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N.S. boxers set for huge medal haul
New Waterford's Bernard Rankin in the 67-kilo class, Glace Bay's Troy O'Donnell in the 48-kilo class, and Colin Murray of Scotsburn in the 57-kilo class, all won bronze on Thursday after losing their semifinal bouts.
Trenton's Tommy Worthen (81 kilos), Glace Bay's Kyle Clarke (63 kilos) and Sackville's Jason Brown (51 kilos) will fight for gold today. All won semifinal fights to advance to the championship round.
On Thursday, Worthen defeated Hayk Orguneser of Quebec 8-1 and Clarke advanced after his fight against hometown favourite Chris Hayes was stopped in the third round. Brown won his semifinal Wednesday.
Worthen, 16, who won gold at the 1997 nationals, didn't think he boxed to his potential Thursday.
"I did enough to win. It was more boxing than fighting - stick and move."
The Grade 11 student at Trenton High School followed his father Jim, a boxing coach, to the ring seven years ago and stuck with it because of what he describes as "the thrill and the excitement."
Clarke, 17, also a gold medallist at nationals, said his experience helped him block out the pro-Hayes crowd.
"I just worked the body in the early rounds and then worked my way up to his head."
Rankin, 17, lost a close decision to Jean Pascal of Quebec.
"It was a really good fight. The two of us were cautious of each other. At the end of the first round it was 1-0 for him, then 2-1 after the second then 2-2 and it ended up 3-2 for him, though I thought it would be a tie," said the six-foot-two Rankin.
O'Donnell lost 5-0 to Francisco Moreno of Alberta and Murray lost 7-0 to three-time Canadian champion Donnie Hunt of Newfoundland.