CALGARY, Alberta — It all started back in 2015 with a few punching bags, training equipment displayed in a garage and the dream of getting into the ring to compete. Angelo Habib and a few friends who had a crush on boxing began training together. As they were joined for more fellows, they were able to organize tournaments.

“Whatever we were doing in that garage was working and paying off because we started winning tournaments across Alberta,” Habib, a professional boxer (super light) and Olympus Boxing Club CEO said. “In 2017, we opened the Olympus Boxing Club’s first commercial location. From there, we kept expanding and winning tournaments. We won provincials, took part in nationals and opened two more spots.”

When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, Habib and friends were forced out of that gym. They took six months off before setting up in the current location.

Now they have about 40 fighters, four of them professionals, and four national-ranked amateur fighters, according to Habib, who started boxing professionally in 2020 and is undefeated in four matches (two KOs).

Dodging the pitfalls

This Calgarian gym manages to find funds for those who cannot afford to practice the sport.

“A lot of these kids grew up with no funds or have no means to afford boxing, so we offer free programs to them,” Habib said. “Amateur boxers don’t get paid to box, even some of the professionals have to pay their way to get the fights. That is why we set up boxing matches to fundraise for events as well as bottle drives and GoFundMe campaigns.

Local businesses and sponsors also support Olympus athletes.

Knocking down violence and problems

The Olympus manager pointed out that a few young people who have been involved in gang activity, drugs or partying come to the Olympus aiming to canalize their energy.

“Instead of fighting on the streets, they can fight in the ring and get rewarded for that,” Habib said.

Jordan McNaughton got back on track thanks to boxing.

“When I was growing up, I was getting into fights and giving my mom a lot of headaches,” the welter professional boxer McNaughton, who holds a 5-0 record with four KOs, recalled. “She said that we had to find something to do with me and, fortunately, I got interested in boxing. I ended up getting into the gym and falling in love with the sport.”

McNaughton got into the ring when he was 17, had his first amateur fight in 2012 and turned professional in 2019. He hopes to fight for a Canadian title soon.

Tasha Wespi is one of the few women training at the Olympus Boxing Club and went into boxing because she was in a toxic relationship. She had a lot of anger to release and boxing was crucial in that process.

“During the pandemic, I wanted to become an influencer on weight loss and boxing,” she said. “A big part of my weight loss journey had to do with boxing. I lost 42 pounds.”

Wespi is also a personal trainer and a coach.

“At first, I was coaching beginners, then I trained amateurs and professionals,” she said. “I was even cornering fighters at their amateur fights and I ended up falling in love with the sport. Then I decided I wanted to fight and started training for it.”

Wespi, who has three amateur fights, is still deciding whether she wants to become a professional boxer or fight for a spot on the Olympic team.

The 2020 Provincial 112-pound champion Sam Fajardo is determined to fight for a place on the Canadian Team. His first stop on the road is the provincial tournament (February). If he claims the regional title, he will get a shot at nationals (March).

Fajardo, who fought as an amateur for the first time in 2018, started boxing to lose weight. After achieving his goal, he realized how much he liked boxing and decided to fight competitively.

Boxing for everyday life

Israel Monge, 17, became a boxer three years ago. Boxing has taught him discipline, self-control and has provided him with a mindset that eases his everyday life. His immediate goal is to learn as much as possible from the other guys at the gym. In 2022, he will compete at the coming provincials and will try to get a ticket to nationals.

Josh Vreeken is a salesman who considers boxing “a fun way of working out” and gets motivation from the whole boxing routine. He has been training in the Olympus since the first day it was open. He shows up every evening to get his heart rate up, feel good about himself, relieve his stress and get mentally fit.

Mike Manuel is the most respected voice in the gym. He is a former track and field coach and current professional boxing coach out of Legacy and Olympus boxing clubs. He has been coaching McNaughton for 11 years and started working with Habib last year.

“Boxing is a very disciplined sport,” Manuel said. “You have to be focused and dedicated to it, otherwise you are going to get hurt, and the last thing I want to see as a coach is these guys getting hurt. I want them well prepared and following the specific plan we prepared for every opponent. Our goal is just to build up athletes and help them through their path either in the amateur or the pro field.”

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