(NOV 14) Canada has dispatched five of its best boxers to represent the country at the 8th AIBA World Championships commencing Sunday at the Halla Gymnasium in Jeju, South Korea.

The most notable absentee is the three times AIBA World champion, Mary Spencer whose place at 75kg goes to one of the country’s top hopes for a medal in Jeju – Ariane Fortin.

Boxing Canada’s respected P.R.O, Raquel Ruiz told WBAN : ’ The selection criteria was based on the performance of these boxers during the last calendar year as a part of the National Team’.

75kg Ariane Fortin Silver Glasgow 2014 - Photo credit: Raquel Ruiz

The five boxers and two coaches already in Jeju are : 51kg Mandy Bujold, 54kg Vicky Pelletier, 60kg Caroline Veyre, 69kg Myriam da Silva and 75kg Ariane Fortin with Danielle Bouchard and Daniel Trepanier as coaches.

Returning to the Worlds after a six year hiatus is 2X world champion Ariane Fortin, who recently claimed Silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, dropping her final bout 1-2 in favour of England’s Savannah Marshall who is also the reigning world champion.

Having watched that Fortin v Marshall bout in Glasgow, this would be a difficult one to call – should the two meet in Jeju.

Remember too that the hot favourite this time will be the London 2012 Olympic Gold medallist, Claressa Shields.

That said Marshall will do all in her power to retain that title she won in China in 2012. Probably the toughest weight of all in Jeju.

Fortin’s last appearance at the World’s was in 2008 in China where she won for the second time the 69kg Gold medal.

“I am so excited, especially to see the draw,” said Fortin, from Quebec, who after Glasgow took some time off and now has been training in Montreal full time. She didn’t participate in the Canadian Nationals because she didn’t want to take any risk before the big tournament and already qualified for the National team.

“There will be a lot of good boxers, and I am excited to start thinking about a game plan and stepping into the ring.” said Fortin.

51kg Glasgow Bronze - Mandy Bujold - photo credit:  Raquel Ruiz

Another highly experienced Canadian representative is nine times National champion, Pan American Champion and Commonwealth Bronze medallist (51 kg) Mandy Bujold.

Earlier this month, Bujold took her ninth Canadian National title in Mississauga, ON.

“I feel great. I am ready to take all the positive things I was able to do in the ring at the Nationals and use them when I get to the World Championships, ”Bujold concluded.

60kg Caroline Veyre - photo credit:  Raquel Ruiz

At the opposite end of the scale – in terms of experience - is 60kg Caroline Veyre, twice a Canadian Elite Champion. She feels very excited to be competing for the first time on such a big stage and confident of representing her country with great pride and good performances.

Unlike many others now in South Korea she has already ‘gloved off’ – and fought a gallant fight – against four times World and 2012 Olympic Gold medallist, Katie Taylor.

Veyre courageously travelled to Ireland when most others rejected the invitation and took on Taylor on her home patch.

Caroline was born in Paris but has spent the past twelve years living – and studying – in Montreal where has been boxing out of the ‘Club Boxe de l’Est’.

“I started boxing when I was 18. At the beginning, I was looking for a sport to stay in shape because I didn’t like going to the gym and working out with machines. When I started boxing, I found out that it was not just punching each other. Boxing is being smart in the ring and having good skills”.

Given a good draw in Jeju, Veyre could be a surprise medallist as she will have surely learnt much for that encounter with Taylor and amongst the absentees in Jeju is England’s Natasha Jonas albeit Chantelle Cameron is a more than able deputy.

Quebec’s Vicky Pelletier and Myriam da Silva complete this strong Canadian team and will give their all in search of an elusive World medal.

WBAN would be pleased to have ‘YOUR’ news from any National teams, P.R.O’s or individual boxers from Jeju. You can communicate with us via email: wban100@aol.com, via our Facebook pages or via Twitter: @wbanbuzz