Boucher will be one of the boxers in action Saturday evening at the Notre-Dame Center, during the gala presented by Waardenburg and the people from Speedy Gym, who manage to keep their rhythm of two events per season.
“You can have talent, you can have good shots, but it takes passion, a lot of passion, to get into this sport,” explains Waardenburg, who himself boxed and did mixed martial arts among the pros. And Antony, I tell you, he is passionate. He eats boxing, he never gets enough of it!”
Waardenburg will add that one should not trust the rather modest record (two wins and four losses) of the Lac-Brome resident.
“I lost fights because I had trouble managing my stress,” says Boucher. It’s still a challenge for me, but it’s getting better. I still have a lot to learn, but I think I’m a good student.”
Boucher fights at 155 pounds. On Saturday, if there are no last minute changes, he will face a man named Johancel Cristano, from Montreal.
“I’ve been training for three years. Since I was young, I have watched all the films about boxing. THE Rocky, I must have seen them five times each! And the first time I set foot in Speedy Gym, I fell in love with the sport.”
— Anthony Boucher
His idol is Artur Beterbiev. As Boucher is from this generation, he follows him religiously… on Instagram.
“He’s come this far and he’s worked hard for it. You can’t be successful in boxing if you don’t work like crazy.”
Beside him, Waardenburg smiles brightly. He likes what he hears.
“I love being in the gym, I love working out. Even after long days on construction (he works for the family business), I’m happy to put on the gloves. It’s part of me now.”
Butcher with Dimitri Waardenburg. The trainer believes in his foal. (The Voice of the East)
Waardenburg will say that Boucher has good shots and moves well. He still needs to improve his defense, it seems.
“I like what I see of him. I like his attitude. “It’s his best quality,” he will insist.
A dozen fights are planned for Saturday. Waardenburg emphasizes that we should not miss the return of Sam Depot, which returns after a couple of years of absence. Yes, we are talking here about the same Sam Depot which owns Oblon, this very trendy restaurant on Principale Street.
Tickets are selling well, but there are still some left. We get them at Speedy Gym.
