The Border City Boxing Club’s “Sweet” Sammy El-Mais travelled recently to Salina, Puerto Rico with the rest of the Canadian Boxing Team for a one-week training camp. Following the camp, El-Mais travelled to Santiago, Dominican Republic to compete at the 15-country Independence Cup. El-Mais, the four-time reigning Canadian Heavyweight Champion was hoping to improve upon his Bronze-Medal performance at the 2012 Olympic qualifiers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
El-Mais narrowly missed an Olympic berth, dropping a three-point decision to Yamil Peralta who advanced to London last summer and is currently ranked in the World’s top ten. El-Mais was determined not to let another international competition slip away from him.
On February 17, the Canadian team descended upon Santiago, for the Independence Cup. In a preliminary bout, El-Mais faced Chilean Champion, Miguel Beliz and defeated him by a score of 23-13.
Advancing to the medal rounds, El-Mais met hometown favourite, Manuel de Jesus Marinez. The Dominican Republic Champion had no answer to El-Mais’ superior hand-speed and wound up with the Silver Medal, dropping an 11-17 decision to El-Mais.
On February 22, in the Final, El-Mais faced the Brazilian Champion, Juan Nogueira. The crafty southpaw took an early lead against El-Mais; however, El-Mais’ Olympic-Qualifier experience proved the difference, as the Canadian pulled out a 12-11 decision to claim the Gold Medal.
For more information, please contact Border City Boxing Club Head Coach, Josh Canty at (519) 982-0624 James.canty@gecdsb.on.ca
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