IAN CANNON SET TO DO EXIBITION AT HALF-TIME OF HARTFORD COLONIALS FOOTBALL GAME OCTOBER 16TH, 2010 AT RENTCHLER FIELD IN EAST HARTFORD, CT.
– Ian Cannon’s “ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES” Wheelchair boxing program will roll into Rentchler field in East Hartford, Ct on October 16th during halftime of a Hartford Colonials football game. With an opponent to be announced shortly, Cannon is happy to once again have the chance to demonstrate his skills while spreading the word about his program.
“It’s all about getting the word out,” he said in between mitt-work rounds at the Lion’s Den Training Center. “The more I show people how effective this workout has been for me, the more interest it will gain. We have four wheelchair boxers as of now, and it’s growing.”
With his program just over two years old, Cannon is confident it will become what he imagined it would. “It takes time. Every great accomplishment was achieved through hard-work and many set-backs. I’m convinced that people don’t achieve great things because the road to their dreams is much harder in reality than in their minds, causing them to quit. There’s no quit in me, and there’s no looking back. Boxing is just a metaphor for achieving your dreams. It’s always a battle. October 16th is just another step in the right direction, and I’m thankful to the Colonials and Lion’s Den for giving me the chance to spread the word.”
As for his opponent?
“I’ve got people working on that right now. I’ll be satisfied and thankful with whoever it is. I just hope people truly take an interest in what we’re trying to accomplish here and that the program continues to give back to those who need it. That’s what’s it all about.”
Remillard, Cannon battle to a standing “O”
On the rise to boxing stardom “off” the wheelchair, undefeated NABF featherweight champion Matt “Sharpshooter” Remillard proved every bit the classy professional by volunteering his skills in the sports first “wheelchair” boxing bout featuring himself and “Roll With The Punches” wheelchair boxing founder, Ian “The Don” Cannon.
“It’s all about giving back,” a smiling Remillard said before the bout. “Giving back to the victims of this terrible accident, and giving back to the ‘Roll with the punches’ boxing program.”
After being wheeled to the center of the ring to answer the bell for round one, Remillard found himself in a slugfest during his “wheelchair boxing” debut on the “Fight the Good Fight” fundraiser event June 26th at the Hartford Convention Center.
A toe-to-toe war, Remillard kept the bout close, flurrying late in round three, but it was too little too late. Fueled from the standing ovation of a crowd that exceeded 3,000 people, Cannon never stopped throwing punches.
“After I dropped him with the right hook I knew I had it,” said an exuberant Cannon after the bout. “But, as it sometimes goes in boxing, you never want to leave it to the judges, so I never let up.”
Cannon used slick body movement and a “peek-a-boo” style defense to counter his more experienced opponent with quick flurries.
“I fought him in the classic amateur boxing style. I just out-hustled and out-punched him,” he added.
“He brought his game tonight,” Remillard said after the 3 round unanimous decision loss. “He’s got a great right hook and his stamina is amazing. I might have taken him lightly. I definitely want a rematch.”
As for Remillard’s career: “I’m still undefeated off the wheelchair,” he said confidently, “and I plan on keeping it that way. But I’d like a rematch if Cannon would grant me one.”
Ian?
“I will absolutely grant him a rematch. Just for the fact that he gave me a shot in the first place. He’s a good sport and a great champ.”
As for Ian’s next opponent?
“I got my sights set on a legend,” he said with a grin. Though he wouldn’t reveal who this legend is, he sometimes referred to him as “Boom Boom.” One can only guess.
ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES, wheelchair boxing, is the creation and dream of seventeen-year-old, Glastonbury Connecticut native, Ian Cannon. The program was developed as a way to help people who are wheelchair bound to strengthen their muscles and gain flexibility and confidence. Ian, who has cerebral palsy, uses his training techniques to gain strength, but does not dismiss the benefits of how his training has helpled him mentally.
“It’s been an amazing journey so far,” said Cannon, in between focus mitt work with strength trainer and Lion’s Den instructor, Jason Gruzcka. “I got into this strictly as a way to gain strength and flexibility, but then it turned into something more.”
That “something more” Ian was referring to is a dream to actually become a boxer. “To most people, it sounded crazy. But then again, anytime someone achieves something amazing, there’s always people saying it couldn’t or shouldn’t be tried. With help along the way from top local pro’s John Scully, Pito Cardona and top coach Johnny Callas, I’ve learned a lot. As important as the physical benefits it has had on me, it has helped me mentally, boosting my confidence in ways I can’t describe.”
And after three years of training, Ian’s progress, determination and over-all desire to see his program flourish has been recognized by many of boxing’s “top” names, including: Top trainer and former lightweight contender Freddie Roach, MMA lightweight contender Kenny Florian, local promoter Jimmy Burchfield and former heavyweight contender Marvis Frazier, to name some.
“The only thing left to do now is showcase what I’ve learned in the ring,” Ian said. “It’s time. I hope by doing this many others who are wheelchair bound will realize that this sport, whether they compete or not, is a wonderful way to get in shape and strengthen muscles. In fact, my health has improved drastically. I thoroughly believe that my boxing training has prevented a surgury I’ve been scheduled for for years now.”
And as for being disabled?
“Disabled? I truly hope my efforts here show others, not wheelchair bound, to get up off the couch and not only start achieving their dreams, but to hopefully help others to achieve theirs. It is important that people fortunate enough to have a fully functioning body realize this fact, and know there are others out there without this advantage who are making the most of their lives without complaint. Remember, you don’t need arms and legs to help those in need, you need a strong and willing mind. That I got.”
When put like that, “disabled” hardly seems a good word to describe this young man.
To find out more about this program, please call the Lion’s Den Training Center at 860-613-2394.
