Ronnie 'Rocket' Robidoux and Tony 'Lightning' Luis Featured in Cornwall Boxing Event

Canadian middleweight Ronnie "Rocket" Robidoux never planned to be a boxer. The 5' 7" battler started boxing in 2010 with the intention of moving into martial arts. However, after seven years after first strapping on the gloves, he is growing a reputation as a hard-hitting, smart fighter and certainly not afraid of backing down.

His mother, Angela Sunday (Akwesasne) started Ronnie in boxing with the Standing Rock Boxing Club under the tutelage of Atsiaktonkie. Even in 2012 his talent was evident.

Atsiaktonkie stated, "Ronnie is showing all that he is a step away from dominating at this level. He has impressed some of the top names in boxing and his future in boxing is exciting and being planned out by some of the best in boxing." 

And that he did, a natural left-hander, Robidoux was coached early as an orthodox-style fighter. Robidoux earned the attention of famed cutman Bob Miller, who now manages Robidoux. He splits time between working as a full time certified welder in his hometown and training at Miller's camp, both in Altona, NY as well as training in Cornwall under the guidance of Jorge Luis.

Running on commitment, dedication and a love for boxing, Robidoux starts training 6 to 8 weeks before a fight. He also spends his Fridays and Sundays in Vermont doing special physical training.

In his first fight as a pro, Robidoux pounded Greg Thomas in August of 2016 earning a TKO in the first round. Robidoux used a combination of upper cuts and "getting in close" in a Mike Tyson-style. The excitement of the win and the exhilaration of the bout made Robidoux hungry for more. Early on he was often called a "gym rat", always working on his technique. It is said, he 'can't stay out of the gym'.

As a youth living in Akwesasne, he found trouble while searching for his right path. From partying too much and brushes with the law, Robidoux took a look at himself and decided it was time to make a positive change for himself.

That's when he moved to Altona to be closer to Bob Miller, who had seen him in club fights.

Often compared to Roberto Duran, he's "never been rocked" in his career and, like Duran, got off to a slow start but is progressing rapidly. Ronnie is intensely focused on boxing and is either at work welding or in the gym preparing for his next bout.

Soft-spoken and gentle outside the ring, Jorge Luis says that Robidoux changes when he crosses that threshold onto the canvas. He says that Robidoux wants to fight all the time and work, work, work. He strives to get better with each punch and every opportunity. He lets his fists do the talking.

Robidoux stated, "I've always been passionate about boxing. I've become driven and motivated. I get an adrenaline rush when I walk out into the ring. I train and work hard in order to become great at what I do. But the training doesn't even feel like work because of the fact that it's something I love."

Tony Lightning Luis

A lot of boxers talk about facing adversity. Few can match the tribulations Tony "Lightning" Luis has seen in his 29 years. Standing five-feet, seven inches, Tony has breezed through opponents with 23 wins against only three losses in his professional career.

But it's the battle outside the ring that has positioned the Cornwall, Ontario boxer into the championship fighter Liveco Boxing sees.

As a teenager, Tony narrowly missed making the Canadian Olympic team headed for Beijing in 2007. Missing out on the Olympics put him in a funk that could have derailed his career.

After the 2007 loss because of a scoring malfunction, he wanted to back away from the sport. But his mother had given him a letter telling him not to waste his talent. Tony refocused and decided to turn pro. In May of 2008 he fought his first professional fight winning with a unanimous decision against David Aguirre of Mexico.

Five months later and following another win, Tony would lose his mother unexpectedly to a brain aneurism. Tony was scheduled to fight Mario Andrade in 11 days. Even though he was grieving, he was pulled to the ring. He knew that his mother would want him to fight. Just days after burying her, Tony beat Andrade unanimously.

And Tony would keep on winning.

Along the way he also earned his college diploma, and credits his mother with finding his career path outside of boxing.

"There's power in compassion and there's power in forgiveness. Those are probably the greatest lessons she taught me growing up," Tony says.

Luis, is going on his sixth year as a case-aid counselor, at the Ionkwanonhsasetsi Adolescent Group Home in Kawehnoke. He works daily with kids he sees reflected in his own darker days.

Luis stated, "It takes more than motivation and dedication. Loving it is not enough and neither is wanting to be successful, enough. You have to work for this. I've made this my lifestyle."

Managed by his father, Jorge, Tony and under contract a signed contract with Liveco Boxing. 'Rocket and 'Lightning' are preparing for the Cornwall boxing evening on June 17 at the Cornwall Civic Complex.