VAWN, Sask. — Boxing is in David Edwards’ blood, but being a cowboy comes first.
While the 14-year-old dreams of boxing for Canada in the Olympics, he would like nothing better than to ride the range for a community pasture.
He trains his own horses and en-joys riding on his family’s 600 acre spread, tucked in beside Midnight Lake north of Glaslyn, Sask.
He pays attention to his horse and nature around him, looking for deer, bear and coyotes. Part of his horse training involves swimming while riding.
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While his parents admire their boy, admittedly they sometimes have to wonder about him.
Many have commented that young David seems older, more serious than his years, reminding them of an old soul.
“I always find it amazing his passion for horses, in cattle and animals because that doesn’t come from Terry nor I,” said Edwards’ mother, Patti.
“Somehow, someway he wants that in his life when he’s an adult.… When school mates were doing a social event, he stayed home and rode his horse alone until dark. We came home and he was smiling happier than anything.”
Added his father: “I think he’s quite happy to be alone and go and do his thing. When he comes home (from riding), you can’t keep him quiet.”
Five years ago, and not enjoying his hockey experience, Edwards looked around his community for other sport opportunities.
He and his parents settled on boxing at the Turtle River Boxing Club in Vawn, now in it’s 19th year.
Posters of boxing legends stare down from the gym’s white walls at a crop of boxing young bloods as they shuffle, jab, hook and feign across the ring.
Lightning fast feet and explosive punches have champion written all over them as Edwards spars for three two-minute rounds during a Wed-nesday night practice.
Now in his fifth year of competition, he has the makings of a winning boxer, says Dan McCaffrey, coach and founder of the rural boxing gym.
McCaffrey has helped discover and train several champions, most notably his nephew, Joey LeClaire, who was named Canadian champion, won several golden glove awards and western Canadian titles and represented Canada in Poland and Cuba.
McCaffrey said that like LeClaire, Edwards has what it takes to be another Canadian champion.
“It didn’t take too long after he started here that I could tell he had something in him that he probably could become a Canadian champion sometime,” he said.
“I fully expect that he will one of these years. It’s not easy. A lot of things can go wrong in that tournament, but I really believe he will win the championship.”
Besides speed, power and raw talent, McCaffrey said Edwards has what he calls the 3-Ds.
“He’s got the determination, he’s got the desire to be a champion and he’s got the dedication. He’s here all the time and he works hard. You can go a long ways with that.”
Last month, Edwards won silver in the 50 kilogram class at the Junior Canadian National Boxing Championships in Quebec. He’s looking forward to May, when he and his father will travel to Wales for a tournament.
But spring is in the air and despite the boxing season, Edwards can’t wait to start soaking up the sights as he rides the back country.
