CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A trio of local boxers are heading to Ontario to compete in an invitational-only competition.
Jackson Chevarie, Matt Doyle and Ahmed Khalid from the Koed Boxing Academy in Charlottetown will take part in the Brampton Cup. The competition, which runs from Friday to Sunday, has attracted 529 competitors from nine years old to masters athletes in their 60s.
“This is the biggest Olympic-style competition in Canada,” head coach Howard Watts said prior to a recent training session. “This here is like a stepping stone for a lot of people to gain international experience.”
There will be boxers from a number of countries, including Jamaica and Nigeria.
Watts said his three athletes are exciting boxers who work hard and are dedicated.
“They’re here waiting for the club to open,” he said.
Assistant coach John Chaisson is also attending the competition.
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Carrying on the family tradition
Matt Doyle came to boxing naturally.
His father, Steven Watts, is a three-time Canadian champion and his grandfather, Howard Watts, is the longtime coach at the Koed Boxing Academy in Charlottetown.
“What I enjoy the most is seeing my grandfather in the corner smiling all the time,” Doyle said.
The 18-year-old Charlottetown native has been boxing for more than six years and has amassed an 18-3 record.
Doyle’s uncle, Darren Watts, was also a boxer.
“It makes you pretty proud,” Howard Watts said. “It kind of carries on the legacy ... I didn't know if he’d be interested, but he was.”
Doyle has attended nationals twice, winning bronze in 2016 and silver in 2017.
“It’s going to be a gold one here soon,” he said.
Doyle is looking forward to this week’s competition in Brampton, Ont.
“It’s going to be intense, competitive boxing,” Doyle said. “It actually feels amazing to know that we’re actually going.”
Watts called Doyle strong and determined and noted he has previously defeated the Canadian champ.
Doyle will be competing in the 49-52 kilogram elite open division, meaning he could be facing an opponent much older than himself.
“I will always go in there and try my best, even if I know the guy is taller or powerful. I don't care,” he said.
Chevarie enjoying success early in career
Jackson Chevarie quickly fell in love with boxing.
The 21-year-old Magdalen Islands native came to Charlottetown a year ago to take the sport and leisure management program, specializing in kinesiology, at Holland College.
“I stumbled across this place and I really enjoyed it, so I am competing now,” Chevarie said near the ring at the Koed Boxing Academy in Charlottetown. “One of my friends told me that there was a boxing club and I had never really done any boxing, so I was curious.”
Head coach Howard Watts said Chevarie has fit right in since joining the academy.
“Jackson is very aggressive and very strong,” he said. “He’s very dedicated. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, he’ll run.”
Chevarie found the training sessions fun and sparred early with Colton Perry.
“That opened my eyes to how good I could get. It gave me a goal to strive towards. Ever since then I never looked back,” Chevarie said.
He is looking forward to this week’s Brampton Cup in Ontario where he will compete in the novice 64-69-kilogram weight class.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” he said.
Chevarie has won all five of his matches and knows there will be some good competition at the international event.
“I would have to be crazy if I wasn't nervous, but I know what I am capable of and I know what I have to do to win,” he said.
His favourite match so far was winning the Maritime novice championship in his third bout.
“I can’t let it get to my head,” he said. “If I (am) complacent and happy with what I’ve achieved thus far I won’t continue going further. I would like to keep pushing forward and see how far I can make it in the sport.”
Khalid ready for first tournament
Ahmed Khalid has been training for months for this week’s competition in Ontario.
The 16-year-old Charlottetown resident will be participating in his first boxing tournament of his career, the Brampton Cup.
“Boxing is a sport where you can’t really take a break,” he said. “It keeps you on your toes … You’re constantly pushing yourself to the limit. It’s a lot of sparring and a lot of hard work.”
Khalid, who moved to Prince Edward Island with his family from Pakistan in 2012, said boxing was his first combat sport.
“I just recently found out this club existed (about) a year ago. I just decided to join,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
He’s gone 4-1 in his career fights.
“He’s a perfect 120-pounder,” head coach Howard Watts said. “He’s very quick and has a lot of heart.”
Khalid, a Grade 11 student at Colonel Gray High School, will compete in the novice 52-56-kilogram weight class.
Khalid is looking to gain experience from this week’s event and hopes to attend nationals in the future. While he hasn’t set specific goals for the event, he wants to do his best.
“I would love to win,” he said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work. We’ll see how it goes.”
