As a young teenage boxer, Robert Couzens heard all about the Golden Gloves and the fighters who were held up for celebration as ‘the Golden Boy.’
It’s a title reserved for a fighter who elevates his game in the tournament, and often proves to be one with a lot of potential.
Burnaby’s Couzens would listen to his then-coach Manny Sobral talk about those fighters who had won it before in glowing terms. Receiving it was more than mere approval from the organizers – unlike Marlon Brando’s character in On the Waterfront, you were a contender.
Even though a decade has passed since those days and Couzens is now coached by Mihai Afloarei, the feeling of accomplishment still packed a refreshing punch two weeks ago when the boxer was presented with his Golden Boy award.
“It was so great,” said Couzens, 27. “It’s been a number of years since I fought in the (B.C.) Golden Gloves but as a kid I knew and heard how it was a prestigious local tournament. (Sobral) would show me the list of names of who had won the Golden Boy title each year and it seemed to be the best-of-the-best kind of list. I wanted to be up with those guys.”
By beating rival and reigning B.C. welterweight champ Ilya Kovalenko in a unanimous decision in Richmond, Couzens got his long-awaited wish.
The bout, the Inner City Boxing Club fighter’s second in as many days, saw Kovalenko lay a couple of gloves on him but unable to counter Couzens’ quick and potent strikes.
“He got his fair share in but I felt like I was in a good spot,” noted Couzens.
The two, who outside of the competitive ring are friends and have sparred on occasion, delivered a good main card event in the 69-kilogram division, going the distance before the decision was handed down.
It was just part of a busy past few months, which will include the Canadian national championships later this month in Langford, B.C., where he will be looking to defend his Canadian crown, as well as solidify his spot on the national team.
Last month also saw Couzens compete at the Washington State Golden Gloves, capturing the out-of-state title with a one-fight decision.
Prior to that, he began March with his second tour of duty in the Dominican Republic as part of Team Canada. Although he lost both matches, the latter one to an Ecuadorian boxer, the experience was well worth the cost.
“The first (fight) I won but it was taken away (by decision),” said Couzens. “Last time we went in with a mentality of what it was like. There are a lot of good fighters and I came in with too much weight to cut in too-short a time.”
His focus is now on the nationals in two weeks, where he will have a chance to defend his title. As a teenager Couzens won three consecutive national titles so it isn’t a new situation. However, he believes maturity and experience gives him a good footing in which to stake out his spot this time around.
“I remember the first time I defended my (national) title there seemed to be a lot of pressure, but now I know how to manage my thoughts and the process better. I can stay focused better.”
