The Return of a Long-Lost Honour: Celebrating Courage in the Ring
Back in 2002, a group of Boxing Canada officials came together with a special purpose — to recognize the kind of heart that doesn’t always show up on the final results. From that vision, the Most Courageous Boxer Award was born. The first and only recipient at the time was Angie Collins, honoured for her gritty performance at the 2002 Canadian National Championships in St. Catharines.
Angie had stepped into the ring against the formidable Jeannine Garside in the finals of the W57kg division. Though officials made the tough call to retire her in the second round, Angie’s bravery and tenacity left a lasting impression — enough to inspire the creation of an award. And then, mysteriously, the award vanished from sight and memory.
Fast-forward 23 years. During the recent relocation of Boxing Canada’s national office, staff unearthed a forgotten plaque, buried beneath a stack of old membership records — the original Most Courageous Boxer Award, waiting to be remembered.
At the 2025 U17/U19/U23 National Championships in Quebec City (May 28 – June 1), the plaque was officially revived. For the first time in over two decades, officials were given the opportunity to honour a new recipient — and after much deliberation, they returned with not one, but two athletes whose performances were equally deserving of this prestigious recognition.
Stevni Jabbor (QC) – U19 W57kg
Stevni kicked off her tournament with a solid win over Audrey Ross (NS), followed by an unfortunate walkover on Day 2. Though disappointed to miss the chance to compete again, she remained focused for her final bout against Alberta’s Emily Vigneault. In a thrilling, hard-fought match, Stevni earned a Silver medal and left everything in the ring — courage on full display from start to finish.
Nate Vosser (AB) – U19 M60kg
Nate opened his campaign with a narrow 4:1 decision victory over provincial teammate Oliver McKluskie, showing early signs of grit and focus. He followed that with a commanding 5:0 win against Noah St. Pierre (QC) in the semis. In the gold medal bout, he battled Ontario’s Mantej Gill with determination and heart, ultimately taking home a Silver medal after a valiant effort that had the officials talking.
We extend our deepest thanks to the officials who revived this award and recognized these two remarkable athletes. Their performances reminded us all that the true spirit of boxing isn’t only about medals — it’s about heart, perseverance, and the courage to rise to every challenge.
A Legacy of Courage
From Angie Collins in 2002, to Stevni Jabbor and Nate Vosser in 2025, this award has always symbolized something greater than victory — it’s about showing up with passion, humility, and fearless determination. The Most Courageous Boxer award will now have three names. It will be brought to each National Championship for display, reflection, and inspiration!
To every boxer who steps into the ring — you are the heartbeat of this sport. But today, we shine a spotlight on Stevni and Nate, whose resilience and bravery left a lasting impact on their teams, coaches, the officials, and everyone who witnessed their journeys.
[If anyone has contact information for Angie Collins, please reach out to Boxing Canada — we would love to reconnect and hear her story from the 2002 Nationals in St. Catharines.]