The News
WESTVILLE - Finding ring opponents for Dukus Davis and Bobby Harris has been a tough go.
"It's hard to get fights for some of these guys," says Westville Academy of Amateur Boxing coach Tom Davis.
Davis, a 6'7", 235-pound superheavyweight, is just 18, and there's not many juniors in Nova Scotia - if at all - who can match the size of the reigning Canadian junior heavyweight champion.
"The real competition for them is at nationals - that's the level they need to get better," said Tom Davis.
Davis, Harris, and fellow club member Mike McGrath will all head to Kentville this weekend, for the junior provincial amateur boxing championships.
"I'm not sure if there'll be anyone there to fight," says Dukus Davis. "I'm just trying to stay ready for when the fights come."
Harris, also of Westville, has a 17-4 record as an amateur.
The reigning national bronze medallist also is not guaranteed an opponent when he enters the 54KG class on Saturday - the 15-year-old won provincials last year in a walkover when no one stepped up to the plate in his category.
"I'm excited to be going," says Harris. "I'm definitely prepared. I don't really expect to fight this weekend, but there's a chance that I will."
Tom Davis said that McGrath, of Stellarton, is well-prepared for his first provincial tournament, as he's been able to get in some quality sparring with Harris and Coady Hoover, another up-and-comer at the Westville club.
"I'm just gonna do my best and see what happens," McGrath said.
