BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL of FAME - 2013 - Blogs - Boxing Forums
An announcement of the number of nominees as of September 30, 2012.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame - 2013 nominees and 2010 to 2012 inductees
*the video above features photos of many of the inductees in the
British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame for the first
three years. The total inductees amount to 41 for 2010, 2011,
and 2012. Six of those are included in the photo above"
* Freddy Fuller - Eddie Haddad - Frankie Scott
* Dale Walters - Dick Findlay - Fred Desrosiers
but the video also includes many others:
*Tommy Paonessa, Lennie Walters, Roger Adolph,
Alan Brown, Tony Duffy, Mandy Lapointe,
Allan Bayne, Donnie Orr, Harold Mann, Laurie Mann,
Jamie Ollenberger, Jimmy Walters, Lindy Lindmoser,
Manny Sobral, Matt O'Brien, Michael Olajide jr.,
Bert Lowes, Elio Ius, Fred Fuller, George Angelomatis,
George Shiels, and Rick Brough.
includes one family and that is the Boyce family
*Three boxing clubs selected include:
Campbell River Eagles, Nanaimo Boxing Club
and the Prince George "Spruce Capital boxing club"
Nominees for 2013: By Brian Zelley
*it is a little early in the process to begin any in-depth
classification or selection process. From October to
December 2012, it will be a process of information
gathering for all the nominees, and to draw on
support and help from the various supporters.
In the closing days of September, the three new
honorary directors Boyd Bayne, Mandy Lapointe,
and Kevin "Booper" Maughan have been a great help.
A recent volunteer has also helped with details of
Jim Gallagher.
The first nominated for 2013 is Mickey Griffin,
but many soon followed.
Some of the nominees highlighted include:
Dick St. Louis, and George Nepper, Gordie Lawson.
Mickey Griffin, but there have been some recent
nominations such as Jim Gallagher, Boyd Bayne,
Sid McKnight, Ed Williams, Jim Howie, Ralph Galloway.
There is a couple of shots of Ed Williams on the
video, but other photos would be welcome.
RON WHALLEY - long time ring official could be seen
at many club show, provincial tournaments and also was at many a
National and International events. Ron along with Fred Fuller and
Bert Lowes were three of the many BC officials involved with
fostering best boxing practices and education for officials and coaches.
His service to the sport has been recognized by BOXING CANADA.
special thanks to all that have assisted with this
project over the last three years, and attempt will
be made to recognize all those that have helped
for 2013 and/or earlier years. This will be done
at the end of the selection process about July 2013.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Junior/Youth Boxers of BC - 2013 Nominees
THE RACE IS ON FOR THE JUNIOR/YOUTHE
BOXERS IN THE 2013 BCABHOF SELECTION: by Brian Zelley
*It is a long way from the start of selecyting boxers as inductees
for the 2013 British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
With about about nine months to go there are some interesting
group of nominees in the Junior/Youth category.
*The nominees as of September 26th, 2012 includes:
Mickey Griffin, Cliff Ballendine, Scott Bannink,
Jamie Ballard and Troy Bannink.
Who Is Already In:
*The previous two boxers selected for this category
are ALAN BROWN (2011) and TONY DUFFY (2012).
So it will be interesting to follow the process to determine
if one or two or even three get picked. But, they will all
have to compete with boxers, builders, women-in-boxing
and at least one club to earn the title of inductee.
Breaking down the locations of the boxers:
*Mickey Griffin (Nanaimo), Cliff Ballendine (Victoria),
Jamie Ballard (Cranbrook), and Scott and Troy Bannink
from Sparwood's "Elk Valley Boxing Club". Griffin,
Ballendine and Ballard are all boxers that have been
selected for the "Jimmy Symes Award" for top junior
boxers. What may be the deciding factor would be there
performance in the 17 and 18 year old category.
One of the important things that sets Griffin apart from all
the rest was his competition against senior open Canadian
champions, and bouts with one time Olympic boxers
Chris Ius and Leo Randolph. Also, while only a youth
he took the place of Pan Am Gold medal winner Chris Clarke
to engage in an International tournament and face a top
ranked USA boxer.
Jamie Ballard would move into the youth category from juniors
with success in the 1984 BC Golden Gloves and be part of the
1984 Junior Intermediate team along with Lee Gauthier,
John Henry Wilson, Alan Brown, Gary Wood and others.
In his first trip to a Intermediate nationals, Ballard would
earn a bronze
BOXERS IN THE 2013 BCABHOF SELECTION: by Brian Zelley
*It is a long way from the start of selecyting boxers as inductees
for the 2013 British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.
With about about nine months to go there are some interesting
group of nominees in the Junior/Youth category.
*The nominees as of September 26th, 2012 includes:
Mickey Griffin, Cliff Ballendine, Scott Bannink,
Jamie Ballard and Troy Bannink.
Who Is Already In:
*The previous two boxers selected for this category
are ALAN BROWN (2011) and TONY DUFFY (2012).
So it will be interesting to follow the process to determine
if one or two or even three get picked. But, they will all
have to compete with boxers, builders, women-in-boxing
and at least one club to earn the title of inductee.
Breaking down the locations of the boxers:
*Mickey Griffin (Nanaimo), Cliff Ballendine (Victoria),
Jamie Ballard (Cranbrook), and Scott and Troy Bannink
from Sparwood's "Elk Valley Boxing Club". Griffin,
Ballendine and Ballard are all boxers that have been
selected for the "Jimmy Symes Award" for top junior
boxers. What may be the deciding factor would be there
performance in the 17 and 18 year old category.
One of the important things that sets Griffin apart from all
the rest was his competition against senior open Canadian
champions, and bouts with one time Olympic boxers
Chris Ius and Leo Randolph. Also, while only a youth
he took the place of Pan Am Gold medal winner Chris Clarke
to engage in an International tournament and face a top
ranked USA boxer.
Jamie Ballard would move into the youth category from juniors
with success in the 1984 BC Golden Gloves and be part of the
1984 Junior Intermediate team along with Lee Gauthier,
John Henry Wilson, Alan Brown, Gary Wood and others.
In his first trip to a Intermediate nationals, Ballard would
earn a bronze
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
1973 VICTORIA BOXING and JOHN KOVAK
WORKING WITH JOHN KOVAK: by Brian Zelley
In many ways, I was living
in more than two worlds
in 1973. I was involved
with the early years of the
Nanaimo boxing Club and
taking time out to fight
Clark MacLellan in the
semi-main event of a club
card, but at the same time trying to get the London boxing
club boxing program re-activated. So it was Nanaimo
on weekends, and Victoria during the week.
I met with former coach Harry Morris, Stan Richardson
and former boxer Gary Van Buskirk to review the status.
The old gym on Broad street was still there but there was
no boxing program, so I got the okay from Harry to start
training nights in the old unused gym. One of the first
to show up to help with the training was JOHN KOVAK.
Due to internal politics at the London Boxing Club, the
boxing program from training to competition would never
see the light of day in the months of 1973, but over time
I along with Dan Wright and Ian Weir would join up
with Mike Caird and Gordie McGaw with training at
the Victoria boy's club, and in due course, the new
directors of the London boxing club would come calling.
Years later, I would meet JOHN KOVAC again and
found out he was running a great boxing club close
to the Rocky Mountains in Sparwood called the
Elk Valley boxing club. Back in 1973, I was pleased
with John's involvement for the short time that we
worked together, and was not surprised that he would
have a good boxing program with his share of champs.
During my few years being the editor of the
"BC Amateur Boxing News, John would become
one of the regular folks like Dick St. Louis, Bert Lowes
and founding pres. of Boxing Canada, Jerry Shields to
be good and reliable folks to help with articles and news
along with many others including many of the clubs on
Vancouver Island.
It was in May 1984 issue of the news that featured the
BC Junior Boxing team of 1983. John appeared with
coach Wally Hill and the boxing team that consisted of
Alan Brown, Willy Curry, Deep butter, Manny Sobral,
Paul Deluca, Aaron Wolfe, Mike Wood, tony Francis
and Scott Bannink.
Re. the Mike Caird part of the story:
In 2009, Mike mentioned that some of his most fun days in boxing
were in those crazy years in 1973 to 1975. In 1973 and 1974, Dan and
I were still bouncing around with boxing in Victoria during the week days
and training in Nanaimo on saturday and sundays. To make thinks more
interesting, Dan also spent time in North Vancouver.
Mike Caird - 1963
in more than two worlds
in 1973. I was involved
with the early years of the
Nanaimo boxing Club and
taking time out to fight
Clark MacLellan in the
semi-main event of a club
card, but at the same time trying to get the London boxing
club boxing program re-activated. So it was Nanaimo
on weekends, and Victoria during the week.
I met with former coach Harry Morris, Stan Richardson
and former boxer Gary Van Buskirk to review the status.
The old gym on Broad street was still there but there was
no boxing program, so I got the okay from Harry to start
training nights in the old unused gym. One of the first
to show up to help with the training was JOHN KOVAK.
Due to internal politics at the London Boxing Club, the
boxing program from training to competition would never
see the light of day in the months of 1973, but over time
I along with Dan Wright and Ian Weir would join up
with Mike Caird and Gordie McGaw with training at
the Victoria boy's club, and in due course, the new
directors of the London boxing club would come calling.
Years later, I would meet JOHN KOVAC again and
found out he was running a great boxing club close
to the Rocky Mountains in Sparwood called the
Elk Valley boxing club. Back in 1973, I was pleased
with John's involvement for the short time that we
worked together, and was not surprised that he would
have a good boxing program with his share of champs.
During my few years being the editor of the
"BC Amateur Boxing News, John would become
one of the regular folks like Dick St. Louis, Bert Lowes
and founding pres. of Boxing Canada, Jerry Shields to
be good and reliable folks to help with articles and news
along with many others including many of the clubs on
Vancouver Island.
It was in May 1984 issue of the news that featured the
BC Junior Boxing team of 1983. John appeared with
coach Wally Hill and the boxing team that consisted of
Alan Brown, Willy Curry, Deep butter, Manny Sobral,
Paul Deluca, Aaron Wolfe, Mike Wood, tony Francis
and Scott Bannink.
Re. the Mike Caird part of the story:
In 2009, Mike mentioned that some of his most fun days in boxing
were in those crazy years in 1973 to 1975. In 1973 and 1974, Dan and
I were still bouncing around with boxing in Victoria during the week days
and training in Nanaimo on saturday and sundays. To make thinks more
interesting, Dan also spent time in North Vancouver.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
A Canadian Boxing Story - the tide rushes in
Looking For The combination of things that will maintain the progress of the Canadian amateur boxing story is not so easy. Over the decades there have been many highlights, but there is always some internal or external source that brings the whole structure crashing down, but many good folks in the sport keep picking the sport up and moving forward despite many lost opportunities and difficulties
THE BARRIERS, PITFALLS and SETBACKS
We have seen it all in the past from coast to coast, just when we are flying high there will be that invisible hand reaching out to pull us down. Some of the examples were evident in the build-up to the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, but despite the external criticism of amateur boxing by the Australian Medical Association, and academics in Victoria, the journey continued, and our Canadian boxers and coaches came through and did well.
We have seen tournament built-up and then from internal sources we have seen them knocked to the deck with the invisible hand. Some examples include the post revival of the Vancouver Island amateur Boxing Championships, the Northern BC Winter Games, the BC Winter Games and now the Canadian Winter Games. Before our boxers in 2012 left for London there were critics that focused of the negative times from the past but forgot to mention that glorious run from 1984 to 1996. And despite the tough competition one boxer by the name of CUSTIO CLAYTON stood out as a shining star. and for our men's boxing Custio and Simon proved that we could still win bouts in the great Olympic Games.
APPRECIATION and RECOGNITION FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENTS"
To recognize and appreciate our combined achievement and contributions of the past is to build pride hope and glory for the future. One important vehicle for that is through the
CANADIAN AMATEUR BOXING HISTORY AND WALL OF FAME.
THE BARRIERS, PITFALLS and SETBACKS
We have seen it all in the past from coast to coast, just when we are flying high there will be that invisible hand reaching out to pull us down. Some of the examples were evident in the build-up to the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, but despite the external criticism of amateur boxing by the Australian Medical Association, and academics in Victoria, the journey continued, and our Canadian boxers and coaches came through and did well.
We have seen tournament built-up and then from internal sources we have seen them knocked to the deck with the invisible hand. Some examples include the post revival of the Vancouver Island amateur Boxing Championships, the Northern BC Winter Games, the BC Winter Games and now the Canadian Winter Games. Before our boxers in 2012 left for London there were critics that focused of the negative times from the past but forgot to mention that glorious run from 1984 to 1996. And despite the tough competition one boxer by the name of CUSTIO CLAYTON stood out as a shining star. and for our men's boxing Custio and Simon proved that we could still win bouts in the great Olympic Games.
APPRECIATION and RECOGNITION FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENTS"
To recognize and appreciate our combined achievement and contributions of the past is to build pride hope and glory for the future. One important vehicle for that is through the
CANADIAN AMATEUR BOXING HISTORY AND WALL OF FAME.
Friday, September 21, 2012
DOMENIC FILANE FIGLIOMENI - His Boxing Road of Excellence
(the above video includes various clips from Domenic, and covers some
of the junior years, the Canadian title fights, and International events
and Domenic's induction into one of the regional Sports Halls of Fame.)
Domenic's Amazing Boxing Story: by brian zelley
Introduction:
I first remember
Domenic's name from
the build-up to the
1994 Commonwealth Games
Greater Victoria in Esquimalt.
Of course, the 1994 event was
not the beginning nor end of the
story, it was just another step in
the long road of his time as a Canadian senior boxing champion.
But, long before that he had begun the journey as a boxer back
in the eighties as a junior boxer. As the story unfolds, there are
many twists and turns along the boxing highway for Domenic.
THE STORY OF DOMENIC FILANE FIGLIOMENI
(authorized and approved by Domenic, who will be able to suggest
any adjustments or highlights that should be included)
*As we travel back and forth along the boxing highway
of Domenic, there will be a number of obvious highlights
concerning National and International events, but the
real beauty of the story is much of the post active boxing
involvement in the sport in his sports equipment business,
and his active story telling through events, videos, and
participation in the boxing groups. At present, Domenic
is one of the fine collection of nominees for the newly
created ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME.
But, his true gift has been to present tributes to others such as
MARC LEDUC, MATT MIZERSKI and the OLYMPIC
TEAM of 1992.
(a part of Domenic's tribute and memorial to Matt)
the photo appears in two of
Domenic's tributes:
*The '92 Canadian Olympic
boxing team and a tribute to
the late Marc Leduc who was
taken from us in recent years.
Another important contribution
by Domenic was being the prime
force behind a boxing team
reunion, and he scored a knockout
with the punch of a heavyweight. And, the final piece
of the reunion was a listing of names that will last
beyond the memories of those so named.
THE GREAT REUNION: the names on the wall
Back To Where It All Began - The Junior Years:
Like many other boxers, the story or the boxing journey
begins as a novice junior boxer many years before the
golden years on the world stage. Among his many foes
would be a future team mate for many years.
Who would have guessed
that these two juniors would
one day take the Nineties by storm
and be two of Canada's finest
amateur boxers to represent
the red maple leaf around the globe.
But, Domenic and Michael Strange
would share the boxing highway
with many friends on the teams
of Canada's finest.
THE CANADIAN TITLE (1990 to 1999)
*Looking back before 1990 there were many moments,
and after 1999, there would be new ventures, but
those glory years of the Nineties was a never ending
story of winning Canadian titles and performing
in tournaments including some high profile
International tournaments, but to get there, Domenic
was required to be a multi-term champion.
working back to 1990,
it would be never ending
record of achievement.
And, when we look at the earlier 1990 and the later year 1999
there would be some old team mates for some of those
tournaments from Commonwealth Games to Olympics.
Domenicand others would win their share of medals and
the mid-point was 1994 and the Commonwealth
Games in Canada. And, look at the photo of the boxers and
coaches and there sat Dale Brown and Michael Strange
who were Canadian champions back in 1990.
The International Boxing Highway:
Each tournament was special, but of course the Olympic
glory in 1992 and 1996 were the ultimate test along the
ROAD OF EXCELLENCE.
Some of the team members taking
a break from the Ring action in 1994
(front row Strange, Brown, Figliomeni and Bayne)
THE GOLDEN MEMORIES
DOMENIC, FANS and FRIENDS
On The Road of Excellence
*As the years flash by, Domenic will
have many special memories of the
life and times of an elite boxer.
But, others will have their own
special memories of the Champion,
the Team mate, the man.
THE HISTORY
Looking back at the light-flyweight division
which started in Canada in the early '70's
some of the champuons before Domenic
*** Ian Clyde, Jack Snaith, Danny Rannelli ***
*** Steve Beaupre and Scotty Olson ***
Thursday, September 13, 2012
ARCHIE SPARROW, boxer
| SPARROW ARCHIE WILFRID THE CHAMPPASSE | LifeNews.ca
*The above link relates to Archie Sparrow, a former boxer
that is a member of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.
*Of interest in a book titled "Memoirs Of Brant Inn"
by Stewart Brown, there is a caption that reads:
"More Like An Eagle Than A Sparrow".
*As expected for most boxers, Archie did not win all of
his bouts such as the 1939 Dominion Championships.
In the finals, Archie dropped a decision to Gaston Eichel
of Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Some other boxers in that
tournament included Kenny Lindsay, Jerry Blanchard,
Henry Devine, Mack Scott and many others.
*The above link relates to Archie Sparrow, a former boxer
that is a member of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.
*Of interest in a book titled "Memoirs Of Brant Inn"
by Stewart Brown, there is a caption that reads:
"More Like An Eagle Than A Sparrow".
*As expected for most boxers, Archie did not win all of
his bouts such as the 1939 Dominion Championships.
In the finals, Archie dropped a decision to Gaston Eichel
of Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Some other boxers in that
tournament included Kenny Lindsay, Jerry Blanchard,
Henry Devine, Mack Scott and many others.
ARCHIE SPARROW
| SPARROW ARCHIE WILFRID THE CHAMPPASSE | LifeNews.ca
*The above link relates to the death of ARCHIE SPARROW,
former boxer in the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.
*Of interest the book "Memoirs of Brant Inn"by Stewart Brown
has a caption: "More Like An Eagle Than A Sparrow" in
reference to Archie.
*The above link relates to the death of ARCHIE SPARROW,
former boxer in the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.
*Of interest the book "Memoirs of Brant Inn"by Stewart Brown
has a caption: "More Like An Eagle Than A Sparrow" in
reference to Archie.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
THE MARC LEDUC BOXING STORY
It was 1989 and Marc Leduc and Dominic Filane Figliomeni were there.
THREE YEARS LATER - 1992
Canadian Olympic Boxing team with the
following boxers:
domenic figliomeni
ray downey
marty o'donnell
chris johnson
michael strange
dale brown
billy irwin kirk johnson
marc leduc tom glesby
1992: Special Reception for Mark in Kingston
mark leduc (1962 - 2009)
*It was the saddest day of the year
for many in the boxing world who
knew marc as a club mate or a team
mate, a friend and a leader:
the saddest song of the year - 2009
*One of the reports was by Danielle Wong who reported
the sad news for the "Sun" that Marc Leduc, a silver
medalist in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics died at
St. Michael's Hospital.
Marc's brother- in-law Mark Johnson was quoted
with the following two comments among others:
"They thought that he would be the worst (of '92 taam)
but he knew how to hit...and not get hit", and to
measure the character of the man, Mark stated:
"He was a caring giving person who would
give the shirt off his back for you."
*FOREVER REMEMBERED: MARC LEDUC*
Canada's own Billy "the Kid" Irwin
sums it up with two words:
**********"Friend" & "Leader"**********
HALLS OF FAME:
Marc Leduc is one of 18 select inductees
for the ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING
HALL OF FAME.
Marc is presently one of about 55 amateur
boxing folks that are presently nominees for
a new CANADIAN AMATEUR BOXING
WALL of FAME included in the list are some
of his former team mates from Canadian teams.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
NANAIMO's MICKEY GRIFFIN
MICKEY GRIFFIN ** The Nanaimo Boxer: by Brian Zelley
Mickey Griffin in the middle with Bob Pegues
Nanaimo Boxing Club activity about 1975
Mickey is one of many that has
boxed in Nanaimo and Vancouver Island
**** some of the faces in the mix ****
The following sums-up the general feeling in Nanaimo:
During the Seventies, Mickey would have a very interesting
boxing journey with some rock solid victories. His first
significan victory was a decision over former club mate
and 1973 Canadian champion JACK SNAITH.
During those early years, he would become a top
junior boxer and would earn the important special
award for junior boxers in British Columbia and
that was the JIMMY SYME award. Mickey was the
first Vancover Island boxer to win this award, and
in subsequent years two other Island recipients
would be CLIFF BALLENDINE and ALAN BROWN.
It was August 1975, and the opening headline in the
local Nanaimo paper read: "Boxer Off To Games"
and this news about Mickey's trip to Regina for
the Western Summer Games included some names
of other BC boxers with great experience including
Ed and Joe McCaffrey, Jamie Ollenberger and others.
The final news had a more interesting headline:
"Griffin strikes Gold" with the key part of the narrative
being: "Nanaimo boxer MICKEY GRIFFIN brings home
a gold medal from the Western Summer Games held in
Regina,Saskatchewan.
Mickey would announce his retirement and would later
earn a title in kickboxing. Years later, Mickey would
turn to coaching boxing in Victoria. For awhile in
Nanaimo, in the late Seventies he would assist in
coaching duties. Some of his well known Nanaimo
club mates that would also turn to coaching would
be BOB PEGUES in Prince George and
then BARRY CRESWELL in Nanaimo.
(photo: Mickey Griffin, 1974)
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT - Mid Seventies
*although the Cubans were high in the ratings, the
Canadians were there in force to compete in
Montreal including Nanaimo's MICKEY GRIFFIN
who joined the tournament on short notice as a
replacement for Pan Am Gold Medalist Chris Clarke.
Canadian boxers in addition to Griffin were:
Chris Ius, Pietro Contarini, Carmen Rinke,
ian Clyde and Tim Taylor.
Mickey would face USA boxer james Kenty in the
lightweight division.
A SPECIAL TOURNAMENT IN NANAIMO: NOVEMBER 1975
*In the days leading up to a special bout that
would be featured in what was billed as the
Vancouver Island Bronze Gloves, local boxer
MICKEY GRIFFIN would work with coach
CLARK MACLELLAN punching a medicine ball
among other training routines has he prepared for his
main event bout against Canada's 1972 Olympic Team
boxer CHRIS IUS. But, the ending proved to be a
controversial ending with Ius getting a split-decision win.
The claim was there was referee interference which sided
with Ius. However, claims of referee and judges bias that
have effected the outcome has been a rock solid claim
before the Seventies and well beyond the Nineties.
FROM THE BEST JUNIOR BOXER IN 1974 to
setbacks in 1975 took their toll on Mickey so
he would announce his retirement in February 1976
with no real hope to make the Canadian Olympic team.
BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING HALL of FAME
Authorize by 2013 Administrators
Ray Beaulieu, Dean Bruckshaw Steven Kodiak,
Seth Gotro, Steve Wood, Brian Zelley
Mickey Griffin in the middle with Bob Pegues
Nanaimo Boxing Club activity about 1975
Mickey is one of many that has
boxed in Nanaimo and Vancouver Island
**** some of the faces in the mix ****
The following sums-up the general feeling in Nanaimo:
During the Seventies, Mickey would have a very interesting
boxing journey with some rock solid victories. His first
significan victory was a decision over former club mate
and 1973 Canadian champion JACK SNAITH.
During those early years, he would become a top
junior boxer and would earn the important special
award for junior boxers in British Columbia and
that was the JIMMY SYME award. Mickey was the
first Vancover Island boxer to win this award, and
in subsequent years two other Island recipients
would be CLIFF BALLENDINE and ALAN BROWN.
It was August 1975, and the opening headline in the
local Nanaimo paper read: "Boxer Off To Games"
and this news about Mickey's trip to Regina for
the Western Summer Games included some names
of other BC boxers with great experience including
Ed and Joe McCaffrey, Jamie Ollenberger and others.
The final news had a more interesting headline:
"Griffin strikes Gold" with the key part of the narrative
being: "Nanaimo boxer MICKEY GRIFFIN brings home
a gold medal from the Western Summer Games held in
Regina,Saskatchewan.
Mickey would announce his retirement and would later
earn a title in kickboxing. Years later, Mickey would
turn to coaching boxing in Victoria. For awhile in
Nanaimo, in the late Seventies he would assist in
coaching duties. Some of his well known Nanaimo
club mates that would also turn to coaching would
be BOB PEGUES in Prince George and
then BARRY CRESWELL in Nanaimo.
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT - Mid Seventies
*although the Cubans were high in the ratings, the
Canadians were there in force to compete in
Montreal including Nanaimo's MICKEY GRIFFIN
who joined the tournament on short notice as a
replacement for Pan Am Gold Medalist Chris Clarke.
Canadian boxers in addition to Griffin were:
Chris Ius, Pietro Contarini, Carmen Rinke,
ian Clyde and Tim Taylor.
Mickey would face USA boxer james Kenty in the
lightweight division.
A SPECIAL TOURNAMENT IN NANAIMO: NOVEMBER 1975
*In the days leading up to a special bout that
would be featured in what was billed as the
Vancouver Island Bronze Gloves, local boxer
MICKEY GRIFFIN would work with coach
CLARK MACLELLAN punching a medicine ball
among other training routines has he prepared for his
main event bout against Canada's 1972 Olympic Team
boxer CHRIS IUS. But, the ending proved to be a
controversial ending with Ius getting a split-decision win.
The claim was there was referee interference which sided
with Ius. However, claims of referee and judges bias that
have effected the outcome has been a rock solid claim
before the Seventies and well beyond the Nineties.
FROM THE BEST JUNIOR BOXER IN 1974 to
setbacks in 1975 took their toll on Mickey so
he would announce his retirement in February 1976
with no real hope to make the Canadian Olympic team.
BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING HALL of FAME
Authorize by 2013 Administrators
Ray Beaulieu, Dean Bruckshaw Steven Kodiak,
Seth Gotro, Steve Wood, Brian Zelley
Saturday, September 1, 2012
ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
ontario amateur boxing hall of fame
THE INDUCTEES for 2012: by brian zelley
Asif Dar, Billy Irwin, Chris Johnson, Dennis Bradley, Egerton Marcus, George Chuvalo,
George Fraser, Horace Gwynne, Ian Clyde,
Jerome McComb, Joe Sandulo, Lennox Lewis,
Marc Leduc, Mark Simmons, Michael Strange,
Nicky Furlano, Shawn O'Sullivan, Walter Henry .
selection committee:
Lou Joshua Eisen, Bill Mackie, Leo Marsh, and Brian Zelley
THE INDUCTEES for 2012: by brian zelley
Asif Dar, Billy Irwin, Chris Johnson, Dennis Bradley, Egerton Marcus, George Chuvalo,
George Fraser, Horace Gwynne, Ian Clyde,
Jerome McComb, Joe Sandulo, Lennox Lewis,
Marc Leduc, Mark Simmons, Michael Strange,
Nicky Furlano, Shawn O'Sullivan, Walter Henry .
selection committee:
Lou Joshua Eisen, Bill Mackie, Leo Marsh, and Brian Zelley
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