PARKSVILLE BOXING, then and now

PARKSVILLE, BC boxing history:  By Brian Zelley

Between 1954 and 1969, there was no official boxing club in Parksville.
But all that changed in the late Seventies when ART SMITH and
BRIAN SACHO former a boxing club to begin an interesting
time in amateur boxing that would be part of the Eighties.

They would have one club show before April 1984, then when
officials and coaches on Vancouver Island agreed to revive
the Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing Championships
twenty years after the last tournament in 1964, the club
in Parksville was chosen to host the tournament.

As time moved on, the Parksville area would become inactive
for amateur boxing, but in recent years a new club has been
formed with the interesting name of Genesis.  Like the club 
of the Eighties, the club of 2010 and 2011 was given a 
chance to host a tournament.  It would be the 2011
BC Bronze Gloves.  Boxers from the club would do well
at the home town tournament.  Some of the boxers would
also participate in the 2011 Emerald Gloves. 

Zelley's Round - Nov. 24, 1982

BOXING PLANNED FOR VICTORIA: By Brian Zelley, November 24, 1982, "Sportcaster", Victoria, BC

Determination, enthusiasm and dedication paid off for local boxers KIT MUNRO and KIRK RANNERIS when both boxers won championships at the BC Bronze Glovesfor junior novice amateur boxers at Vancouver on November 5 and 6. Munro
defeated two opponents to win the 119lb. bantamweight title and Ranneris defeated two opponents to win the 125lb, featherweight title.

For Kit and Kirk, their wins mark the first level of amateur championship boxing. Both boxers made their
amateur boxing start in the current season against more experienced opponents in a club show
hosted by their opponents boxing clubs.

Kit made his amateur start against a Vancouver opponent in Vancouver last September.
He was winning his bout when he was forced to retire due to an injury.

Kirk made his amateur boxing debut in October against a Campbell River boxer ... and lost the decision.

Despite the initial setbacks, both Munro and Ranneris showed the determination of potential champions
by returning to the Jaycees gym for more instruction and training under the direction of their coaches.
The enthusiasm and dedication paid off with both Kit and Kirk displaying improved boxing skills at the Bronze Gloves.
Both boxers will now return to the gym for more instruction to smooth out their stance and footwork, improve
their defense and sharping their punching skills for a chance to compete in more advanced competition.

Both RANNERIS and MUNRO along with other Jaycees boxers may get a chance to compete in Victoria in the
New Year. The officials of the club are presently in the feasibility stage of determining if the Jaycees c;ib
could hold regular club shows in Victoria.

Also, BERT LOWES, the BC Amateur Boxing Association director of referees and judges, has indicated
an interest in hosting a judges and referees clinic in Victoria to upgrade present officials and an attempt
to recruit and train new officials in the Victoria area.