OXFORD– Jonathan Heggie has been spotlighted by the Evening Sun for his work as an amateur athlete competing in non high school related sporting events while also maintaining his high school athletic career.
Jonathan is a 16-year old amateur boxer hailing from Oxford New York. Jonathan's father and mother, Peter and Cathie recently shared some successes of their youngest son. Once you peer deeper into the situation however, it becomes even more impressive for a 16-year old.
Jonathan has learned to manage his time incredibly well at such a young age. As far as high school sports go he participates in Football, Basketball(last season), Baseball, as well as boys Volleyball. As this slate of sporting events along with the training and commitment to be an amateur boxer is already seeming a daunting task. Jonathan boast a resume that includes a constant flow of honor role grades as well as being a member of the National Honor Society.
“I am always doing something; I get home at like 8 o’clock every night,” said Jonathan.
So after a long day of dealing and managing all his activities, boxing seems to act as a getaway, something that most likely has encouraged and helped the success come, as Jonathan enjoys to box.
“My father was a pro-boxer out of the same gym as I am, boxing is something I always wanted to get into. We always watched boxing at home all the time,” said Jonathan. “I am good at it and it’s a release. Its fun. You always have to push yourself. Training is a lot harder and longer, I have to to be in a lot better shape for boxing than anything else.”
Currently at 16-years old and still a full participant in high school academics and sports, Jonathan most recently on Feb. 13, became 5-0 in his amateur record.
This fifth win came by technical knock out when Jonathan admittedly landed a hard body shot.
“I made the kid quit, I took his heart, that was a good feeling. I hit him with a hard body shot and he just couldn’t handle it so in between the second and third round he quit. I'm dominating, but the competition is getting tougher and tougher” said Jonathan.
This boxing match took place at the Rochester Fight Factory in Rochester, New York. Jonathan defeated Miquel Clements out of MBC Rochester Boxing club at a weight class of 156-pounds.
Jonathan generally fights at around 150-pounds and is matched up against opponents by his coach.
Jonathan trains at the Norwich YMCA on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays while traveling to Syracuse on Tuesday and Thursdays with his father Peter to spar at the Syracuse West Area Athletic & Education Center on Geddes Street, Syracuse.
Jonathan boasts his 5-0 record currently under his current coaches and trainers: Peter Heggie (Dad) and Chris Burns. Burns is the current boxing head coach/trainer out of Syracuse West Area Athletic & Education Center. Ray Rinaldi is the Executive Director of the NAA-EC.
Prior to the fifth dominating TKO recently in February Jonathan had been busy securing his third and fourth wins, both by unanimous decision.
Fourth win came at 154-pounds on Jan. 23, by unanimous decision in Syracuse, against Chris Williams at 159-pounds from St. Martin’s Boxing Club in Rochester.
The third win came when Jonathan was just 15-years old at 152-pounds by unanimous decision last August 2015, at Cattaraugus Community Center, Seneca Nation of Indians Territory in Irving against Shawn Lewis out of St. Martin’s Boxing Club, Rochester.
As Jonathan is only currently a junior in high school, future plans have not been set. However, Jonathan did share a very high interest in continuing his boxing career after graduation. Jonathan also shared and expressed his interest in attended a few New York State colleges, as well as a possibility of joining the Armed Forces.
As just a junior at Oxford, Jonathan now has a whole career ahead of him and an undefeated record to defend.