{"id":59095,"date":"2016-03-29T20:56:20","date_gmt":"2016-03-30T01:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=59095"},"modified":"2016-03-29T21:01:11","modified_gmt":"2016-03-30T02:01:11","slug":"a-closer-look-at-hot-prospects-on-the-canadian-boxing-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=59095","title":{"rendered":"A Closer Look at Hot Prospects on the Canadian Boxing Scene"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tony_Custio\"<\/a>By Tony “The Fighting Writer” Luis<\/strong><\/p>\n

There has long been the stereotype that Canadians live in Igloos, hunt for Maple Syrup, and live and breathe hockey. Though one of those points may be true (I\u2019ll let you figure it out), we also happen to produce good boxers! And we didn\u2019t just start recently. Canada has an underrated, rich history in boxing dating back to the days of Yvon Durelle, George Chuvalo, the Summerhays brothers, Gaetan Hart, Donny Lalonde, Shawn O\u2019Sullivan, Willie Dewitt, Trevor Berbick, Razor Ruddock and the fighting Hilton family, to name a few. If you don\u2019t know those names, ask your dad or grandfather, they most surely will. As for more modern day notables, these names should come to mind. Otis Grant, Eric Lucas, Leonard Dorin, Lucian Bute, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson, Kirk Johnson, and David Lemieux. Who am I forgetting? Oh yes\u2026 Arturo Gatti, Lennox Lewis and Tony Luis (come on I have to plug myself, my Publisher \u201cBad\u201d Brad green lighted it)\u2026.But the focus of this article is not on the past or the present, but the future. So who are the Canadians on the rise that have the potential to shape Canada\u2019s future in boxing? Here are a few\u2026<\/p>\n

1) Custio Clayton:<\/strong><\/em> This dynamic welterweight from Nova Scotia was a 6 time Canadian champion and was one of Canada\u2019s brightest lights on the international amateur scene. This 2012 Olympian made history when he became the first Canadian to win a boxing bout on the Olympic stage in 8 years, defeating Oscar Molina in the opening round. He followed that up with a win over Australia\u2019s Cameron Hammond. Despite his late start at 27, in December 2014, in the paid ranks, he has been on fire since. Racking up 7 consecutive victories and 6 knockouts, expect the competition to get stiffer and the streak to continue in the coming year. With his extensive amateur background, physical gifts, and complete skill set, you\u2019ll be hearing this guy\u2019s name in the near future. Just remember you heard it here first.<\/p>\n

2) Steven Butler:<\/strong> <\/em>This JR. Middleweight not only hails from the fighting city of Montreal, Quebec, but even has boxing in his bloodline. His Grandfather, Marshall Butler was a middleweight contender in the 70\u2019s and finished his career with a record of 20-5, 15 KO\u2019s. At the age of 12, grandson decided to follow in the elder Butler\u2019s footsteps and entered his first boxing gym. By 15, his hobby became his obsession and went on to make history by becoming the youngest ever senior Canadian champion at age 18. A year later he decided to trade in his chance at Olympic glory and opted for \u201cpunch for pay\u201d and made his pro debut in March 2014. Since then, he has been carefully brought along and is being groomed for stardom. His last two wins have been against undefeated opposition and in his last fight he snatched the IBF Youth Jr. Middleweight title. With a stellar record of 15-0, 12 KO\u2019s and concussive power in both hands, and at the tender age of 20, this kid has the momentum he needs, and time on his side.<\/p>\n

3) Roody Pierre-Paul:<\/strong><\/em> At first glance, this tenacious southpaw lightweight may not fit the mold of a rising prospect representing the future, at 12-3, 5 KO\u2019s and age 32, but he is the classic example of what can happen to a fighter lacking good management. He slips under the radar. But through his own sheer will and fighting ability, Roody rose to the surface and forced the Canadian boxing scene to take notice in 2014, when he scored two upset wins over domestic rivals Ibrahim Kamal and Baha Laham. In his fight with former amateur standout and highly touted Kamal, Roody took it to the favorite and stunned everyone in attendance, and those watching on Awe TV and Fight Network, with a devastating 4th round TKO. The fight with Laham followed, who was coming off a showcase win on ESPN2, and Roody was again being brought in as the \u201copponent\u201d and sacrificial lamb. He again shook things up with a compelling 12 round decision win. The fight had fans on the edge of their seats. Defeating the gritty and tough Laham also earned him the WBC Continental Americas title. 2016 should be the turn of a new leaf for Roody. With new management, and promotional team, let\u2019s hope he has the people he needs around him, with his best interests at heart. And a chance to show the world what he can do.<\/p>\n

4) Francis Lafreniere:<\/strong><\/em> Once again, another case where numbers will deceive you. At 27, with a modest record of 11-5-2, 6 KO\u2019s, I can already feel the hate mail hitting me in the face. Bring it on. Lafreniere was given a rough start in the pros. Floating in the promoter-less world, he was used and exploited as an \u201copponent\u201d against rising prospects from the start and his true potential wasn\u2019t being realized. Until he made the decision to train with the ultimate sibling duo of Howard and Otis Grant. They managed him and got him the right fights and began cleaning up his game in the gym. What fans got thereafter, was a well schooled, crafty, pressure-fighter with a granite chin, superb conditioning and indomitable will.<\/p>\n

This all came to light this past January, on the Pascal-Kovalev 2 undercard vs comebacking middleweight contender Renan St. Juste. The fight nearly stole the show as Lafreniere withstood the bombs of the powerpunching St. Juste early, and never stopped returning fire, staying in the pocket and digging away, in the type of riveting affair that would\u2019ve made Lafreniere a TV favorite and ESPN2 regular in the good old days.<\/p>\n