Heavyweight boxing champ visits Eganville
By Emily McPhee - Special to This Week
Posted 3 months ago
Canadian heavyweight boxing champ, Rock Bosquet, came to Eganville this past Saturday to teach local youth the fundamentals of boxing and mixed martial arts. He was brought to the area by martial arts legend Charlie Johnstone, the founder and coach of the Eganville Karate, BJJ, Kickboxing Club.
While Bosquet may be intimidating in stature, his big smile and easy-going nature seemed to quickly put students at ease. He and Johnstone originally met when they teamed up to teach self-defense classes. Although they come from different backgrounds and disciplines, the two men have bonded over a shared interest in helping local youth – an interest that clearly benefited those who attended on Saturday.
Rock Bosquet is 29 years old and was born in Montreal. His full name is Rockedouard, but he is usually referred to as “Rock” since he says it is “easier to remember.” After moving to Ottawa as a teenager he found his calling when he decided to join the Gale Kerwin Boxing Club. He says he initially signed up just to get in shape, but after a year of rapid progress he was encouraged to start fighting competitively.
Bosquet currently practices both traditional boxing and mixed martial arts. When asked which form of fighting he prefers, he says with a wink that whenever he takes a beating in one style, he chooses to prefer the other for a while.
A humble man, Bosquet considers himself primarily a student rather than a teacher because he still has “a lot to learn.” Yet when he isn’t focused on training for a fight he gladly shares his experience and skills with the community.
Like his colleague Johnstone, Bosquet especially enjoys teaching younger students and says he finds it rewarding to help them “grow and improve.” He says he believes training children in boxing and martial arts is a great idea as it “keeps them out of trouble” and “teaches discipline and respect.”
Bosquet proved his commitment to this goal by volunteering his time at the Eganville dojo on Saturday. The class was well attended, and he and Johnstone plan to team up again in the near future.