A prominent boxer in London is looking to bring a national title back to the Forest City for the first time in years.
Abdul Jouda is the current back-to-back Ontario champion for amateur boxing in his class. After the rising the top of the province, the Palestine-born boxer now has his eyes on a bigger prize.
In late April, the 23-year-old will be headed to Victoria, B.C. to represent Ontario at the 2019 Super Channel Championships. Along with taking home a title for London, Jouda is looking to redeem himself from a previous appearance on the national stage.
“I was gun-shy… I didn’t execute as well as I would’ve wanted to,” said Jouda.
Journey to the nationals
A spot on Team Ontario wasn’t served to Jouda on a silver platter.
Jouda and his family first came to Canada from Palestine in 2002, and even then boxing wasn’t an obvious choice of sport.
“It came to my mind later on… I was introduced to it by my brother.”
A reoccurring theme in Jouda’s growth can be found in his family, which he says shaped him into the fighter he is today.
“I come from a big family. There’s eight boys in total… there’s always been that competitive spirit where we’re always trying to fight for everything.”
Jouda adds that outside of fights with his brothers, he always been able to enjoy a loving family that supported him every step of the way.
A banner at Warrior’s Boxing and Fitness. The club recently added Boomerz Boxing Club to its facility on Adelaide Street.
Stepping into the ring
It was between 2012 and 2013 when Jouda stepped into the boxing world. His first fight would come from outside the ring.
“I really didn’t have enough money… my parents couldn’t afford to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars into one sport that I might not be into.”
Instead, Jouda was graced by the generosity of Lawrence Boom, a boxing coach who was one of the most well-respected names in the local community.
Boom offered to train Jouda and invited him to his gym, Boomerz Boxing Club, completely free-of-charge.
“I’ve come to realize that he’s done that for everybody. I thought I was special,” joked Jouda.
A mentor inside and outside of the gym, Boom passed away in 2017, only three months after the death of Jouda’s father. Still, the boxer says Boom lives on every time he steps into the ring.
“When I fight now, I see him in the corner… For each fight [I’m] representing the name and the legacy.”
A memorial banner of Lawrence Boom hangs in the gym of Warrior’s Boxing and Fitness.
Awaiting April
In the meantime, Jouda is spending his time training with coach Kyle Millette, who has been with him since Boom.
“We’re travelling from Toronto to wherever… just to get the toughest sparring that we need to advance to the next level.”
Along with grueling workouts, Jouda has started a fundraiser to help pay for his trip to B.C., which has already reeled in more than $400.
“I want to host my own boxing show, hopefully at the end of March… to fund raise and help support other national fighters.”
As for the support Jouda’s received from his family, coaches and London as a whole, Jouda says, “it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Organized by Boxing Canada, the 2019 Super Channel Championships will run from Apr. 23 to Apr. 27 in Victoria, B.C.
You can listen to Jouda’s full interview with XFM News below.
