On the eve of Justin Trudeau's boxing match with Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau, the Liberal MP has lost his grandmother.
Kathleen Sinclair, Trudeau's grandmother on his mother's side, passed away Thursday in a nursing home at age 92, according to Postmedia.
The fight will continue as planned. "It won't change anything," Trudeau assistant Tommy Desfosses told The National Post.
Trudeau tweeted "Thanks for all the kind thoughts. At 92, Gramma's mind was still strong, but her body slowly shut down. She loved, and was loved, immensely."
@justinpjtrudeau
Brazeau sent condolences to Trudeau and his family on Twitter, to which Justin responded, "Thanks Pat. You couldn't sleep in either? Both of us totally excited for tonight, we're going to have fun, for a great cause."
@justinpjtrudeau
The charity fight for cancer will take place at the Hampton Inn Convention Centre tonight in Ottawa, but you can catch the battle live on the Sun News Network.
Early speculation had second degree karate black belt Brazeau as the favourite, but Trudeau's reach advantage and boxing experience have been shifting expectations, with many predicting a win for the lanky Liberal on points.
That length advantage was the subject of trash talk at the weigh-in in Ottawa on Wednesday, with a speedo-clad Brazeau looking down as his shorts when questioned about Trudeau's longer arms. "I've got a lot of length over here," said Brazeau.
If Trudeau does triumph over his brawnier opponent, he won't just be winning glory. The loser of the fight is set to be humiliated on Monday in the foyer of the House of Commons with a hair cut. Both men sport long locks.
The loser will also be forced to wear a jersey for the opponent's political party for a week.
But those concerns aren't likely to be in the forefront of Trudeau's mind on Saturday night. The MP sent this philosophical tweet this morning: "Beautiful, quiet day for me. As a canoeist: it's deeply calming and meaningful to just watch the rush and flow of the mighty Ottawa River."
@justinpjtrudeau
Both Trudeau and Brazeau have lost a parent to cancer and it seems family, and the importance of enjoying time with them, is in the thoughts of both fighters today.
Let the best man win.
Brazeau says Trudeau didn't get him down. Gets booed.
He's still very out of breath, but asks for a rematch next year.
Brazeau has a big welt under his eye. Even Ezra Levant is drinking the Kool Aid.
Trudeau: "I can take a hard hit and he didn't realize that."
"Everyone's a winner here tonight"
He was beating up on Brazeau when the ref called it.
On Twitter: @AdamScotti - he's with Trudeau
| @ AdamScotti : Here is the last photo before we go in #fftc #cdnpoli #fftc2012 @kady @ingridrkonopka @justinpjtrudeau http://t.co/ko0e6ZNh |
| @ DPinxton : #FFTC I think Justin Trudeau wants Liberal voters to get a good look at Sun News Network. It's a wake-up call. |
Looks like #sunfight isn't really catching on. #fftc is pretty active though.
| @ ezralevant : The real Shiny Pony actually let me touch his hair! RT @SamEskenasi: @ezralevant. Love the Tux, give the shinypony a comb for me! #SunFight |
| @ laura_payton : Jessie Wilcox won the last bout against Henry Lopez. Andy Gardiner taking on Orville Bailey in last bout before the big ticket. #fftc |
If you want some background before the fight, you can check out all of HuffPost's stories on the bout here.
| @ SophieAnneB : Having flashbacks of #ndpldr vote MT @kady more like 11ish (EDT) for Brazeau vs. Trudeau. I'll give you all a warning, I promise. #fftc |
| @ deaniew : The best part of this show so far is @brianlilley's hair. I'm so mesmerized by it! #fftc #cdnpoli |
| @ KristenEverson : There are Liberals/ Trudeau supporters in the far corner, however. But they're out numbered. #fftc |
National Post's Michael Den Tandt argues that even if Trudeau loses, which he thinks he will, the Liberal MP will come out ahead politically.
| @ sfontaine_ : I feel bad for anyone that has watched the entire pre-fight. Flipped over from hockey for a minute and it's painful. #fftc #SunFight |
| @ NPsteve : I have heard that, while Harper is not here, he "is watching." which sounds a little terrifying. #FFTC |
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The Huffington Post Canada | By Michael Bolen Posted: 03/31/2012 1:52 pm Updated: 03/31/2012 9:31 pm