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_ waterlios "I just kept going and had these mentors come up to me and saying it d?'l matâ€" ter." said ShamoGn, after receiving encouragement from people like Syd "The Jewel Vanderpool. "I won my first fight at novice provinâ€" â€" While the first couple of fights resulted in losses, Shamoon was told that even local boxing legend Lennox Lewis lost his first two fights. And when Shamoon started winning, it became natural. "I was thrown in the ring to spar, and I did well," said Shamoon. "After that I got into it more, and a few months later they said, Ben we‘ve got a fight for you." But what started as a way of staying in shape has turned into a passion for the Resurrection secondary school student, who now trains nightly. Continued from page 26 Shamoon not afraid to take the belt at nationals Mmattress 282 Marsland Drive, Unit B, Waterloo 747â€"3729 www . waterloomattress.ca Factory Showroom Ryan added his young protégé makes his job easier because he‘s willing to listen unlike other fighters. "Boxing is a thinking man‘s game," said Ryan, wellâ€" known in amateur boxing circles. "You have to use your head in the ring." Shamoon‘s coach at McGrory‘s, Vinnie Ryan, said that was the difference for his fighterâ€"he went into the ring with a plan. "You have to be mentally focused," said Shamoon. "I looked at the belt before the fight and said, ‘I‘m taking that to school tomorrow."" The only setback came at this year‘s provincfals. Shamoon said he went into the Ontario championship against Shewell a little unfoâ€" cused and learned a lesson he carried with him to the nationals. cials and after that I just kept As an Assyrian Christian in northern Iraq they had few rights in the Muslim domiâ€" nated country. They had to Perhaps that determinaâ€" tion was passed down to Shamoon from his grandfaâ€" ther, George. He was also a boxer in his native Iraq before the authorities put a end to what looked like a promising future for the sixâ€" footâ€"two fighter. Come and try our new memory foam mattress "Give him a plan and he sticks to the plan," said Ryan. "Once he‘s in the ring I know that he‘s going to follow it." "I looked at the belt before the fight and said, I‘m taking that to school tommorrow."" Canadian cadet title holder RESTAURANT & SPORTS BArR "Watch The Game Here" 597 King St. N., Waterlioo 880â€"1828 190 Gateway Park Dr., Kitchener 650â€"2733 Registered trademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership. used under Hcense. © Boston Pizza international Inc 2006 Registered ademarks of Boston Pizza Royalties Limited Partnership. used under hcense © "We‘re not a violent family or anything like that," laughed Shamoon, in what would make an interesting family reunion with all the black belts and boxers in attendance. "We just love our sports." No one knows why the "0" or the "u" were dropped, but at least the pedigree has been established. And Canada has been a land of opportunity for the whole clan. The Waterloo Chronicle Team of the Week is the Minor Bantam "A" Waterloo Wolves. The Wolves finished the regular season in first place, and capped off a successful year by winning the Bristol Alliance Championship. In the final series Waterloo defeated Woodstock four games to one. Members of the Minor Bantam "A" Waterloo Wolves, pictured above, are: Dominic Caiazzo, Jordan Then there‘s Ben‘s older cousin Danny, who has made a name for himself in boxing spelling his last name Shaâ€" That‘s why Ben‘s dad George spells his last name Shamoon, while his uncle Tom, the patriarch of the wellâ€"known local martial arts Shamuon clan, spells his last name with a "u." be cautious even when doing something as simple as regisâ€" tering their birth name. TEAM OE THE WEEK _9 Exclusive retailer of fine bedroom furniture . handcrafted by presented by WWW.AMYAWNINGSIGNS.COM Schulz, Luke Rose, Brandon Bak, Dylan Douglas, Brad Hofstede, Brian Reiter, Bryan Henderson, Jason Oliver, Nolan Smith, Mac Forristal, Matt Piotrowski, Sean Kienapple, Colin Gordner, Turner Smith, Steve Palenik and Matthew D‘Agostino. Coaching the Wolves to victory were Jeff Smith, Mark Trimble, Holly Zettel, Dave Palenik and Rich Armnold.