By Mitch Bach

Herter fighting for a second chance

Feb 2, 2017 | 4:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Before strapping on the gloves, Corwin Herter wraps his hands up the exact same way, every time.

Right hand first, folding each piece of fabric over-top of each other with a lulling focus, followed by a similar pattern on his left hand.

It’s a process every boxer goes through before throwing punches. A requirement intended to keep injuries from occurring.

It’s just another day at the Medicine Hat Boxing Club for the Herter, but four years ago, he nearly lost the freedom of practicing the sport he loves.

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“It’s tough to say this, but I kind of lost my path there,” said the 28-year-old. “Things kind of took a turn and being someone who’s not used to being in that situation and being a trouble maker… well, I kinda got in trouble.”

Herter doesn’t like talking about facing what could have been a five-year jail sentence. Herter says he was involved with “the wrong crowd” and learned his lesson quickly.

“That’s how it goes. You break the law, you make a mistake and you can either learn from it, or continue making the same mistake and keep going down that same path. I simply just chose to be better,” he said. “I wanted to prove to everyone that what I did was a mistake and that it made me a better person, and hopefully I can choose to make other people better in the process.”

Herter used boxing as a way to become a better person. Not only did it get him away from the negetivity surrounding his life during a darkened time, but it also relieved any stress build-up as well. From the moment he began training, things started turning around. 

In just two years, Herter became one of the best heavyweight boxers in the province. He quaified for the 2015 Canadian Boxing Championships, but turned down the opportunity.

Friday night, he gets a second chance at representing Team Alberta. He’ll take the ring against Cochrane’s Usama Khan in the 13th Annual Nieman-Page Memorial at the Southside Events Centre.

“This is huge,” said Herter, smiling. “I feel like this is my second chance to get to go. I really want to get in there, give it my all, and hope for the best. Hopefully I can take him out.”

Herter is hoping for a different result compared to the last time he fought Khan. They tapped gloves last month in the Alberta Boxing Championships in Grande Prairie. His opponent won by decision.

Whoever wins on Friday is given the final ticket to the National Championship.

When we asked Herter to predict the outcome, he gave his answer with a confident smile.

“I’m gonna say…. he’s gonna fall into the big right hand,” he laughed. “And you’ll see him go night-night. First round knock-out.”

But, of course, it all begins with wrapping up his hands, and paying tribute to his friends and family for believing in him over the past four years.