Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
THE ROAD TO THE OLYMPICS and BEYOND THE FINAL BELL
THE STORY OF BOXERS IN THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS:
By Brian Zelley
(photo: taken at the 1984 Training
site for the Canadian Olympic
boxing team.)
Introduction
The story of the 2012 Olympic
boxing in London will be the
story of boxers, coaches and
officials.
This story will focus on the
story of some boxers from
various locations in two parts.
The first part will be about their journey to the Olympic Games
and the second part will cover their performance at the Games
from the beginning to beyond the final bell.
THE JOURNEY TO THE GAMES
(Canadian champions in 2011)
THE BOXERS:
LUKE CAMPBELL: England
The journey of boxer
Luke Campbell has
been an interesting
journey from the
time he first stepped
into the boxing gym
in Hull, England to
the process of winning
his way into
the 2012 Olympic Games in his own National
along with other members of Team Great Britain:
Andrew Selby, Anthony Ogogo, Fred Evans,
Josh Taylor, Natasha Jonas, Nicola Adams
and Savannah Marshall.
THE CANADIANS: CUSTIO CLAYTON and SIMON KEAN
Simon and Custio are two of our Boxing Canada A-Team members
who have experience and the talent to have achieved this moment to participate in London.
Custio is from Nova Scotia and Simon from Quebec and
have been team members for the current and past years.
For Team Canada in the past several years there has
been a high team spirit.
Custio with team mates
Brody Blair and Kenny Lally
\
JOSE RAMIREZ - United States lightweight
Jose qualified at the Americas
tournament in Brazil which
included a victory over
Canada's Alex Rynn.
His Boxing USA Team mates:
Ram'shee Warren, Joseph Diaz Jr.,
Jamel Herring, Errol Spence,
Terrell Gausha, Marcus Browne,
Michael Hunter Jr., Dominic Breazeale.
and Claressa Shields.
**JOSH TAYLOR - Team Great Britain, Scotland ==
Looking back to 2010, Josh Taylor was a silver medalist in the
lightweight division of the Commonwealth Games
One of his wins in the pre-finals was a
victory over a welsh boxer before meeting England's
Thomas Stalker in the finals in Delhi.
But, to understand Taylor, we must travel back to where
it all began. He began boxing in about 2006 at the
Lochend boxing club mainly under the direction of
coach Terry McCormack. By 2008, he was competing in
the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games and earned a
bronze medal.
A HISTORICAL MOMENT - WOMENS' BOXING
*Very very pleased that England's SAVANNAH MARSHALL
has accepted the invitation to be one of the boxers profiled.
if possible, I would like another woman boxer or another two.
**Savannah Marshall, Team Great Britain, Hartlepool
(photo from GB Boxing site, Team England's women boxers)
***The recent headlines in the Guardian blazed across the screen
with the words:
"Savannah Marshall wins
Britain's first ever women's boxing world title"
But her position in the Games was secured with an earlier victory.
Despite all the press, Savannah is not letting the press coverage
and the achievements to-date make her drop her guard
in the quest for Olympic glory.
For the real story we must take it back to where it all began.
In was about 2003 when a young teenage girl walked
into the gym to be faced by coach Tim Coulter who admits
that he was not high on the idea of women's boxing,
but it did not take long for Tim to be sold on the idea.
But, back in 2003, who would have guessed that there
would be women's boxing in the Olympic Games, and
who would have guessed one of the pioneers for this
historical moment would be that once teenage novice
with determination and drive, and a cool attitude as not
to be swept-up and drowned by the a flood of publicity
and praise over the years.***
If "Cool, Calm and Control", Savannah Marshall
has the right tools to go all the way. But, I'm sure
that nobody in Team Great Britain or the many
supporters in Hartlepool will be "counting the chickens
before they are hatched". So, it will be steady training
to achieve the optimum level of physical, mental and
emotional balance to be the best that she can be for
a moment in time and that moment is London 2012.
MARY SPENCER - Canada
*For Canadian multi-term Champion Mary Spencer, the waiting
ends, the Olypmic watch begins after the Wild card played out.
THE TREASURE CHEST OF GOLDEN MEMORIES:
*This section of the story before the games will include
quotes and comments from the boxers or any others that
may have a positive memory of any of the boxers listed. and
good wishes for their journey to-date and their performances
in the Games:
**Words of praise from Canada's Dave Hutchinson**
Dave adds a touch of the past to the here and now and the journey
== brian zelley's buzz ==
*over the years it has been great to follow the performance of our Canadian boxers and the achievemnts of some of our boxers of other Nations such as Luke Campbell and Josh Taylor. For Jose Ramirez, he has been very active over the years, but his recent performance in Brazil was excellent including his bout with Canada's Alex Torres Rynn who is a member of Boxing Canada's A Team. For the Canadian boxers and the many others from around the globe thank you for your dedication, determination and drive. And, may you all complete this journey with pride regardless of the final standing.
and, then there is Savannah Marshall, who has a very interesting story from back where it all began.
*Claressa Shields, Team USA**
in the Detroit Free Press: (in a telephone call
to her coach Jason Crutchfield:
"Coach I made the Olympics! I made the Olympics!"
*Mary Kom, India: "I will be the only Indian woman boxer
at Olympics. I will be part of history and that really means
a lot to me...:" Mary will be in the same division as
Team Great Britain's Nicola Adams. (Mid Day sports).
*Katie Taylor, Ireland: "I'm delighted to go to the Olympics
and hopefully I'll come home with a gold medal for my country.
*Custio Clayton (as reported by Joanne Oostveen in the
article titled: "Dartmouth boxer heading to Olympics"
in the Halifax News Net):
"I played other sports, but could not get boxing out of my mind.
By the time I had my first fight, I knew I was hooked."
*McGrory's gym on Mary Spencer:
"Mary's an Ambassador of Boxing for the Youth all over Canada."
Published on the Boxing_Canada site
Luke Campbell as quoted: "The Telegraph",
2012 Olympic coverage:
*"I've put everyday life on hold for boxing". Luke Campbell
Kenny Lally, Canadian champion and A-Team member:
"Good luck to my boy Simon "Killer" Kean who fights
France today in his first bout at the Olympics."
PADDY BARNES of IRELAND
*Paddy Barnes has been an outstanding boxer for Ireland
in recent years. He has also been one of the top ten boxers
in his division for many years. in recent ratings he was dropped
thus putting at a disadvantage in the draws at the Olympics.
It is hoped that this disadvantage will not ruin his changes in London.
THE WAITING GAME: IT'S OVER
For Canadian boxer MARY SPENCER it has been a waiting game.
The door to the Olympics is closing fast with the only key left is the
wild card possibility where a few boxers that had been eliminated will
get the gift of a lifetime and be selected by the Olympic committee.
THE TRAINING GAME and THE SUPPORT:
*Prior to the trip to London, Canadian boxers Custio Clayton and
Simon Kean will be heading to Ireland for the last training camp.
Sports reporter Monte Mosher of "The Chronicle Herald" is staying
in-tune with the ongoing story.
*USA boxer Jose Ramirez recently had an Olympic send-off event:
PRE-OLYMPIC COVERAGE: THE RING magazine, August 2012
*From out select list of boxers, JOSE RAMIREZ in one of the USA
boxers on the cover of the magazine and also featured in the
Olympic preview of Team USA from super heavyweight Dominic Breazeale
to flyweight Rau'shee Warren.
Team Great Britian is also profiled including:
Josh Taylor (Scotland) and Luke Campbell (England, the profiles also
includes the two Welsh boxers Fred Evans and Andrew Selby.
OLYMPIC ACTION: The Glory and the Pain
== THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS ==
**from the opening bell to the end of the action, this is their Olympic story**
SCHEDULE:
First day of action: July 28th. Men's Bantamweights and Middleweights
*The bantamweight profiled in this story is England's LUKE CAMPBELL.
One of the other bantamweights is JOSEPH DIAZ jr. of Team USA.
Second day of action July 29th. Men's Lightweight and Welterweight
*The two lightweights being followed in this story are:
Jose Ramirez of California, USA and Scotland's Josh Taylor.
Alternative Training Facilities for the Canadians:
*An interesting story by Steve Buffrey relates to the
alternative training facilities in London. It seems,
Clayton, Kean and Spencer have been training at
Rooney's Gym in London rather that the Olympic training site.
GOLD MEDAL PREDICTIONS:
*of all the boxers listed, the one expected to win a gold medal is
England's SAVANNAH MARSHALL. A year ago, Canada's
MARY SPENCER was a heavy choice for a medal, but recent
activity has reduced the odds for her medal success, but it she
gets back her 2011 form then there is the potential for gold.
The best choice for a medal of the men boxers would have
to be LUKE CAMPBELL of England, but it may not be gold
or silver. For the rest, much will depend on the draws for each
boxer in their preliminary bouts.
The Olympic Road for SIMON KEANE
*Simon wins his first bout. Although it was close on the scoring cards, Simon still took charge and dominatred two of the three rounds.
So Simon will move forward with hopes of moving into medal contention.
The Olympic Road for CUSTIO CLAYTON:
Custio's first bout will
be a tough bout against Oscar Molina of Mexico.
Good news for Canada with
a victory by Clayton in the
first boxing victory since the
2004 Olympic Games. Now,
Canadian boxing can move
forward,
*In the quarter finals, Clayton faced Freddie Evans
of Team Great Britain.Evans won round one by a big margin,
but in round two, Clayton roared back to win the round and
move close to the combined score of Evans. So,
it would all come down to the third round and controversy
regarding whether the referee should of deducted a point
for a number of cautions. This proved to be the key issue
with Canadian fans when the bout ended in
a tie and on the count back, Evans was awarded the bout
and moves into the medal round. But, for Canadians, Custio
would be praised for his fine effort and achievements and
will long be remembered and is credited for bringing
pride back to Canadian Amateur Boxing's Olympic Games history.
The Olympic Road for PADDY BARNES
*Paddy with two victories has earned a place into the medal
round and will compete in the semi-finals.
The Olympic Road for LUKE CAMPBELL
In the prelim round on Saturday for bantamweight action, Luke
received a bye and is expected to see action on August 1st.
*(Luke won his first bout and then
followed that up with another victory, and looks like a medal winner.
The Olympic boxing journey of Josh Taylor
Josh would win his first
bout, but on August 2nd.
the long journey would
come to and end.
The Olympic Boxing Road for JOSE RAMIREZ
*member of
King's Boxing Club,
Avenal, California,
The club's web site is:
http://www.avenalboxing.com/
Both lightweights will see action on Sunday.
In a closely scored bout, RAMIREZ scores the win and moves
one step closer to the medal round.
*The race for a medal for Jose Ramirez came to an end
on August 2nd. when he dropped a decsion.
THE OLYMPIC BOXING JOURNEY of SAVANNAH MARSHALL
*Recently, Savannah was a recipient of a special award in Sheffield.
THE OLYMPIC BOXING JOURNEY of MARY SPENCER
*the first Canadian woman
to be an Olympic boxer.
*Savannah and Mary's active 2012 Olympic journey has come to
an end with losses in their first bouts. Both, at one time, were
expected to medal based on past performances, but the past is no
guarantee of any future results.
LUKE CAMPBELL, THE LAST MAN STANDING:
Luke Campbell has punched his ticket in the semi-finals
to go for gold in the bantamweight division on Friday August 11th
***** Luke Campbell (England) vs John Joe Nevin (Ireland)*****
THE FINAL STORY AFTER THE FINAL BELL:
By Brian Zelley
(photo: taken at the 1984 Training
site for the Canadian Olympic
boxing team.)
The story of the 2012 Olympic
boxing in London will be the
story of boxers, coaches and
officials.
This story will focus on the
story of some boxers from
various locations in two parts.
The first part will be about their journey to the Olympic Games
and the second part will cover their performance at the Games
from the beginning to beyond the final bell.
THE JOURNEY TO THE GAMES
THE BOXERS:
LUKE CAMPBELL: England
Luke Campbell has
been an interesting
journey from the
time he first stepped
into the boxing gym
in Hull, England to
the process of winning
his way into
the 2012 Olympic Games in his own National
along with other members of Team Great Britain:
Andrew Selby, Anthony Ogogo, Fred Evans,
Josh Taylor, Natasha Jonas, Nicola Adams
and Savannah Marshall.
THE CANADIANS: CUSTIO CLAYTON and SIMON KEAN
Simon and Custio are two of our Boxing Canada A-Team members
who have experience and the talent to have achieved this moment to participate in London.
Custio is from Nova Scotia and Simon from Quebec and
have been team members for the current and past years.
For Team Canada in the past several years there has
been a high team spirit.
Custio with team mates
Brody Blair and Kenny Lally
\
JOSE RAMIREZ - United States lightweight
Jose qualified at the Americas
tournament in Brazil which
included a victory over
Canada's Alex Rynn.
His Boxing USA Team mates:
Ram'shee Warren, Joseph Diaz Jr.,
Jamel Herring, Errol Spence,
Terrell Gausha, Marcus Browne,
Michael Hunter Jr., Dominic Breazeale.
and Claressa Shields.
**JOSH TAYLOR - Team Great Britain, Scotland ==
Looking back to 2010, Josh Taylor was a silver medalist in the
lightweight division of the Commonwealth Games
One of his wins in the pre-finals was a
victory over a welsh boxer before meeting England's
Thomas Stalker in the finals in Delhi.
But, to understand Taylor, we must travel back to where
it all began. He began boxing in about 2006 at the
Lochend boxing club mainly under the direction of
coach Terry McCormack. By 2008, he was competing in
the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games and earned a
bronze medal.
A HISTORICAL MOMENT - WOMENS' BOXING
*Very very pleased that England's SAVANNAH MARSHALL
has accepted the invitation to be one of the boxers profiled.
if possible, I would like another woman boxer or another two.
**Savannah Marshall, Team Great Britain, Hartlepool
***The recent headlines in the Guardian blazed across the screen
with the words:
"Savannah Marshall wins
Britain's first ever women's boxing world title"
But her position in the Games was secured with an earlier victory.
Despite all the press, Savannah is not letting the press coverage
and the achievements to-date make her drop her guard
in the quest for Olympic glory.
For the real story we must take it back to where it all began.
In was about 2003 when a young teenage girl walked
into the gym to be faced by coach Tim Coulter who admits
that he was not high on the idea of women's boxing,
but it did not take long for Tim to be sold on the idea.
But, back in 2003, who would have guessed that there
would be women's boxing in the Olympic Games, and
who would have guessed one of the pioneers for this
historical moment would be that once teenage novice
with determination and drive, and a cool attitude as not
to be swept-up and drowned by the a flood of publicity
and praise over the years.***
If "Cool, Calm and Control", Savannah Marshall
has the right tools to go all the way. But, I'm sure
that nobody in Team Great Britain or the many
supporters in Hartlepool will be "counting the chickens
before they are hatched". So, it will be steady training
to achieve the optimum level of physical, mental and
emotional balance to be the best that she can be for
a moment in time and that moment is London 2012.
MARY SPENCER - Canada
*For Canadian multi-term Champion Mary Spencer, the waiting
ends, the Olypmic watch begins after the Wild card played out.
THE TREASURE CHEST OF GOLDEN MEMORIES:
*This section of the story before the games will include
quotes and comments from the boxers or any others that
may have a positive memory of any of the boxers listed. and
good wishes for their journey to-date and their performances
in the Games:
**Words of praise from Canada's Dave Hutchinson**
Dave adds a touch of the past to the here and now and the journey
== brian zelley's buzz ==
*over the years it has been great to follow the performance of our Canadian boxers and the achievemnts of some of our boxers of other Nations such as Luke Campbell and Josh Taylor. For Jose Ramirez, he has been very active over the years, but his recent performance in Brazil was excellent including his bout with Canada's Alex Torres Rynn who is a member of Boxing Canada's A Team. For the Canadian boxers and the many others from around the globe thank you for your dedication, determination and drive. And, may you all complete this journey with pride regardless of the final standing.
and, then there is Savannah Marshall, who has a very interesting story from back where it all began.
*Claressa Shields, Team USA**
in the Detroit Free Press: (in a telephone call
to her coach Jason Crutchfield:
"Coach I made the Olympics! I made the Olympics!"
*Mary Kom, India: "I will be the only Indian woman boxer
at Olympics. I will be part of history and that really means
a lot to me...:" Mary will be in the same division as
Team Great Britain's Nicola Adams. (Mid Day sports).
*Katie Taylor, Ireland: "I'm delighted to go to the Olympics
and hopefully I'll come home with a gold medal for my country.
*Custio Clayton (as reported by Joanne Oostveen in the
article titled: "Dartmouth boxer heading to Olympics"
in the Halifax News Net):
"I played other sports, but could not get boxing out of my mind.
By the time I had my first fight, I knew I was hooked."
*McGrory's gym on Mary Spencer:
"Mary's an Ambassador of Boxing for the Youth all over Canada."
Published on the Boxing_Canada site
Luke Campbell as quoted: "The Telegraph",
2012 Olympic coverage:
*"I've put everyday life on hold for boxing". Luke Campbell
Kenny Lally, Canadian champion and A-Team member:
"Good luck to my boy Simon "Killer" Kean who fights
France today in his first bout at the Olympics."
PADDY BARNES of IRELAND
*Paddy Barnes has been an outstanding boxer for Ireland
in recent years. He has also been one of the top ten boxers
in his division for many years. in recent ratings he was dropped
thus putting at a disadvantage in the draws at the Olympics.
It is hoped that this disadvantage will not ruin his changes in London.
THE WAITING GAME: IT'S OVER
For Canadian boxer MARY SPENCER it has been a waiting game.
The door to the Olympics is closing fast with the only key left is the
wild card possibility where a few boxers that had been eliminated will
get the gift of a lifetime and be selected by the Olympic committee.
THE TRAINING GAME and THE SUPPORT:
*Prior to the trip to London, Canadian boxers Custio Clayton and
Simon Kean will be heading to Ireland for the last training camp.
Sports reporter Monte Mosher of "The Chronicle Herald" is staying
in-tune with the ongoing story.
*USA boxer Jose Ramirez recently had an Olympic send-off event:
PRE-OLYMPIC COVERAGE: THE RING magazine, August 2012
*From out select list of boxers, JOSE RAMIREZ in one of the USA
boxers on the cover of the magazine and also featured in the
Olympic preview of Team USA from super heavyweight Dominic Breazeale
to flyweight Rau'shee Warren.
Team Great Britian is also profiled including:
Josh Taylor (Scotland) and Luke Campbell (England, the profiles also
includes the two Welsh boxers Fred Evans and Andrew Selby.
OLYMPIC ACTION: The Glory and the Pain
== THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPICS ==
**from the opening bell to the end of the action, this is their Olympic story**
SCHEDULE:
First day of action: July 28th. Men's Bantamweights and Middleweights
*The bantamweight profiled in this story is England's LUKE CAMPBELL.
One of the other bantamweights is JOSEPH DIAZ jr. of Team USA.
Second day of action July 29th. Men's Lightweight and Welterweight
*The two lightweights being followed in this story are:
Jose Ramirez of California, USA and Scotland's Josh Taylor.
Alternative Training Facilities for the Canadians:
*An interesting story by Steve Buffrey relates to the
alternative training facilities in London. It seems,
Clayton, Kean and Spencer have been training at
Rooney's Gym in London rather that the Olympic training site.
GOLD MEDAL PREDICTIONS:
*of all the boxers listed, the one expected to win a gold medal is
England's SAVANNAH MARSHALL. A year ago, Canada's
MARY SPENCER was a heavy choice for a medal, but recent
activity has reduced the odds for her medal success, but it she
gets back her 2011 form then there is the potential for gold.
The best choice for a medal of the men boxers would have
to be LUKE CAMPBELL of England, but it may not be gold
or silver. For the rest, much will depend on the draws for each
boxer in their preliminary bouts.
The Olympic Road for SIMON KEANE
So Simon will move forward with hopes of moving into medal contention.
The Olympic Road for CUSTIO CLAYTON:
be a tough bout against Oscar Molina of Mexico.
Good news for Canada with
a victory by Clayton in the
first boxing victory since the
2004 Olympic Games. Now,
Canadian boxing can move
forward,
*In the quarter finals, Clayton faced Freddie Evans
of Team Great Britain.Evans won round one by a big margin,
but in round two, Clayton roared back to win the round and
move close to the combined score of Evans. So,
it would all come down to the third round and controversy
regarding whether the referee should of deducted a point
for a number of cautions. This proved to be the key issue
with Canadian fans when the bout ended in
a tie and on the count back, Evans was awarded the bout
and moves into the medal round. But, for Canadians, Custio
would be praised for his fine effort and achievements and
will long be remembered and is credited for bringing
pride back to Canadian Amateur Boxing's Olympic Games history.
The Olympic Road for PADDY BARNES
*Paddy with two victories has earned a place into the medal
round and will compete in the semi-finals.
The Olympic Road for LUKE CAMPBELL
In the prelim round on Saturday for bantamweight action, Luke
received a bye and is expected to see action on August 1st.
*(Luke won his first bout and then
followed that up with another victory, and looks like a medal winner.
The Olympic boxing journey of Josh Taylor
bout, but on August 2nd.
the long journey would
come to and end.
The Olympic Boxing Road for JOSE RAMIREZ
King's Boxing Club,
Avenal, California,
The club's web site is:
http://www.avenalboxing.com/
In a closely scored bout, RAMIREZ scores the win and moves
one step closer to the medal round.
*The race for a medal for Jose Ramirez came to an end
on August 2nd. when he dropped a decsion.
THE OLYMPIC BOXING JOURNEY of SAVANNAH MARSHALL
*Recently, Savannah was a recipient of a special award in Sheffield.
THE OLYMPIC BOXING JOURNEY of MARY SPENCER
to be an Olympic boxer.
*Savannah and Mary's active 2012 Olympic journey has come to
an end with losses in their first bouts. Both, at one time, were
expected to medal based on past performances, but the past is no
guarantee of any future results.
LUKE CAMPBELL, THE LAST MAN STANDING:
to go for gold in the bantamweight division on Friday August 11th
***** Luke Campbell (England) vs John Joe Nevin (Ireland)*****
THE FINAL STORY AFTER THE FINAL BELL:
2013: What are they doing now?
*Some of the boxers continue to receive special
awards and attend special events.
* Luke Campbell, gold medal recipient:
https://www.facebook.com/LukeCampbellOfficial
Jose Ramirez: Team USA
http://thefuturechamp.com/new/
Jose is now a pro boxer and is planning
to fight for a world title in the future.
The new web site will follow the journey
as time flashes past in and beyond California.
http://www.facebook.com/Joseramirezboxing
* the link above is the direct link with the fans
with regular updates and comments from others.
Josh Taylor, Team Great Britain
http://www.joshtaylorboxing.com/
Josh is still boxing in 2013 and was a member of the
"British Lionhearts" in World Series boxing.
http://britishlionhearts.com/
*** the above link takes us to the details of the British Lionhearts ****
The boxers train at the training facility in Sheffield. Some of the other
boxers are: Andrew Selby, Charlie Edwards, John Joe Nevin and Sam Maxwell.
Paddy Barnes, Team Ireland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Barnes
* the above link highlights Paddy's boxing journey
up to his final bout in the 2012 London Olympics.
Beyond London, Paddy was celebrated back in Ireland
along with other team mates.
*In 2013, Paddy is still boxing and is expected to see action
in May.
Savannah Marshall, Team Great Britain
* Savannah along with GB team members
Nicola Adams and Lisa whiteside secured gold
at the 2013 Women's EU Championship.
BEYOND LONDON 2012
Good news concerning LUKE CAMPBELL
who recently made his pro debut and
won in 90 seconds.
* Luke Campbell, gold medal recipient:
https://www.facebook.com/LukeCampbellOfficial
Jose Ramirez: Team USA
http://thefuturechamp.com/new/
Jose is now a pro boxer and is planning
to fight for a world title in the future.
The new web site will follow the journey
as time flashes past in and beyond California.
http://www.facebook.com/Joseramirezboxing
* the link above is the direct link with the fans
with regular updates and comments from others.
Josh Taylor, Team Great Britain
http://www.joshtaylorboxing.com/
Josh is still boxing in 2013 and was a member of the
"British Lionhearts" in World Series boxing.
*** the above link takes us to the details of the British Lionhearts ****
The boxers train at the training facility in Sheffield. Some of the other
boxers are: Andrew Selby, Charlie Edwards, John Joe Nevin and Sam Maxwell.
Paddy Barnes, Team Ireland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Barnes
* the above link highlights Paddy's boxing journey
up to his final bout in the 2012 London Olympics.
Beyond London, Paddy was celebrated back in Ireland
along with other team mates.
*In 2013, Paddy is still boxing and is expected to see action
in May.
Savannah Marshall, Team Great Britain
* Savannah along with GB team members
Nicola Adams and Lisa whiteside secured gold
at the 2013 Women's EU Championship.
BEYOND LONDON 2012
Good news concerning LUKE CAMPBELL
who recently made his pro debut and
won in 90 seconds.
Monday, May 14, 2012
HAROLD MANN and JIMMY SYMES BOXING AWARDS
ANNUAL AWARDS of BOXING BC: By Brian Zelley
*For many years, two special awards presented by Boxing BC
on an annual basis are the Jimmy Symes award which is
now presented to a junior boxer and the Harold Mann award
which is presented to a non-competitor such as a coach,
official or other volunteer.
During the long history of organized amateur boxing
from 1939 to 2012, there have been other special awards
that have been presented such as the Billy Townsend award,
and the Bert Lowes award. Some others of interest include
the Fred Fuller award and for Boxing Canada the
Ron Whalley award for officials.
For 2011 and 2012, there has been no major publicity about
the Symes and Mann awards in British Columbia.
*For many years, two special awards presented by Boxing BC
on an annual basis are the Jimmy Symes award which is
now presented to a junior boxer and the Harold Mann award
which is presented to a non-competitor such as a coach,
official or other volunteer.
During the long history of organized amateur boxing
from 1939 to 2012, there have been other special awards
that have been presented such as the Billy Townsend award,
and the Bert Lowes award. Some others of interest include
the Fred Fuller award and for Boxing Canada the
Ron Whalley award for officials.
For 2011 and 2012, there has been no major publicity about
the Symes and Mann awards in British Columbia.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
BOXING - THE HALLS and WALLS of FAME
BOXING - The Halls of Fame: By Brian Zelley
Introduction
Throughout the globe there are thousands
of past members of amateur and professional
boxing in International Boxing Halls of Fame,
to National and regional boxing halls.
Also, there are many with a boxing focus that
are in various National, regional or municipality
sports halls of fame. To help us appreciate
this situation and recognize the many in one spot,
I will look at halls of fame with a focus on boxing.
But, there is the London Boxing Club
soccer team that was inducted into the 2011
Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame
There is no easy starting point for this process as there are so many
halls that it will take a long time to recognize each one. Likely, the
original International boxing hall of fame was the one that was
published on an annual basis in the old "The RING" magazine.
Not there is an International Boxing. The Hall was started by
the late Nat Fleischer in 1954 and consisted of a modern,
old-timers and pioneer section. Between 1954 and 1975
there were 134 persons inducted of which 43 were in the
modern category comprised of:
THE MODERN INDUCTEES (1954 to 1975)
*Jack Dempsey - Joe Louis - Henry Armstrong - Benny Leonard
*Gene Tunney - Harry Greb - Mickey Walker - Tony Canzoneri
*Jimmy McLarnin - Barney Ross - Tommy Loughran
*Johnny Dundee - Tony Zale - Kid Chocoate - Rocky Marciano
*Jack Britton - Lew Tendler - Billy Petrolle - Marcel Cerdan
*Willie Pep - Lou Ambers - Jim Braddock - Billy Conn
*Archie Moore - Kid Gavilan - Ray Robinson - Max Baer
*Carmen Basilio - Jersey Joe Walcott - Max Schmeling
*Ezzard Charles - Rocky Graziano - Sandy Saddler
*Maxie Rosenbloom - Fritzie Zivic - Beau Jack - Gus Lesnevich
*Sammy Angott - Dick Tiger - Gene Fullmer - Sixto Escobar
*Jackie Kid Berg and Joey Maxim.
(Dick Tiger was inducted in 1974 along
with Gene Fullmer, George KO Chaney,
Frank Klaus, and Dick Curtis.)
THE OLDTIMERS and PIONEERS
*Includes a good cross section of boxers and builders
from John L. Sullivan and George Dixon to non-boxers
such as Nat Fleischer and some of the real old pioneers
such as James Figg and Jack Broughton.
REGIONAL BOXING HALLS OF FAME
There is a California Boxing Hall of Fame in the USA and
in British Columbia there is the BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
California's ceremony in 2011:
The 2012 event
will take place in
the near future and
some of those connected
to the event will report
on some of the happenings
2011 Inductees include
*Gene Fullmer
Dwight Hawkins
and those listed in the
photo.
Also recognized but no
longer with us include Willie Pep and Bob Fitzsimmons
OREGON STATE: Sports Hall of Fame
*Boxing inductees include:
Denny Moyer, Tom Moyer, Joe Kahut and Ray Lampkin.
*BRITISH COLUMBIA:
The British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame:
*Was started in 2010 for the purpose of recognizing
boxers and builders in amateur boxing. In 2011, it
expanded to include a Pioneer category in which
Tommy Paonessa was selected, a Junior/Youth
category in which Alan Brown was selected, a
event category in which the 1968 BC International
Diamond Belt Championships were selecte, a club
category in which the Campbell River Eagles Boxing
Six of the 15 core group of
inductees into the BCABHOF.
Freddy Fuller, Eddie Haddad, Frank Scott,
Dale Walter, Dick Findlay and
Fred Desrosiers. (2010)
As of September 2011 there are
twenty five (25) members of which
some are in special categories.
Some of the early ones picked as builders
include:
Dave Brown, Elio Ius, Fred Fuller, Pat O'Reilly and Rick Brough.
Municipalities Far and Wide In Canada:
*there are numerous sports halls of fams spread throughout Canada
such As Greater Victoria, Burnaby, and Prince George in BC or
Edmonton in Alberta and many more such as London Ontario.
Introduction
Throughout the globe there are thousands
of past members of amateur and professional
boxing in International Boxing Halls of Fame,
to National and regional boxing halls.
Also, there are many with a boxing focus that
are in various National, regional or municipality
sports halls of fame. To help us appreciate
this situation and recognize the many in one spot,
I will look at halls of fame with a focus on boxing.
But, there is the London Boxing Club
soccer team that was inducted into the 2011
Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame
There is no easy starting point for this process as there are so many
halls that it will take a long time to recognize each one. Likely, the
original International boxing hall of fame was the one that was
published on an annual basis in the old "The RING" magazine.
Not there is an International Boxing. The Hall was started by
the late Nat Fleischer in 1954 and consisted of a modern,
old-timers and pioneer section. Between 1954 and 1975
there were 134 persons inducted of which 43 were in the
modern category comprised of:
THE MODERN INDUCTEES (1954 to 1975)
*Jack Dempsey - Joe Louis - Henry Armstrong - Benny Leonard
*Gene Tunney - Harry Greb - Mickey Walker - Tony Canzoneri
*Jimmy McLarnin - Barney Ross - Tommy Loughran
*Johnny Dundee - Tony Zale - Kid Chocoate - Rocky Marciano
*Jack Britton - Lew Tendler - Billy Petrolle - Marcel Cerdan
*Willie Pep - Lou Ambers - Jim Braddock - Billy Conn
*Archie Moore - Kid Gavilan - Ray Robinson - Max Baer
*Carmen Basilio - Jersey Joe Walcott - Max Schmeling
*Ezzard Charles - Rocky Graziano - Sandy Saddler
*Maxie Rosenbloom - Fritzie Zivic - Beau Jack - Gus Lesnevich
*Sammy Angott - Dick Tiger - Gene Fullmer - Sixto Escobar
*Jackie Kid Berg and Joey Maxim.
with Gene Fullmer, George KO Chaney,
Frank Klaus, and Dick Curtis.)
THE OLDTIMERS and PIONEERS
*Includes a good cross section of boxers and builders
from John L. Sullivan and George Dixon to non-boxers
such as Nat Fleischer and some of the real old pioneers
such as James Figg and Jack Broughton.
REGIONAL BOXING HALLS OF FAME
There is a California Boxing Hall of Fame in the USA and
in British Columbia there is the BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
California's ceremony in 2011:
will take place in
the near future and
some of those connected
to the event will report
on some of the happenings
2011 Inductees include
*Gene Fullmer
Dwight Hawkins
and those listed in the
photo.
Also recognized but no
longer with us include Willie Pep and Bob Fitzsimmons
OREGON STATE: Sports Hall of Fame
*Boxing inductees include:
Denny Moyer, Tom Moyer, Joe Kahut and Ray Lampkin.
*BRITISH COLUMBIA:
The British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame:
*Was started in 2010 for the purpose of recognizing
boxers and builders in amateur boxing. In 2011, it
expanded to include a Pioneer category in which
Tommy Paonessa was selected, a Junior/Youth
category in which Alan Brown was selected, a
event category in which the 1968 BC International
Diamond Belt Championships were selecte, a club
category in which the Campbell River Eagles Boxing
inductees into the BCABHOF.
Freddy Fuller, Eddie Haddad, Frank Scott,
Dale Walter, Dick Findlay and
Fred Desrosiers. (2010)
As of September 2011 there are
twenty five (25) members of which
some are in special categories.
Some of the early ones picked as builders
include:
Dave Brown, Elio Ius, Fred Fuller, Pat O'Reilly and Rick Brough.
Municipalities Far and Wide In Canada:
*there are numerous sports halls of fams spread throughout Canada
such As Greater Victoria, Burnaby, and Prince George in BC or
Edmonton in Alberta and many more such as London Ontario.
Monday, May 7, 2012
CANADA WINTER GAMES: Beyond The River of Tears
CANADIAN BOXING HISTORY and THE WINTER GAMES:
- By Brian W. Zelley
Introduction:
"Beyond the River of Tears"
From the Seventies to 2010,
amateur boxing has been an
important part of the
Canada Winter Games, but
for 2014 the great journey has
come to an end. The sport of
amateur boxing has received
a body blow from the
Canada Games decision makers,
and not even the Premier of
Nova Scotia could stop that
decision. When the Games comes to one of the best boxing cities
in Canada in 2014, there is no scheduled boxing tournament
for the Winter Games. Despite this setback, Canadian boxers,
coaches and officials of the past can take pleasure in knowing
that they have contributed much to the history of the Winter Games,
and the Games served as an important stepping stone for many
of our top boxers who have brought pride and excellence to the
sport of amateur boxing and to Canada in International
tournament from the Commonwealth Games to the Olympics.
IN THE BEGINNING: 1971
(two of the original boxer in
the Canada Winter Games
**Neil Austin and Joe Cooke**
Although the first winter
games took place in 1967,
boxing joined the Games
in 1971 in Saskatoon,
but it was not a youth
boxing show as some top
name boxers from Canada
were part of the Saskatoon
showdown. Some of the names to remember
include: Buzz Montour, Carroll Morgan, Chester Douglas,
Dale Anderson, Jack Meda, Jerry Day, Jim Titley, Joe Cooke,
Neil Austin and Steve Tohill. These would be some of the
pioneers of boxing's role in the Games. And over the years,
there would be many more to add to the history books.
1975: THE LETHBRIDGE GAMES
*Of interest, for team BC, the name
TOHILL would appear for the second
time, but there were many others
from across Canada that would join the
Winter Games experience such as
Derrick Hoyt, Corky Kaulius, Brad Hortie,
Steven Nolan and Chris Clarke.
1979: BRANDON, MANITOBA
*For 1979, there would be about 78
boxing folk entered from across Canada
including some of the well known
National boxers: Brian Nolan, Don Poole, Shane Anderson,
Mark Collins, Peter Britt and Ken Johnson. Some of the
others from Mark Adams to Danny Young were:
Joe Pendry, Brian Wise, Jeff Williamson, Sonny Wicks,
Kelly Valberg, and Glen Friday.
THE EIGHTIES: 1983 and 1987
*Some of the names from 1983 would include many
old familiar names in boxing such as Asif Dar and Rick Duff.
A sample of the others were: Ron Paskie, Curtis Fidler,
Randall Thompson and Gary Wood.
The 1987 event would include some past National junior
champions and some others of note:
*Coaches - Bob Edgett, John Kovak, Kai Yip and Yvon Michel,
*Some of the boxers of note: Jeff Hill, Willy Curry, Tony Francis,
Tony Duffy, Eric Grenier, Bill Irwin, Michael Strange and
Corey Burton.
THE NINETIES: 1991, 1995 and 1999
*During the Nineties there would be many new faces
on the Winter Games' stages with new coaches taking
the place of the old veterans and a new crop of boxers
to lead the charge. Some of those boxers would move
up and forward to the International stage in major
tournaments.
Some of the names of the Nineties:
Mark Collins, Doug Bolianatz, Raymond Doiron,
Joe Stack, Larry Fleming, and Dave Habib.
Some of the boxers of note include:
Casey Patton, Stephen Gallinger, Mike Sound,
Adam Trupish, Jean Pascal and Arash Usmanee.
A NEW CENTURY and THE LAST GAMES for amateur boxing:
A Sample of the names of those that were there:
THE END OF THE ROAD FOR BOXING
*Before the most recent Games had seen the light of day
in Nova Scotia, the word was out that this would be the
end for amateur boxing in Canada's Winter Games.
The boxing activity in the Nova Scotia hosted Games
were a great success, but the enthusiasm of those
involved and the fans and even the Premier of the
Province was not good enough for the decision makers
of the Canada Games. With defeat, comes all sorts of
reason, but whatever the reasons, a great tradition that
began in 1971 will be killed-off by the decision makers.
THE FINAL LEGACY is a RIVER OF TEARS
*The river of tears, teardrop by lonely teardrop,
will never wash away the pain and the loss but for
forty or so years members of amateur boxing in
Canada sacrificed much to be part of the
National sports scene with pride and enthusiasm.
The pain and the sorrow will remain, but those
that participated will be remembered, and the
achievements will never be lost.
THE FUTURE ???????? WHO CAN SAY WHAT
- By Brian W. Zelley
"Beyond the River of Tears"
From the Seventies to 2010,
amateur boxing has been an
important part of the
Canada Winter Games, but
for 2014 the great journey has
come to an end. The sport of
amateur boxing has received
a body blow from the
Canada Games decision makers,
and not even the Premier of
Nova Scotia could stop that
decision. When the Games comes to one of the best boxing cities
in Canada in 2014, there is no scheduled boxing tournament
for the Winter Games. Despite this setback, Canadian boxers,
coaches and officials of the past can take pleasure in knowing
that they have contributed much to the history of the Winter Games,
and the Games served as an important stepping stone for many
of our top boxers who have brought pride and excellence to the
sport of amateur boxing and to Canada in International
tournament from the Commonwealth Games to the Olympics.
IN THE BEGINNING: 1971
(two of the original boxer in
the Canada Winter Games
**Neil Austin and Joe Cooke**
Although the first winter
games took place in 1967,
boxing joined the Games
in 1971 in Saskatoon,
but it was not a youth
boxing show as some top
name boxers from Canada
were part of the Saskatoon
showdown. Some of the names to remember
include: Buzz Montour, Carroll Morgan, Chester Douglas,
Dale Anderson, Jack Meda, Jerry Day, Jim Titley, Joe Cooke,
Neil Austin and Steve Tohill. These would be some of the
pioneers of boxing's role in the Games. And over the years,
there would be many more to add to the history books.
1975: THE LETHBRIDGE GAMES
*Of interest, for team BC, the name
TOHILL would appear for the second
time, but there were many others
from across Canada that would join the
Winter Games experience such as
Derrick Hoyt, Corky Kaulius, Brad Hortie,
Steven Nolan and Chris Clarke.
1979: BRANDON, MANITOBA
*For 1979, there would be about 78
boxing folk entered from across Canada
including some of the well known
National boxers: Brian Nolan, Don Poole, Shane Anderson,
Mark Collins, Peter Britt and Ken Johnson. Some of the
others from Mark Adams to Danny Young were:
Joe Pendry, Brian Wise, Jeff Williamson, Sonny Wicks,
Kelly Valberg, and Glen Friday.
THE EIGHTIES: 1983 and 1987
*Some of the names from 1983 would include many
old familiar names in boxing such as Asif Dar and Rick Duff.
A sample of the others were: Ron Paskie, Curtis Fidler,
Randall Thompson and Gary Wood.
The 1987 event would include some past National junior
champions and some others of note:
*Coaches - Bob Edgett, John Kovak, Kai Yip and Yvon Michel,
*Some of the boxers of note: Jeff Hill, Willy Curry, Tony Francis,
Tony Duffy, Eric Grenier, Bill Irwin, Michael Strange and
Corey Burton.
THE NINETIES: 1991, 1995 and 1999
*During the Nineties there would be many new faces
on the Winter Games' stages with new coaches taking
the place of the old veterans and a new crop of boxers
to lead the charge. Some of those boxers would move
up and forward to the International stage in major
tournaments.
Some of the names of the Nineties:
Mark Collins, Doug Bolianatz, Raymond Doiron,
Joe Stack, Larry Fleming, and Dave Habib.
Some of the boxers of note include:
Casey Patton, Stephen Gallinger, Mike Sound,
Adam Trupish, Jean Pascal and Arash Usmanee.
A NEW CENTURY and THE LAST GAMES for amateur boxing:
A Sample of the names of those that were there:
THE END OF THE ROAD FOR BOXING
*Before the most recent Games had seen the light of day
in Nova Scotia, the word was out that this would be the
end for amateur boxing in Canada's Winter Games.
The boxing activity in the Nova Scotia hosted Games
were a great success, but the enthusiasm of those
involved and the fans and even the Premier of the
Province was not good enough for the decision makers
of the Canada Games. With defeat, comes all sorts of
reason, but whatever the reasons, a great tradition that
began in 1971 will be killed-off by the decision makers.
THE FINAL LEGACY is a RIVER OF TEARS
*The river of tears, teardrop by lonely teardrop,
will never wash away the pain and the loss but for
forty or so years members of amateur boxing in
Canada sacrificed much to be part of the
National sports scene with pride and enthusiasm.
The pain and the sorrow will remain, but those
that participated will be remembered, and the
achievements will never be lost.
THE FUTURE ???????? WHO CAN SAY WHAT
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
THE ALLAN BAYNE BOXING STORY
The ALLAN BAYNE Boxing Story: By Brian Zelley
Introduction:
Allan Bayne is a former boxer from British Columbia, Canada
and has been nominated for the British Columbia
Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame for 2012.
As a preliminary step in the selection process, the story of
Allan and his boxing journey is an important first step.
Allan began boxing at a young age in the region
of Greater Vancouver and one of his initial coaches was former
Canadian champion Frank Scott. He would later be part of the
Prince George boxing scene as part of the Prince George
"Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club" along with many other fine
junior, youth and senior novice and open boxers.
The Early Years:
The Golden Boy:
National and International Competition:
Professional Boxing:
Prince George Sports Hall of Fame:
Golden Memories in Our Treasure Chests:
Introduction:
Allan Bayne is a former boxer from British Columbia, Canada
and has been nominated for the British Columbia
Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame for 2012.
As a preliminary step in the selection process, the story of
Allan and his boxing journey is an important first step.
Allan began boxing at a young age in the region
of Greater Vancouver and one of his initial coaches was former
Canadian champion Frank Scott. He would later be part of the
Prince George boxing scene as part of the Prince George
"Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing Club" along with many other fine
junior, youth and senior novice and open boxers.
The Early Years:
The Golden Boy:
National and International Competition:
Professional Boxing:
Prince George Sports Hall of Fame:
Golden Memories in Our Treasure Chests:
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