TEAM TEOFISTA

HEAD COACH

Eric de Guzman – Head Coach

Eric de Guzman

Guzman is the head coach for Team Teofista’s amateur and professional boxing program as well as the head coach for many of Calgary top prospects. Eric holds a professional trainer’s license in the state of Arizona, Nevada, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Edmonton. Eric has been training boxers since 2002 and has a stable of well over 30 amateurs and professional boxers and MMA fighters. Eric also has experience working with MMA fighters who have gone onto shows in the UFC. Eric trains, manages and promotes boxers throughout Canada. Aside from boxing, Eric specializes in athlete cross training, training hockey players like, Duncan Keith, Hayley Wickenheiser, Mike Moore, Cody Almond and many more.

Eric started his Boxing career at Fitness NW, while he was training for his hockey career. Eric enjoyed teaching and training within boxing. Eric’s first boxer was Lee Milne. This one person turned into a group of four 13 year old kids training regularly four times a week. This group of little kids brought the attraction of how hard boxers train and soon started attracting adults.

COACHES

 

 

Roxie Lam – Coach

Roxie founded the Saturday am sparring day and has been a long time member. Roxie started in the amateurs and recently fought for the professional Canadian featherweight title, showing anything can be done at any age. Roxie started boxing at the age of 29 and is now into his 40’s.

Roxie Lam’s thoughts on boxing:

Boxing is a reflection of ur soul. The good bad and the ugly. He shows u all ur flaws all ur strengths. If ur willing to look. If ur willing to see. 15 years and fighting. When U lose u learn. Everyone knows that. What He taught me that’s even more important is what winning teaches u. “Any man can endure hardship but if u wanna really test a man, give him success.

Boxing. The perfect metaphor for life.

Thank you God. Thankyou Teofista. Turning the page. Next chapter. One step closer to……..God only knows.

 

 

 

 

Mike Smallwood – Coach

In Coach Mike’s previous career he worked as a counselor for at-risk youth after finishing a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology.  He ultimately discovered that he was able to achieve his goals with youth more effectively as a coach.  Coach Mike uses boxing to teach lessons focused on independence and resiliency.  Coach Mike focuses on building character and on the value of overcoming adversity.  Coach Mike has been around combat sports for a long time!  He competed internationally as a Muay Thai fighter for several years before becoming a professional boxer who compiled a record of 8-1.  Coach Mike loves training people of all ages and all skill levels and is always excited to train new students!