Owen Paquette was really, really hoping to squeeze in three bouts at the recent 2022 Calgary Cup National Tournament in Alberta.

Sure, a walkover on day two when Xavier Sabo (Kopas Boxing Club - Saskatoon) would make his pathway to gold that much easier - but with a major international event in Hungary less than a month away, "in ring" competition is critical to the Brantford native / locally trained (Top Glove Boxing Academy) pugilist.

"I had already prepared, did my routine and was ready to go," said Paquette, who would ultimately string together decisions over both Lucas Pashak (Olympus Boxing Club - Calgary) and Jayden Toye (Counterpunch Boxing Academy - Swift Current) to lay claim to the 63.5kg Youth Open weight class out west.

"When I heard that he didn't make weight, I was livid (Sabo was apparently over by 0.2 lb). If you take your socks and underwear off, you can make the weight."

It is clear that Paquette, who was named to the Youth National Team in April, is quickly establishing a reputation, coast to coast. That, of course, will only carry him so far. It's time in the squared circle that the 17 year old boxer needs most as he continues to run through pretty much every single combatant that he has faced.

"He was a thicker opponent, very strong," said Paquette of Pashak, his day one foe. "I felt really dominant, staying in my range and picking my shots. I was able to make him miss and come back with my combinations."

With the fight held on Friday afternoon and two more tilts still expected to come, Paquette was not about to trade blow for blow with Pashak. "I didn't take any unneeded punishment, given that I was expecting two more fights."

With his second opponent stepping aside, the rising star training under the tutelage of Gord Apolloni found himself needing to return to the proper frame of mind, a gold medal bout now less than 24 hours away.

"You're mad, but at the end of the day, you lose the experience but you make your way to the final," said Paquette. "I tried to keep loose on Saturday and refocus, get some extra sleep and use that extra energy in the finals the next day."

Battling yet another western Canadian adversary, Paquette compared Toye to Pashak. "They had a similar style, but he (Toye) was better on his feet and faster," he said. "He was fresh as well with two byes to the final; he was a decent fighter."

"I stuck to my plan, kept my range, fought my fight and got the victory."

Winning by unanimous decision in both of his tussles, Paquette noted that things could have been worse. "I was kind of glad I got the bad end of the draw," he said. "As long as I was winning, I get the experience and get a good warm-up tournament to go to Hungary in a week or two."

A member of the Canadian delegation registered for the 71st Gergely Bornemissza Youth & Junior Memorial Tournament (June 6th to the 12th), Paquette is thrilled with the opportunity but trying not to let the pressure of his recent success affect his in the ring performances.

"You definitely have to perform and show that you are the best, but you try and come in with the underdog mentality and keep the perspective that you are fighting for something, that no one is taking your spot," he said.

"You have that national team persona, 100%, but you go in not worrying about the extra pressure that other people might think you have."

In Montreal for a pre-trip training camp beginning this week, Paquette is looking forward to the task at hand.

"It's all about building that international style and staying consistent, " he said. "Keep working on the little things to get better and being completely comfortable in that ring."