NEWS RELEASE | Canadian Boxers Shine at Independence Cup, Claiming Thirteen Medals

Mar 3, 2025 | National Team News, Press Release

Source: Boxing Canada. Photos: Matt Marshall

March 1, 2025 | MONTREAL, QC – Team Canada has kicked off the 2025 boxing season with a stellar performance at the Independence Cup in the Dominican Republic, securing four gold medals, one silver, and eight bronze. Competing against top athletes from across the PanAmerican Confederation, this event served as an ideal warm-up before the team shifts its focus to European tournaments.

Independence Cup Results:

Gold Medals:

  • Randy Polines (51kg, AB, Chestermere Boxing Club)
  • Keoma Ali Al Ahmadieh (63.5kg, QC, The Corner)
  • McKenzie Wright (50kg, ON, Fight Night Boxing Club)
  • Marie Al Ahmadieh (57kg, QC, The Corner)

Silver Medal:

  • Anne Marcotte (50kg, QC, Sherbrooke Boxing Club)

Bronze Medals:

  • Aleissa Mansueto (60kg, QC, Ring 83)
  • Kaitlyn Clark (65kg, ON, Destiny Boxing Club)
  • Kuwardeep Manu (71kg, ON, King of the Ring)
  • Adam Fregonas (75kg, ON, Grant’s MMA)
  • Joshua Ofori (75kg, AB, Marshall Boxing Club)
  • Nickenson Denis (80kg, QC, Boxe Montreal)
  • Bryan Colwell (92kg, BC, Empire Boxing)
  • Bede Rowlands (92kg, QC, The Corner)

Head Coach Vincent Auclair expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It feels good to get back on the international scene with this new team. We have a great mix of young and experienced boxers”. The roster for the event was chosen after an intense camp in Montreal during January. Following the Olympics there were several significant changes to the team with veterans Wyatt Sanford and Tammara Thibeault taking time to focus on school and building their professional boxing careers rather than jumping directly back to Olympic-style competition. 

“Our 2024 Olympians deserve some time off. Not only will this allow some younger athletes to rise up, but they will also be ready to come back to the National Team fully rested and recovered from eight years of dedicated training.”, said Executive Director Christopher Lindsay. Athlete wellness and holistic development has been a focus of the Boxing Canada program. Sustainable careers and long-term Olympic potential is a priority.

When looking at the performances of the refreshed National Team, Auclair was emphatic: “The athletes showed grit and skill during the Independence Cup. I’m very satisfied with the results and performances of our boxers, with four golds and finishing as the second-best team of the tournament. These experiences are the cornerstone of our boxers’ development.”

Senior National Team Coach Samir El Mais was also very pleased with the performances he saw in the ring. “We have a young team that has bright years ahead of them.” With the international schedule increasing under the leadership of World Boxing, the development of Canadian athletes should increase. Samir added, “I’m looking forward for this year and how much experience these athletes will have as we chart a path to the LA Olympics.”

Full results from the Independence Cup can be found here.

Looking Ahead

The Canadian boxing team now turns its attention to upcoming competitions, beginning with the Canada Cup in Calgary from March 19-22. Following this domestic event, the focus will return to intensive training ahead of major international tournaments:

  • World Boxing Challenge Cup – Czech Republic (June 10-15)
  • World Cup – Germany (August 4-10)
  • World Championships – England (September 15-25)

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About Boxing Canada: Boxing Canada is the national sport organization for the sport of Olympic Boxing in Canada. It provides leadership for national programming, teams, and policies in partnership with each province and territory’s sport organization. Thanks to the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, and all our national partners for their support.

Source: Boxing Canada. Photos: Matt Marshall