BY SIMONE J. SMITH
He has been frequently featured on sports networks and news platforms for his expert analysis and inspirational journey. His story has been showcased in numerous articles, TV interviews, and sports documentaries. Our Classic Man is a two-time Olympian who represented Canada in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, showcasing his unparalleled talent on the world stage.
When he won the WBO Cruiserweight Championship, the prestigious title, solidified his place among boxing’s elite. On Season 4 of the show “The Contender,” he gained widespread recognition as the runner-up, and on November 23rd, 2024, for the first time ever in Canadian boxing history, our Classic Man and his cousin Egerton Marcus became the first boxers of Guyanese descent inducted together at the Canadian amateur boxing championships in Sarnia, Ontario.
Adding to his diversified portfolio, in February 2025, he will be launching his vibrant rosé reflecting the journey from championship titles to the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Crafted in collaboration with Pillitteri Estates Winery, ‘From the ring to the vineyard,’ every bottle tells a story of discipline, passion, and resilience.
Troy Amos Ross is a Canadian sports icon and celebrated athlete whose name resonates both inside and outside the boxing ring. A two-time Olympian, former WBO Cruiserweight Champion, and Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Troy’s legacy is marked by his athletic excellence, community contributions, and his passion for empowering the next generation.
“Many people know my father Charles Ross, a decorated, middleweight fighter from Guyana,” Troy shared with me during our sit-down meeting. “We moved from Guyana to Canada in 1982. My dad stayed true to the sport and created a gym in the basement. He had the heavy bag on one side, the rope across the floor, skipping ropes; my career started there.”
“As a kid who was very determined. I didn’t want to hear that I was a baby in comparison to my brothers and my cousins, so I worked even harder.”
“As a kid who was very determined. I didn’t want to hear that I was a baby in comparison to my brothers and my cousins, so I worked even harder. I remember when I was younger, I had to fight my whole classroom just because I spoke different from all the other kids. Boxing was one of those outlets that I found myself being gravitated to, and the one thing that I always strive for was to be better than anybody else. I always wanted to outdo them so that no one felt sorry for me,” Ross told Now Toronto.
“My parents worked hard and bought their own house in Brampton, and this was when Brampton was how it is now. It was not as multicultural, and all I remember seeing was fields. My first fight was at Brampton Boxing Club. I was in good shape, but the night of my first fight, I was so nervous. The bell sounded; I couldn’t move out of my spot. My opponent came over and threw punches. The fight only lasted 30 seconds. I was so upset, I remember crying. It was devastating. Mind you, I was 10 years old.” After attempting a myriad of sports from soccer to badminton, the professional boxer fell in love with boxing, eventually becoming the provincial and national champ at just 14 years old.
“The older fighters started to share their stories, and this made me feel better. ‘Don’t let this loss discourage you,’ they would tell me. So, I kept going. I competed in the Brampton Cup; for me, the tournament setting was always the best way to fight. You either fight, or not fight. I ended up winning that tournament, and that gave me all the determination I needed.”
“What really motivated me and allowed me to envision where I could go in this sport was when I watched my cousin go to the Olympics and win.”
“You’ve competed on the world stage at the Olympics. What were the most significant mental and physical challenges you faced in preparing for and competing in those games,” I asked?
“I had started at such a young age, by the time I got to the Olympics it was work. My memories bring me back to such a fun time, but a time where injuries were common. I was sparring, and I got a hairline fracture on my ribs. I got hit in the side and just breathing was hard. It becomes mind over matter at that point, especially when you are about to step into a ring. In boxing, your tools are your hands. My knuckles used to swell up, and my thumbs sprained. I had to get cortisone shots in my hands. It can be challenging, but it is rare that a boxer ever goes into a fight at 100%.”
“What were the biggest adjustments you had to make after your competitive boxing career ended?”
“The transition was not easy. When I had my team around me, things were always taken care of. When you go into the working world, you have to in many ways take care of things yourself, and for me, I had to make sure that I am pleasing the parents that I deal with. I opened up the Montesorri, and I was like, ‘Maybe I should be fighting instead of taking care of children.’ My boxing taught me discipline, and it has allowed me to keep it positive.”
Troy is deeply committed to giving back to the community and fostering the development of young athletes. Through initiatives like the Troy Ross Boxing Camp, he inspires and equips young boxers with the skills, discipline, and mindset needed to succeed not only in the ring but in life. I was curious about what lessons from the ring translated to his work with young people.
“One thing that I always share with my young fighters is, if you get knocked down, you have to get up and finish the fight. It is a mental game. You don’t want to stay down. It is just part of the sport. As a boxer, I know my strengths and my weaknesses. It is all about emotional intelligence.”
“In my travels, I have seen a lot. I know that there are kids out there that would benefit from knowing the sport, and now, I am able to give back. To be able to give back is about being able to share my knowledge with the new generation of fighters.”
“Okay, final question Troy; how do you see the Troy Ross Boxing Camp evolving in the future?”
“I see it on a much larger scale. With my team around me, we can take it to such heights. We are looking at working with children and adults who are underprivileged and need support.”
Troy Ross is more than an athlete; he is a: leader, mentor, and role model who embodies resilience, dedication, and the spirit of giving back. Whether sharing his experiences as an Olympian, discussing his vision for youth development, or crafting a rose, Troy’s work has established him as a legacy of our time.
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