Quebec Cup — Taking It to the Next Level

My first out-of-province competition. Time to raise the stakes.

I’d heard the stories: Quebec boxers are a different breed. They’re aggressive, strong, and not to be taken lightly. Watching the youth nationals beforehand only confirmed it. Some provinces excel at developing elite fighters, and Quebec is undoubtedly one of them.

Going into this tournament, I prepared for relentless intensity, heavy shots, and the possibility of being outclassed. Despite my previous success, I still viewed myself as the underdog. While I didn’t take any shots that truly hurt me, I learned valuable lessons like biting down on my mouthguard so I don’t mess up my jaw.

More importantly, this tournament marked a shift. For the first time, I was able to slow the fight down mentally while in the ring. Treating it like a sparring session allowed me to relax, have fun, and truly showcase my ability to adapt to whoever stood in front of me.

Winning gold brought new attention to me as a fighter who was still just starting out and beating opponents with years of experience. What’s the secret behind that success? I might tell you when I figure it out… but even then, some secrets are meant to be kept and this might be one of them.