Local boxer hoping to make some noise at junior nationals in Calgary

Lionel 'Leo the Lion' Azuni is vying for a national title after taking a gold medal at Alberta's provincial boxing tournament.

Lionel Azuni’s ring nickname is “Leo the Lion,” and the 15-year-old from Calgary thinks it fits him well.

“It just relates to my name,” said Azuni.

“I don’t know; my coach came up with it, and it has stuck ever since.”

Azuni started boxing when he was 11 years old, and he’s already had many accomplishments.

He’s won golden gloves, a diamond belt and he just brought home the gold medal in the 57-kilogram junior “C” category at the provincial tournament in Edmonton.

Azuni says he tried soccer, but it just wasn’t the sport for him.

“I really noticed some of my teammates that weren’t trying,” he said.

“Sometimes, we’d lose, and I didn’t like that.

“I always wanted to put in the work for myself, and my results would show in the ring. That’s why I decided to choose boxing.”

Junior nationals

“Leo the Lion” isn’t the biggest boxer, but he packs a powerful punch.

Azuni says he’s hoping to make some noise at the upcoming junior nationals at the Genesis Centre later this month.

“My expectations are to go in there and show what I’ve been working on. Win or lose, that’s OK because I’ve worked hard and I’m ready,” said Azuni.

“The fighters are from everywhere.

“I‘ve sparred with a lot of people, and I know what it feels like to be in the ring. I’m ready to fight everybody.”

Azuni’s dad, Besnik, says he’s proud of his son in and out of the ring.

“He’s a very good kid,” he said.

“He’s listening well, and he’s doing very well in school and training hard every day.

“I’m very proud of him.”

Bright future

Azuni’s trainer is Luis Raposo, who has trained many boxers over the years.

He says Azuni is a quick learner and has a bright future in the sport.

“He was very dedicated and worked very hard,” said Raposo.

“Everything I taught him, all the movements—he started doing it very young, so I kind of knew that he was going to be something special.”

Azuni is dedicated in the ring and in the classroom.

He says he trains multiple times a day, and he maintains a 90-plus average in school.

He says he’s not afraid when he pulls on the boxing gloves because being smart has been the key to his success over the years.

“When I’m in the ring, I feel safe because I know in my training I’ve worked on my defence,” he said.

“I’ve put in the hours on my defence and moving my head.

“I know how to defend myself in the ring.”

The Junior and Youth National Championships run from March 18 to the 22 at the Genesis Centre.