FIBC trip to Calgary includes a repeat national champ

Curtis Realba of the Fighting Island Boxing Club (left) won his second national title recently in Calgary. Teammate Dawson Woltz-Raby (right) also fought at the nationals.

Two fighters from Amherstburg’s Fighting Island Boxing Show headed to Calgary in mid-March and one of them repeated as a national champion.

Curtis Realba is now a two-time national champion and said the trip to Calgary was a good experience overall.

“I won both my fights by unanimous decision,” said Realba.

The 15-year-old Realba won in the 50kg U17 category. He said he was nervous heading into the nationals but was ready. He said he has been training for the national competition for the last few months.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” he said.

Realba had to adapt to his opponents in both of his fights as there were differences between the two. He was thrilled to win gold by beating both opponents.

“I was so happy and excited,” said Realba. “All of my hard work paid off. Everyone is very proud. It’s good. I feel very thankful for all of their support.”

Coaches, family and friends were thanked by Realba for his second straight national championship.

Realba works out four nights per week at the Fighting Island Boxing Club (FIBC) and plans to build on his successes, including running and improving his cardio. There is no major fights in his immediate future, but he plans to be at the top of his game for when the next boxing match comes up.

“Whatever comes up, I’ll be ready,” said Realba.

Dawson Woltz-Raby also represented the FIBC at the nationals but while he didn’t win his fight, he is thankful for the experience. He fought shortly after they arrived in Calgary while Realba had a couple of days to prepare.

“I did all I could do. It was a great experience,” said Woltz-Raby. 

It was the first nationals for Woltz-Raby, who worked on his balance and pushing the pace. Further work will include working on his cardio in preparations for next year.

Woltz-Raby, 17, competed in the 75kg U19 category. The fighter who went on to win gold was the same fighter Woltz-Raby beat at the Brampton Cup.

“I was training three to four months for that,” he said.

Training happens four times per week and Woltz-Raby also wrestles and runs track at school. He thanks his coaches for taking the time to coach them and accompany them to Alberta.

Curtis Antonucci, one of the two coaches that was with the FIBC group, said both Realba and Woltz-Raby are among the youngest in their age categories. Joe LeBlanc, owner and coach with FIBC, said they knew the competition would be tough and they are proud of both fighters.

Realba could be picked for an upcoming world competition, he added.

“Being a two-time national champion opens up the doors for international competitions,” he said. 

LeBlanc added “it’s good for the town” to have a national champion and two fighters to go to the competition.

“It speaks volumes for the young athletes in this community,” he said, noting other clubs have thousands more youth to draw from.

FIBC trip to Calgary includes a repeat national champ

By Ron Giofu