FAIRFIELD, Maine — From the basketball court to the boxing ring, Mainers have supported home-grown sports stars for decades.
Corey Commeau, 14, of Guilford is looking to become the state's next big name in the sport of boxing.
On Saturday, he fought in the Northeast Regional Silver Gloves Championships in Albany, New York, after winning a belt against a 15-year-old in the New England Silver Gloves super heavyweight division last month in Massachusetts.
“You get very nervous, and when that first punch hits you, it just comes natural. After the first few punches, you’re just calm," he said.
Commeau's introduction to "organized" boxing can be credited to his mom, who brought him to a gym to keep him out of trouble. Those were his words.
The two make the hourlong drive to Rolfe Boxing Club in Fairfield three times a week for training with Justin Rolfe.
“I don’t think people realize how great this sport is," Rolfe said. "I’ve watched it change people’s lives. It’s changed my own life.”
Commeau is in a great spot, learning from an accomplished boxer in Rolfe, who learned from legendary Maine boxers and trainers like Joey Gamache Sr., Danny Ferris, and more.
In his fighting days, Rolfe won multiple amateur Golden Gloves titles and fought as a professional. His last bout was in Las Vegas, fighting in the same ring as Manny Pacquiao.
So, Rolfe knows the sport and knows how to train future champions. His students, like Commeau, have already added their own title belts to their collections.
The "Maine Tough" mantra is on full display in Rolfe's gym. Instead of fancy equipment, his backyard gym is run by a generator and offers little protection from the cold. But, he said, that's part of the plan.
“We train in the cold. Training doesn’t stop," he said. “Anything you can do to make yourself comfortable in an uncomfortable atmosphere will help you with boxing.”
Even during a chilly January night, Commeau said the cold doesn't bother him, in fact, he likes it.
Watching the kid from Piscataquis County work the heavy bag, it's easy to tell he has the size and the commitment to excel in boxing.
“He’s not just big for his age, he listens. I mean, that’s huge," Rolfe said. "It’s unteachable to have discipline like that.”
Commeau is always listening to his mentor and works on his craft when he's not in the gym. His discipline and willingness to learn came in handy this weekend as Commeau fought a "southpaw," someone who has a dominate left hand, and needed to take a totally new approach into the ring.
He doesn't even have a driver's license, but Commeau has his sights set on becoming a world champion, and Rolfe said he can do whatever he puts his mind to. The seasoned boxer even called the 14-year-old a "prodigy."
The high school student already has a taste of the championship lifestyle, but he said he loves the routine of his workouts and training.
“It’s pretty fun, honestly. Sparring with [Justin] is pretty fun," Commeau said. “It’s a lot to take in, but you get it eventually. Once you start doing it, and it just comes natural.”
Ahead of his Saturday fight, Commeau said he loves proving people wrong, and letting them know Maine is serious about boxing.
Rolfe said the support his pupil has from Maine's boxing legends, his family, and his community can make all the difference in a fight.
While Commeau lost in a judge's decision Saturday, Rolfe said he was invited to a tournament in New York this summer and the two will be back in the gym right away to get ready.