PAGE 22. WHTBYr P RE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1989 BOXING Bernie Cormier has judged Canada's best 3y. Mike Johnston Boxing has been a part of Bernie Cormier's life since his days as a young fighter in Mon- treal during the 1940s when he racked up a record of 35-10. Now the Whitby resident, 65, judges fighters instead of stand- ing toe-to-toe with them in the ring. A member of the Ontario Ath- letic Association, he has judged such diverse fighters as Matthew Hilton, Shawn O'Sullivan, Mike Tyson and Willy Featherstone. The retired Lake Ontario Steel Corporation (LASCO) employee has judged many of the world's best fighters through his associa- tion with the International Box- ing Federation (IBF). .If there is a Canadian fight- ing they (IBF) like to get a local j udgeand a fighter's manager likes to get someone local also," says Cormier who moved to Whitby from Montreal in 1965. His 45 fights in the ring have given him the experience to judg. As long as you know the basic rules, you can judge. A lot of guys know the rules but could never judge," says Cormier, adding that they cannot handle the pressure of a hometown crowd. "We (judges) are the guys that make the decision on who wins, not the referee, although the referee has the authority to stop a fight. But usually, we are the guys that get the flak," says Cormier, who joined the Ontario Athletic Commission in 1974. Chuck Williams, a friend from his stint in the Canadian Navy, invited Cormier to join. The com- mission oversees boxing licences, governs kick-boxing and wres- tling and discusses the various rules and regulations surround- ing the boxing industry. Cormier began his boxing career in Montreal in the 1940s. During that time he met his future wife, Rene, and in 1947 he married. He left the ring but he was still a fight fan and would act as a corner man for many Montreal boxers. He has seen many fighters but ranks Sugar Ray Robinson, the former great welterweight, as the best e has ever seen. Cormier recalls Muhammad Ali as one of the better fighters who also did a lot to promote the sport. "When Ali was comin gin (as Cassius Clay), a lot of people said he was just a showboat, but I thought he was good thon. He did more good for the boxing game than any other fighter." As for Canadian fighters, Cor- mier puts Matthew Hilton, a light-middleweight, at the top of the list. Hilton lost his world title to Robert Hines in November, last year. But Cormier says he will be back. "That was his first loss as a pro. He was the world champion and he still has great possibili- SEE PAGE 26 Whitby minor novices capture silver stick championship Des p ite some anxious as a "barnburner" by Witby tame affair as Whitby skated to highly competitive. In the end, Kitamura, set u by Tanner moments, Witby minor novices coachBil Sclitt, ended in a a 3-1 victory over a team from the stellar goaltending of Chuck Westfall, with only 21 seconds recently captured the inter- Whitby victory overStreetsville west London, Ont. Coles and Shari Bryksa, who remaining in the final period to national silver stick hockey tour- only after an overtime period and Scblitt said the AA division for both play in each game, may edge Georgetown 2-1 in the open- ament. two series of shootouts. minor novices (8-year-olds) mn have proved to be the difference. ingame. A semi-final game, described By comparison, tbe final was a wbich his team competed was Whitby got a goal from Evan obby Schlitt had the first goal for the Whitby team, sponsored by Ontario Transportation Sys- tems, which was one bf the top teams in the local league which begins playoffs this month. Whitby's second game in the silver stick saw them gain what Minor inalswould be their easiest victory, by a 5-1 score over Meadowvale. Sam Scheepers scored two goals, while Justin Terry, Kita- mura and Westfall had singles. Whitby was close to victor in the third game but a north Lon- j don team tied the game 2-2 with time running out. "That was a close game," said Schlitt. "They were an excellent tea." Kitamura and Westfall scored for Whitby. The "barnburner" is one Schlitt won't soon forget. "I still get shivers when I think of it," he said. "I was wasted when it was over." Kitamura, an offensive stan- dout in the tournament, had scored in regulation time as the two teams were tied 1-1 in what Schlitt described as a fast con- test, "up and down at both ends." The score remained the same after a 10-minute overtime, so a shootout followed, with five players from each team going one-on-one against the goalies Schlitt scored the only Whitby MEMBERS of Whitby Ontarmo Transportation Sys- Biy Duncanc Derek Ackford, Matthew Foran, Evan goal mn the shootout, his goal tem minor novice A hockey team. that reoently won Cardwell; (back, from left) coach Bill Schlitt, mana- matched by only one Streests- the international silver stick championship, ar a ger Harry Kitamura, Ryan Hickingbottom, Randy ville player. A second shootout, front, from left) capta KyleImriei u assistant ccaat. Davidson, Wesley Suddons, Neil MacDonald, Tanner involvmg five new payers from Evan Kitamura, assistant capt. Adam La y, Boby Westfall, Saxnmie Scheepers,. Justin Terry,. trainer eac hteam theakte edlc Schlitt, goalie Chuck Coles, goalie Shari Bryksa, Jerry Cardwell ac i __wasthenhe - -- --.A.~45jB~IUUU DO .user ssr.. an. photo Fue as mphoto SEE PAGE 24 I RÀR