Custio Clayton’s Hopes of Commonwealth Games Medal Alive

Custio Clayton, the 2012 Olympic welterweight continued his journey for gold in the 69-kilogram weight-class at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Clayton began strongly on July 25th with a 3-0 win over Jonathan Francois of Grenada and spoke of his eagerness.

“I felt really good… no, I felt great,” said Clayton. “I’m eager to get in the ring next Monday.”

The City of Lakes Boxing Club in Dartmouth Nova Scotia boxer has been honest about his previous disappointment at the 2012 London Olympics. At the 2012 Olympics, Clayton lost to the host nation’s Fred Evans in the Olympic quarter-finals in London; controversy ensued. In London many felt that Clayton had appeared to win after fighting strongly after a slower start. But the judges did not score in Clayton’s favour on a tie-breaking countback and awarded the win to the Great Britain fighter.

When asked if a Commonwealth Games medal would ease the sting of London, Clayton is focused.

“I mean, right now, I’m not even focused on that, I’m just taking it one step at a time,” said Clayton directly following today’s fight. “Right now, I have to look at my next opponent and see what’s going to happen next. I’m just taking it one step at a time right now.”

Fighting today to make it into the quarter finals, Clayton fought against Carl Heild of Bahamas. Clayton looked strong and won the bout 3 rounds to 0. Clayton talked about his plans for the next couple days.

“I’m going to study my next opponent and have a game plan coming in and bank that and move on to the next.”

What made the difference today according to Clayton is staying focused.

 “Just being me, being relaxed and doing what I had to do, that’s all.”

Also fighting today from Nova Scotia, Brody Robert Blair, from New Glasgow fought against Benny Muziyo from Zambia. Unfortunately after the second fight in a row for Blair to be called for a cut, and this time a TKO, the bout was awarded to the Zambian boxer.

Clayton will fight again July 30, 2014. Ariane Fortin boxes tomorrow.