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.
Monday, May 14, 2012
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:
Friday, April 20, 2012
UNSUNG HEROES OF BC AMATEUR BOXING
UNSUNG HEROES: By Brian Zelley
Looking back there are many unsung heroes in amateur boxing,
and boxing in British Columbia is no exception. One only has to
compare the boxing inductees into the British Columbia Sports
Hall of Fame to those Provincial hall of fame inductees in places
like Nova Scotia and Alberta to realize persons involved in
amateur boxing have been short changed by the decision makers.
As the editor of the BC Amateur Boxing News in the eighties, one
of my objectives was to recognize the many folks involved in the
sport in the eighties, but also look back to names and events of
the past in the form of FLASHBACKS or GOLDEN MEMORIES.
*** Howard Curling, an unsung hero with a background in boxing***
(reprint from the "BC Amateur Boxing News" by brian zelley
for June 1985.
PROFILE: HOWARD CURLING
Howard Curlin, a Victoria based official, has been involved in
amateur boxing in British Columbia for over thirty years. Some
of the highlights of his involvement include activity as a coach,
referee, judge, boxing commissioner and past president of the
Greater Victoria Amateur Boxing Association.
During the Fifties, Howard was a boxing coach with the
Victoria Fire Department boxing club and an official.
In 1956, Howard was the president of the GVABA when
the Victoria Optimists sponsored the International
Tournament of Champions.
In the mid-Seventies, Curling was appointed by the
British Columbia Amateur Boxing Association has the
Island Commissioner amateur boxing on Vancouver Island.
One of his achievements was the organization of the
"English Schoolboy vs BC Junior Selects" tournament in
Victoria in June of 1976.
In the Eighties, Howard has continued to serve the sport of
boxing by his participation as a judge. One of his achievements
was being part of a very important team that pushed for the
revival of the Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing Championships.
It was over a year in the making, but the team prevailed and
revived the tournament in 1984 at Parksville. Despite the many
barriers, it was well worth the effort. It was an Island tournament
that gave an opportunity for all Island boxers to participate in
open and novice junior, intermediate and senior competition.
Since September 1983, Howard has also been
one of the select few that is a regular contributor
to the "BC Amateur Boxing News".
Throughout the Province of British Columbia,
there are many unsung heroes who devote their
time, energy, experience and effort
to ensure the sport of amateur boxing remains
a viable activity for the youth of our province.
HOWARD CURLING is just one of many.
Looking back there are many unsung heroes in amateur boxing,
and boxing in British Columbia is no exception. One only has to
compare the boxing inductees into the British Columbia Sports
Hall of Fame to those Provincial hall of fame inductees in places
like Nova Scotia and Alberta to realize persons involved in
amateur boxing have been short changed by the decision makers.
As the editor of the BC Amateur Boxing News in the eighties, one
of my objectives was to recognize the many folks involved in the
sport in the eighties, but also look back to names and events of
the past in the form of FLASHBACKS or GOLDEN MEMORIES.
*** Howard Curling, an unsung hero with a background in boxing***
(reprint from the "BC Amateur Boxing News" by brian zelley
for June 1985.
PROFILE: HOWARD CURLING
Howard Curlin, a Victoria based official, has been involved in
amateur boxing in British Columbia for over thirty years. Some
of the highlights of his involvement include activity as a coach,
referee, judge, boxing commissioner and past president of the
Greater Victoria Amateur Boxing Association.
During the Fifties, Howard was a boxing coach with the
Victoria Fire Department boxing club and an official.
In 1956, Howard was the president of the GVABA when
the Victoria Optimists sponsored the International
Tournament of Champions.
In the mid-Seventies, Curling was appointed by the
British Columbia Amateur Boxing Association has the
Island Commissioner amateur boxing on Vancouver Island.
One of his achievements was the organization of the
"English Schoolboy vs BC Junior Selects" tournament in
Victoria in June of 1976.
In the Eighties, Howard has continued to serve the sport of
boxing by his participation as a judge. One of his achievements
was being part of a very important team that pushed for the
revival of the Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing Championships.
It was over a year in the making, but the team prevailed and
revived the tournament in 1984 at Parksville. Despite the many
barriers, it was well worth the effort. It was an Island tournament
that gave an opportunity for all Island boxers to participate in
open and novice junior, intermediate and senior competition.
Since September 1983, Howard has also been
one of the select few that is a regular contributor
to the "BC Amateur Boxing News".
Throughout the Province of British Columbia,
there are many unsung heroes who devote their
time, energy, experience and effort
to ensure the sport of amateur boxing remains
a viable activity for the youth of our province.
HOWARD CURLING is just one of many.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
SPRUCE CAPITAL BOXING
THE SPRUCE CAPITAL BOXING STORY: by brian zelley
Introduction
Today in 2012 it is called the Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing
Club coached Prince George sports hall of fame inductee
WAYNE SPONAGLE. For the complete story, we need
to go back to the days and years of IRVING and HAROLD MANN.
== JACK MEDA ==
In the late sixties and early Seventies
on of the boxing starswas heavyweight
Jack Meda who is an inductee of the
Prince George Sports Hall of Fame.
Along the way there would be many
other excellent boxers such as
Harold Handlin, Laurie Rorick,
Sid McKnight, Laurie Mann,
Buzz Montour and many others
in recent years such as
2012 Canadian silver medalist
light-heavyweight boxer
Thomas Speirs and Marcus Hume. In 1972, the
listed club officials were Harold Mann and Doug Martin.
== ALLAN BAYNE ==
Some may remember boxer ALLAN BAYNE. In 1984,
Allan would take part in the Silver Gloves that were
held Decenber 17 th. Bain would fight his way into
the finals as a junior open boxer and win against a
boxer from Cranbrook, BC. Some other well known
junior open boxers in that tournament were
Jason Downie, Tony Duffy, Paul Deluca, Manny Sobral,
Alan Brown and Troy Taylor.
But many more tournaments would take place over the
years. Ten years after that Silver Gloves victory as a
junior boxer Bayne would be part of the Canadian
Commonwealth Games boxing team in 1994.
Some of the Canadian boxers and coaches
1994 Commonwealth Games, Victoria, BC
*Some may remember Dennis Rorick when he boxed in the Sixties and
made it into the finals of the 1967 Diamond Belt tournament and
faced Donato Paduano in the finals.
== SID MCKNIGHT ==
Sid is one
of the few
former
BC based
Olympic
boxers.
The Eighties:
During the eighties many Spruce Capital boxers engaged in
club shows and tournaments including:
Curtis Mann, Steve Noel, Todd Hatley, Tyler Walker,
Tyler Piddocke, Vince Schryver and Wade Csntelope.
In the 1984 Bronze Gloves, the Bronze Boy was
Tyler Piddocke of Prince George. The Bronze Boy runner-up
was Trent Storey of Gold River.
The Dawn of a New Age for Spruce Capital Boxers:
Fast forward to March 2013, and boxer Thomas Speirs
makes his pro debut with succes to begin a new journey
along the path of many Canadian professional boxers.
His long time club mate Marcus Hume was on the
Spruce Capital Boxing Club hosted card in an
amateur bout which he won.
Coach Wayne Sponagle
and Marcus Hume joined
Thomas Speirs at a news
coference prior to the
boxing show to discuss
the journey of club
member Thomas Speirs.
Introduction
Today in 2012 it is called the Spruce Capital Warriors Boxing
Club coached Prince George sports hall of fame inductee
WAYNE SPONAGLE. For the complete story, we need
to go back to the days and years of IRVING and HAROLD MANN.
== JACK MEDA ==
on of the boxing starswas heavyweight
Jack Meda who is an inductee of the
Prince George Sports Hall of Fame.
Along the way there would be many
other excellent boxers such as
Harold Handlin, Laurie Rorick,
Sid McKnight, Laurie Mann,
Buzz Montour and many others
in recent years such as
2012 Canadian silver medalist
light-heavyweight boxer
Thomas Speirs and Marcus Hume. In 1972, the
listed club officials were Harold Mann and Doug Martin.
== ALLAN BAYNE ==
Some may remember boxer ALLAN BAYNE. In 1984,
Allan would take part in the Silver Gloves that were
held Decenber 17 th. Bain would fight his way into
the finals as a junior open boxer and win against a
boxer from Cranbrook, BC. Some other well known
junior open boxers in that tournament were
Jason Downie, Tony Duffy, Paul Deluca, Manny Sobral,
Alan Brown and Troy Taylor.
But many more tournaments would take place over the
years. Ten years after that Silver Gloves victory as a
junior boxer Bayne would be part of the Canadian
Commonwealth Games boxing team in 1994.
1994 Commonwealth Games, Victoria, BC
*Some may remember Dennis Rorick when he boxed in the Sixties and
made it into the finals of the 1967 Diamond Belt tournament and
faced Donato Paduano in the finals.
== SID MCKNIGHT ==
of the few
former
BC based
Olympic
boxers.
The Eighties:
During the eighties many Spruce Capital boxers engaged in
club shows and tournaments including:
Curtis Mann, Steve Noel, Todd Hatley, Tyler Walker,
Tyler Piddocke, Vince Schryver and Wade Csntelope.
In the 1984 Bronze Gloves, the Bronze Boy was
Tyler Piddocke of Prince George. The Bronze Boy runner-up
was Trent Storey of Gold River.
The Dawn of a New Age for Spruce Capital Boxers:
Fast forward to March 2013, and boxer Thomas Speirs
makes his pro debut with succes to begin a new journey
along the path of many Canadian professional boxers.
His long time club mate Marcus Hume was on the
Spruce Capital Boxing Club hosted card in an
amateur bout which he won.
and Marcus Hume joined
Thomas Speirs at a news
coference prior to the
boxing show to discuss
the journey of club
member Thomas Speirs.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
BEYOND THE GOLDEN YEARS, THE ROAD TO GLORY 1969 TO 1984
THE ROAD TO OLYMPIC GLORY: By Brian Zelley
Introduction:
The years 1939 to 1968 are
considered the Golden Age
of Amateur Boxing.
Boxing in British Columbia
and other parts of Cnada
would change with the
formation of the Canadian
Amateur Boxing Association
and each Province such as the
British Columbia Amateur Boxing
Association would start a new course which would lead to
Olympic Glory in 1984 when three boxers from Canada
including Dale Walters of Burnaby, British Columbia
would win medals. The other two being Willie DeWit
and Shawn O'Sullivan. That historical highlight would
be repeated with medals in 1988.
(photo - Dale Walters and
Lennie Walters - Olympic boxers
Dale 1984, Lennie 1948)
Sixteen Years To Achieve that Moment of Glory:
*Those 16 years from 1969
to 1984 would be filled with
many interesting events in the sport of amateur boxing in British Columbia.
Some Highliughts:
1969: Neil Knight, Seattle
BC GOLDEN GLOVES action had Seattle boxer Neil Knight winning the annual Golden Boy award. In 1968, it was Portland's Ray Lampkin
1970: Golden Gloves to be hosted by Boxing BC (BCABA), in the past it was sponsored
and hosted by various community groups such as the Optimists and the Lions Clubs.
*1970 Golden Gloves boxers from British Columbia*
1970: The Campbell River Eagles Boxing Club becomes an official boxing club.
1971: The Nanaimo Boxing Club is founded by Brian Zelley and Dan Wright,
1972: Chris Ius and Les Hamilton join the Canadian Olympic boxing team.
1974:
Major revival in amateur boxing in Greater Victoria with
Mike Caird, Gordie McGaw and Larry Montgomery receives a boost
with the arrival of Ian Weir, Dan Wright, and Brian Zelley to help in a
major program to improve boxing in the Capital City.
*news reporter for the "Victorian" does a major story
for amateur boxing with a piece titled:
"Boxing Back From Ropes", November 22, 1974
(Weir - Caird - Zelley" photo by Jim Ryan)
1976:
*Howard Curling appointed Island
Commissioner for Vancouver Island
by the BC boxing president of the BCABA.
*BC Junior Selects face British Schoolboy
boxers for North-west England
in two tournaments in Vancouver and Victoria.
The president of the British Columbia Amateur Boxing Association
*Chris Ius and Sid McKnight join the Canadian Olympic boxing team.
*The Victoria Athletic Association is formed and replaces the old
London Boxing Club to sponsor and promote amateur boxing.
1978:
* The Nanaimo Boxing Club hosts the first of many of it's
Bathtub Capital Golden Gloves events.
*the Nanaimo Daily Free Press" reporter Colin Gibson's
headline:
"Golden Gloves Tournament A Thumping Success"
- the Nanaimo show featured boxers from around BC
and the Pacific Northwest such as:
Chuck Robinson, Brett and Todd Summers,
Alex Bankier, Gordie Lawson, Alex Angelomatis, Barry Creswell, Ed McCaffrey,
John Hunter, Shane Anderson and juniors such as Don Preston and Mary Burton.
*1978 Bronze Gloves hosted by the Cloverdale Boxing Club.
Nanaimo boxers in action were Don Preston, Lyle Jack and
Ron Williams.
*Boxing in Victoria expands when Lou Bujdoso forms the
Victoria Jaycees Boxing Club.
* The Nanaimo Boxing Club hosts it's second Bathtub
Capital Golden Gloves tournament in Nanaimo.
1979:
*BC Winter Games held in Kamloops.
*1979 Silver Gloves held in Chilliwack March 23 and 24 '79.
*May '79 Second Bathtub Capital Golden Gloves held in
Nanaimo with a cross section of boxers from BC including
junior boxers Alan Brown , Gary Ivers, and Marty Burton.
1980:
*The BC Diamond Belt Championships are revived
and are hosted by the Victoria Jaycees Boxing Club.
*Rick Brough, the new Island Commissioner builds a
team to help amateur boxing grow and expand on
Vancouver Island.
*Alan Brown of the Gold River boxing club wins
a Canadian championship in the Junior Nationals.
*In Golden Gloves action boxer Jamie Ollenberger becomes
the first BC star of the Eighties with his performance.
BEYOND 1984:
*To get beyond 1984, it is necessary to look at the quality
and quantity of the junior or intermediate boxers of 1980
to 1984 some of which would become top rated senior
open boxers from 1985 into the Nineties.
== 1984 Junior Golden Gloves ==
*As good a place to start as any would be the 1984
junior golden gloves and three names of interest
would be TONY DUFFY of the Sunshine Boxing Club,
MANNY SOBRAL of the Shamrock Boxing Club and
MIKE WOOD of the Campbell River Eagles Boxing Club,.
At the end of the competition it would the "Sunshine Kid"
TONY DUFFY that would earn the Golden Boy award.
*A month after that tournament for the best juniors,
some of them would participate in the Junior Nationals.
BC champions would be AARON WOLFE and WILLY CURRY.
FLASHBACK TO 1983
*It was the Silver Gloves tournament that would include
open junior boxers and some of the names of boxers
that would be an important part of the post 1984 period
would include:
Allan Bain (Spruce Capital Boxing Club, Prince George),
Alan Brown (Gold River Boxing Club, Gold River),
Tony Duffy (Sunshine Boxing Club)
Manny Sobral (Shamrock Boxing Club)
*in novice senior and intermediate boxing some
standouts would include:
Jason Trottier (Burnaby boxing club)
Hail King (Shamrock boxing club)
Both Jason and Hail would win convincing victories over
boxers from the Astoria boxing club.
Introduction:
The years 1939 to 1968 are
considered the Golden Age
of Amateur Boxing.
Boxing in British Columbia
and other parts of Cnada
would change with the
formation of the Canadian
Amateur Boxing Association
and each Province such as the
British Columbia Amateur Boxing
Association would start a new course which would lead to
Olympic Glory in 1984 when three boxers from Canada
including Dale Walters of Burnaby, British Columbia
would win medals. The other two being Willie DeWit
and Shawn O'Sullivan. That historical highlight would
be repeated with medals in 1988.
Lennie Walters - Olympic boxers
Dale 1984, Lennie 1948)
Sixteen Years To Achieve that Moment of Glory:
*Those 16 years from 1969
to 1984 would be filled with
many interesting events in the sport of amateur boxing in British Columbia.
Some Highliughts:
1969: Neil Knight, Seattle
1970: Golden Gloves to be hosted by Boxing BC (BCABA), in the past it was sponsored
and hosted by various community groups such as the Optimists and the Lions Clubs.
1970: The Campbell River Eagles Boxing Club becomes an official boxing club.
1971: The Nanaimo Boxing Club is founded by Brian Zelley and Dan Wright,
1972: Chris Ius and Les Hamilton join the Canadian Olympic boxing team.
1974:
Major revival in amateur boxing in Greater Victoria with
Mike Caird, Gordie McGaw and Larry Montgomery receives a boost
with the arrival of Ian Weir, Dan Wright, and Brian Zelley to help in a
major program to improve boxing in the Capital City.
*news reporter for the "Victorian" does a major story
for amateur boxing with a piece titled:
"Boxing Back From Ropes", November 22, 1974
(Weir - Caird - Zelley" photo by Jim Ryan)
1976:
*Howard Curling appointed Island
Commissioner for Vancouver Island
by the BC boxing president of the BCABA.
*BC Junior Selects face British Schoolboy
boxers for North-west England
in two tournaments in Vancouver and Victoria.
The president of the British Columbia Amateur Boxing Association
*Chris Ius and Sid McKnight join the Canadian Olympic boxing team.
London Boxing Club to sponsor and promote amateur boxing.
1978:
* The Nanaimo Boxing Club hosts the first of many of it's
Bathtub Capital Golden Gloves events.
*the Nanaimo Daily Free Press" reporter Colin Gibson's
headline:
"Golden Gloves Tournament A Thumping Success"
- the Nanaimo show featured boxers from around BC
and the Pacific Northwest such as:
Chuck Robinson, Brett and Todd Summers,
Alex Bankier, Gordie Lawson, Alex Angelomatis, Barry Creswell, Ed McCaffrey,
John Hunter, Shane Anderson and juniors such as Don Preston and Mary Burton.
*1978 Bronze Gloves hosted by the Cloverdale Boxing Club.
Nanaimo boxers in action were Don Preston, Lyle Jack and
Ron Williams.
*Boxing in Victoria expands when Lou Bujdoso forms the
Victoria Jaycees Boxing Club.
* The Nanaimo Boxing Club hosts it's second Bathtub
Capital Golden Gloves tournament in Nanaimo.
1979:
*BC Winter Games held in Kamloops.
*1979 Silver Gloves held in Chilliwack March 23 and 24 '79.
*May '79 Second Bathtub Capital Golden Gloves held in
Nanaimo with a cross section of boxers from BC including
junior boxers Alan Brown , Gary Ivers, and Marty Burton.
1980:
*The BC Diamond Belt Championships are revived
and are hosted by the Victoria Jaycees Boxing Club.
*Rick Brough, the new Island Commissioner builds a
team to help amateur boxing grow and expand on
Vancouver Island.
a Canadian championship in the Junior Nationals.
*In Golden Gloves action boxer Jamie Ollenberger becomes
the first BC star of the Eighties with his performance.
BEYOND 1984:
*To get beyond 1984, it is necessary to look at the quality
and quantity of the junior or intermediate boxers of 1980
to 1984 some of which would become top rated senior
open boxers from 1985 into the Nineties.
== 1984 Junior Golden Gloves ==
*As good a place to start as any would be the 1984
junior golden gloves and three names of interest
would be TONY DUFFY of the Sunshine Boxing Club,
MANNY SOBRAL of the Shamrock Boxing Club and
MIKE WOOD of the Campbell River Eagles Boxing Club,.
At the end of the competition it would the "Sunshine Kid"
TONY DUFFY that would earn the Golden Boy award.
*A month after that tournament for the best juniors,
some of them would participate in the Junior Nationals.
BC champions would be AARON WOLFE and WILLY CURRY.
FLASHBACK TO 1983
*It was the Silver Gloves tournament that would include
open junior boxers and some of the names of boxers
that would be an important part of the post 1984 period
would include:
Allan Bain (Spruce Capital Boxing Club, Prince George),
Alan Brown (Gold River Boxing Club, Gold River),
Tony Duffy (Sunshine Boxing Club)
Manny Sobral (Shamrock Boxing Club)
*in novice senior and intermediate boxing some
standouts would include:
Jason Trottier (Burnaby boxing club)
Hail King (Shamrock boxing club)
Both Jason and Hail would win convincing victories over
boxers from the Astoria boxing club.
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