'Hard work paid off': Area boxer brings home Canadian title

A homegrown Collingwood man has brought home the Canadian welterweight title.

Twin Tiger Boxing Academy co-owner Cody Kelly competed in the Canadian Super Welterweight competition on Nov. 30 in Pickering. Coached by the club’s co-owner and Kelly’s wife Jaimee Love, Kelly brought home the belt after seven intense rounds where he knocked his opponent down three times.

“Fighting in such high-pressure matches truly tests my abilities as a fighter,” Kelly told CollingwoodToday. “It was rewarding to know that my hard work had paid off, and the support from my gym family has been incredible — they really rally behind me on fight nights.”

Born and raised in Collingwood, Kelly met Love in high school and the couple connected again later on in life. They’ve co-owned Twin Tiger Boxing Academy for 12 years.

Kelly credits Love with creating his strict diet and training routine that he feels helped lead to his success on the mat.

“(She has) a wealth of experience in fitness and training, allowing us to support both amateur and professional fighters in our community,” he said.

Kelly started boxing competitively in his early 20s after developing a strong passion for the sport. He started his amateur career 15 years ago, and boasts a WBC Canadian Amateur Championship title before transitioning into professional boxing.

His professional boxing career started in 2017, the same month his son Theodore was born.

“Boxing appeals to me for its blend of discipline, strategy, and physical challenge — there's nothing quite like the thrill of stepping into the ring,” he said.

It can be a lot for Kelly to balance running the gym, following a strict diet, working out multiple times a day, intense fight training as well as being a husband and father.

“It's a hectic lifestyle, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything,” he said.

Kelly took home the championship belt and a purse for his win. He’ll hold onto the title for six months before he’s required to defend it.

And it’s not the only his recent personal success he’s celebrating. In the new year, Twin Tiger Boxing Academy will be moving into a new, larger space at 293 Pretty River Parkway.

There will be a grand reopening event on Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the move, which will include tours, an opportunity to meet Kelly and see the belt, and enjoy samples from Norm’s Frozen Yogurt.

For more information on Twin Tiger Boxing Academy, click here.