By Lawrence Powell
The Spectator
NovaNewsNow.com
Middleton’s Cyrus Taylor will represent Nova Scotia at the up-coming Youth and Junior National Boxing Championships in St. Hyacinthe, QC in the New Year in the 75 kg middleweight division. The event will take place on February 28 through March 3. Pegasus Amateur Boxing Club’s head coach and president Bruce Harkness will also travel to Quebec with Taylor.
Seventeen-year-old Taylor is a Grade 12 student at Middleton Regional High School.
“We at Pegasus are very proud of Cyrus’s achievements,” said Harkness. “He has worked extremely hard this year with his latest accomplishment earning a silver medal this past February at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax. Taylor is an extremely talented, dedicated, and determined young athlete.”
Harkness said Taylor is focused on the gold medal in Quebec. He has already won three bronze and two silver medals (including the medal at the 2011 Winter Games) at the national level.
“This is Cyrus’ year for the ever-elusive gold medal,” said Harkness. “He trains extremely hard, too hard sometimes and I have to curb it back a bit. We will be traveling back and forth to Dartmouth at least once a week starting in January so Cyrus can get some good sparring.”
Impressive Wins
Taylor is coming off a couple of impressive wins this past fall. He was in with a very tough 23-year-old south paw named Shane Upshaw of Warriors Boxing in Dartmouth. They met three times since September with Taylor winning twice.
“The loss,” said Harkness, “was a split decision in North Preston that I thought he won convincingly. I don’t know what fight the judges were watching. He could have been busier I guess, this is something we are working very hard at.
Harkness said Taylor seems to fight at the level of his opponent sometimes when he could notch it up another gear.
“I want him throwing more punches and initiating more of the combat, start quick and get his opponent on his heels from the beginning,” the coach said.
Other Pegasus News
Harkness said the club has been very busy this season with many new members as well as the really popular ladies-only class on Monday evenings. Monica Coyle and Jamie Lee Smith, both 16, have also been in the ring this year.
“Both have loads of potential and are looking forward to their next bouts,” said Harkness.
Alex Bertrand, one of the many new members, is chomping at the bit for his first action in the competitive ring.
“He shows great promise and is very coachable with a good attitude towards his training,” said Harkness.
The coach said thanks goes out to Dave Muir and Ken Rodgers, the other coaches at Pegasus.
“I could not do this without them. Dave is also working towards his Level 4 official for amateur boxing.”
Pegasus boxers currently train at the Fitness Experience Health Club in Middleton. If you are interested in amateur boxing call Harkness at 825-1671 or email harkness@eastlink.ca
The Pegasus boxing program emphasizes fundamentals, discipline, sportsmanship, and conditioning. The primary mission of the club is to encourage each member to develop to the fullest of his/her potential. The club provides an atmosphere where members are given a chance to help develop self-esteem, a sense of belonging, and respect for others.
