Local boxers head north to bring back some serious hardware

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com



Two local boxers from the Valley Boxing Academy are packing their gloves and heading west for the Canada Winter games in Whitehorse.

Light-heavy weight Cameron Howatt and heavyweight champ Evan Chambers will arrive in the Yukon March seventh to participate in week two of the Games.



The CWG boxing team will be spirited on by head coach Brian Gibson of Kentville and team manager, Jim Worthen of New Glasco.



Howatt, Canadian champion bonze winner says he’s ready for the games, “I’m excited and obviously a little nervous, but I’ve been training hard for three years. Its been a long, long road, but I’m ready to fight,” he said.



Howatt recently moved up in class and plans to use his weight as a advantage. “I have my strategy going in,” he said. “My opponents will be heavier and hit harder, but I’ll have the speed.” Howatt has been sparing in Halifax and says that has been an ideal training situation for him. “I’ve been fighting with guys who have been gold medalists. There’s a lot I’ve learned from them.”



Hard Hitter

Valley Boxing Academy coach Chris Schofield said the challenge right now is to find an opponent for Chambers. “He hasn’t been fighting much because we can’t find an opponent. No one wants to fight him because he hits too hard.” Schofield hopes to have Chambers upgraded to senior status, which could make him eligible for the Olympic trails next year.



Chambers was off the circuit for three months early last year due to a shoulder injury, but he’s now chomping at the bit to be back in the ring. “There’s going to be one hell of a war that for sure,” said Chambers of the upcoming games. “I have no intention of walking out of there a loser. I’m going there for gold and I plan to come back with it,” he said.