COCHRANE, Alberta — Eric de Guzman is the owner of Teofista Boxing Sables which is based out of Cochrane on Lochend Road.

“I have been coaching boxing since 2003 having taken up the sport in my youth after losing a hockey fight during a junior tryout. I hold a professional Trainer’s Licence in Arizona, Nevada, New York, California and throughout Alberta with a current membership base of over 100 people,” says Guzman.

One of the highlights of his coaching career to date was involved with UFC244 at Madison Square Garden where one President Donald J. Trump was in attendance. Closer to home, he is incredibly proud being part of Steve Claggett’s team when he won the Canadian Welterweight Championship – particularly because this was one of his first major titles as a coach.

Guzman believes a training program benefits those that are looking at this as a long-term relationship. The boxing gym is a lifestyle you live and not something you play like hockey or soccer. His gym is home to elite athletes, including one of Canada’s top MMA fighters, Mean Hakeem Dawadou.

“We have a wide demographic of members. We start by looking at what each new member’s goal is and then train them accordingly.

We have helped children who have been bullied about their weight and overcome the negative feelings that this caused them by providing them with a positive outlet to change both their physique and mindset and, on the other hand, we have trained people who have held a lifelong ambition of learning to box realize their dream.”

Guzman says boxing is a competitive sport and, with that, comes dealing with the losses. Reflecting on a loss allows you to focus on how you can improve moving forward. Winning is great but, at the same time, it is only when you lose that you can really learn.

“Coaching and life generally has taught me that God has a plan and that all good things must come to an end at some point so I take each day as it comes. Ultimately, I hope that I am remembered as an open and honest coach who was quite happy to speak his mind.”

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