November 14, 2023 (Smiths Falls, ON) – Hazel Pevere is a Grade 8 student at Chimo Elementary School in Smiths Falls, and after some hard-fought bouts is the new Ontario Boxing Champion in the 57kg Novice Female Division! Pevere has never been one to back down from a challenge in the ring, and she brings this same determined spirit to leadership opportunities within her school as well.
Training out of the Comodus Boxing Club in Perth, Pevere has been sparring and refining her techniques for two years, competing whenever possible to build up her experience in the ring.
At the Boxing Ontario Novice Tournament, held in Brampton in late October, Hazel punched her way to victory through two fights. The referee stopped the first fight in the 3rd round in favour of Hazel, and the second bout gave her the championship with a nerve-wracking split decision.
“I just like it,” stated Hazel. “I started two years ago kind of out of nowhere, then I started sparring with people and I really liked that!”
For those looking to get started in boxing or a similar sport, Pevere offered some words of encouragement: “It’s not as much fun when you’re just learning the basics, but when you get to go in the ring, then it gets really fun. Don’t quit before the fun starts!”
Jason Pevere, Hazel’s father, is proud of her accomplishments. “I just love that she has something that she’s passionate about. As long as she’s enjoying it, that’s all that matters,” he said of his daughter. “She’s so competitive! She goes for a 5 km run most days before the bus picks her up!”
Out of the ring and in her school, Pevere often helps younger students and gets involved in a variety of school-wide initiatives. For example, she was eager to step up and emcee the Grade 8 Graduation last year and was part of the team that planned and organized the successful Chimo Dance-a-Thon this fall.