noticed a large increase in members. Hennessey believes parents looking for safer alternatives to MMA may be a reason, but the coach of 44 years also says his record speaks for itself.
“I get asked what my claim to fame is,” Hennessey told the Journal. “It’s that in 44 years I have never had a kid get knocked out.”
Hennessey says he takes the safety of his boxers seriously, and is not afraid to toss in the towel or tell a fighter at the end of a round that they tried, but it’s time to call it.
Both fighters look to put on a good showing for Boxing Canada in the hopes of competing in an international stage — Mike White certainly hoping to make the World Under 19. For now though, the focus is in Calgary, on a national championship.
Time will tell if Bluewater Boxing Club can add a national title or two to their resume, the Canada Cup continues through Sunday.