THE MARC LEDUC BOXING STORY

It was 1989 and Marc Leduc and Dominic Filane Figliomeni were there.

THREE YEARS LATER - 1992

*The year was 1992 and Marc was selected for the
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.

CANADA's Boxing Hall of Fame

THE CANADIAN BOXING HALL OF FAME

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

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 

ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME NOMINEES

THE FIRST 50 NOMINEES:

 ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME

Asif Dar, Bev Cartier,  Billy Haines,  Billy Irwin, Billy Lehman,
Bobby Proulx Chris Johnson, Domenic Filane Figliomeni, 
Dave Vent, Dennis Bradley,     Dennis McNeil jr.,  Doug Trembley, 
Earl Walls, Egerton Marcus, Frank Bricker,  Gary Broughton, 
George Chuvalo, George Fraser, Hank Boone,  Horace Gwynne, 
Ian Clyde, Jerome "Hook" McComb, Joe Sandulo, 
Jamie Pagendam,   Jerry Doiron sr, John Kalbhenn,
Ken Hamilton, Lennox Lewis,  Marc Leduc, Mark Simmons, 
Michael Strange, Nicky Furlano, Patsy Fern, Peter Wylie 
Sammy Luftspring, Shawn O'Sullivan,   Steve Beaupre,
Steve Molitor,Steve Pagendam, Troy Ross, Walter Henry, 
 and Willie Feathersrone

FAMILIES: Baggio, Bland, Doiron, Nolan, Marsh, 
MacDonald, Rannelli,  Summerhayes,  

PARTICIPATION, ACHIEVEMENTS and HISTORY
Blasting through the decades, it is likely that there is more
information on the amateur boxing achievements of those
boxers that participated subsequent to 1969 with the formtion
of  the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association, but some of 
others such as Sammy Luftspring, Earl Walls
 and George Chuvalo   are better known due to their professional 
records. Others are recognized by BOXING CANADA
for their medal victories such as 

Horace "Lefty" Gwynne, Lennox Lewis, and Marc Leduc.
Some are recognized for being long term National champions
since 1969 which would include WALTER HENRY who was in
the Olympic Games in 1968 and was a National champion in 1970.
Some of the multi-term champions would include a number of the
other boxers starting with IAN CLYDE and followed by names 
such as Billy Irwin, Domenic Figliomeni, Steve Beaupre,,
and Michael  Strange.

Some are recognized in various Boxing or Sports
Halls of Fame such as GEORGE FRASER, STEVE BEAUPRE,
at least two members of the NOLAN family and others.
But when we get back to where it all begins, we cannot
forget that it should be the folks of Ontario that decide.
There are some names that are well known in Ontario
and/or some of the cities and towns  some examples
include HANK BOONE and KEN HAMILTON.

From ASIF DAR to the RANNELLI and SUMMERHAYES
families, there are many positive and progressive 
moments that have been produced by the select 50.

BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: NANAIMO BOXING

THE NANAIMO BOXING CLUB INDUCTED IN 2012
TO THE BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING 
HALL OF FAME:  By Brian Zelley

*BUT THE STORY BEGINS IN 1963 with GEORGE J. NEPPER

AND THE NEWCASTLE BOXING CLUB.

     To understand the Nanaimo
Boxing Club history, it is
important to recognize and
remember where it all began
in the history of amateur boxing
in Nanaimo during the Sixties.

For the opening round of the
story we need to revisit the 
1964 story that appeared in
Nanaimo Daily Free Press
titled: "Boxing Club Operates Despite All Handicaps"
with sub-headings "Shoemaker By Day, Trainer By Night".

The opening paragraph introduces the main star as
follows:
"George J. Nepper dusted off the rough and rickety bench
in the cramped basement quarters which houses his
Newcastle Boxing Club...Leaning on his cane...
George apologized for the lack of space in the dingy 
clubrooms of what probably is one of the most
important but least publicized sports organizations
in Nanaimo."

As the story continues about the boxing club and George,
it describes his role in the following words:
"...the former athlete, manager, trainer, coach and janitor,
matchmaker and father confessor to a small group of 
boxing hopefuls who train night after night for a chance
to take part in a boxing show." 

For a number of years, Nepper was hoping to start his
own boxing club, but it wasn't until 1963 that Jim Clark
offered the use of his hotel basement free of charge,
the NEWCASTLE BOXING CLUB came into being.

The active members at that time were Nepper's sons
Rene, Leon, Jules, Roger and Gilles, the Balatti
brothers Chris and Ted, Brian Zelley and Leo Rock.
But, there were other trainees, of which, some would
engage in ring competition.  Those early members 
were Brian Adam, Gerry Matson, Ron Wheatly, 
Reid Mitchell,  Mike Lazare, Phillip Joe,  Dave Ballance, 
Don Brown, Wayne Barnes, Jim Brown,
Leonard Brown and Lloyd Hepplewaite.

Those that helped in the training were:
Harry Pollitt, Frank and Albert Seriani, 
Lorne Roberts and Skimp Williams.  Rene
Nepper would also help in that first year of
operation. 

As the years flashed by, there would be many
other trainees to fill the various gym locations
such as Rick Johnson, Ken Stant, Alan Windecker,
Larry McFadden, Tony James and others. 

At the end of the 1968 season, the club would 
end it's days of activity, but all of the equipment
was retained by George J. Nepper who had the
hope and the dream, that the club could begin 
anew.  That day would come when the newly
created Nanaimo Boxing Club was formed in 1971.
So, through the vision of one, came the hopes and dreams
of many over 41 years ago in the summer of '71.

BOXING CHEMISTRY 101:
*From those pre-1971 days, to the formation of the club
in 1971 and the long journey  into the start of the fifth 
decade there have been many involved in the progress
and the success.  But, when all is said and done it was
boxing chemistry 101 that provided the fuel that would
see the club operating with many achievements for so 
many yars.  That chemistry would be found in the form
of: the old shoemaker, George Nepper, the  force behind
the old  Newcastle boxing club, the teenage exploits of a 
current Prince George coach named Bob Pegues.

That chemistry would be the wisdom and vision
of the old shoemaker, and the hope, wishes and
dreams of the young teenager.  

BOB PEGUES in the mid-Seventies

Bob Peues, the coach

2010

(with Prince George boxer Jag Seehra)

BEYOND NANAIMO and onto VICTORIA

*Another new beginning: 1974

        *****  IAN WEIR  *****  MIKE CAIRD ***** BRIAN ZELLEY *****

The above photo is one that highlights the big revival of amateur boxing in
Victoria, BC in the mid Seventies. After this photo, the London Boxing &Athletic 
club renewed there support of amateur boxing in 1974/75 season. In 1976, 
boxer Wayne Crowe would win the 1976 BC Golden Gloves and fight in 
the 1976 Nationals. And in June 1976 the club would host one of the
English schoolboy vs BC juniors tournaments.

In August 1976, with formation of the Victoria Athletic Association, they 
would sponser amateur boxing and the first three coaches would be
Mike Caird, Brian Zelley and Lou Bujdose.

BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME

BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL of FAME:
THE   2012 INDUCTEES: by Brian Zelley

*The final  list of 16 are
listed above. each one has a story and in some cases the boxing
journey of each individual crosses over the years.  So this is
a story about the various connections and common areas
 of experience and excellence and events.

*the obvious common point is they are all connected is some way to the
Provincial boxing association, and a connection to BOXING CANADA.

Roger Adolph: former boxer and current boxing coach was at one time
a member of the South Hill/Firefighters boxing clubs in Vancouver 
under the direction of  BERT LOWES and PAT WEST.

THE PRINCE GEORGE CONNECTION:
Three of the boxers have a connection to boxing in Prince George:
ALLAN BAYNE, LAURIE MANN and MANDY LAPOINTE.
Allan and Laurie are also alumni of the Spruce Capital Boxing 
Club, they are also inductees of the Prince George Sports Hall 

of Fame.  

VANCOUVER ISLAND CONNECTIONS:
*Builders George Shiels and Charles John are both
former coaches of the Campbell River Eagles Boxing Club.
And, the Nanaimo Boxing Club is one of the boxing clubs
on Vancouver Island.  Olympic boxer Donnie Orr  is a
former Victoria based amateur boxer that participated
in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, and won a 
Canadian National title in 2001.

*However, some of the others have been involved in 
amateur and/or professional  boxing activity on
Vancouver Island such as Laurie Mann and Michael
Olajide. They both had some of their early pro fights
on Vancouver Island.  Allan Bayne was a member of  
Canada's 1994 Commonwealth Games Boxing team
and Bert Lowes was a volunteer at those Games.

Bert Lowes, however,  did much more than act as
a security volunteer in '94.  We can trace his steps
back to the Fifties as a coach of the South Hill
boxing club that participated in boxing activity
in Victoria, and his role in the Sixties as a coach
of the Firefighters boxing club that saw action
in club shows in Victoria and Port Alberni.
and, during much of the Seventies and Eighties
Lowes was a boxing official that travelled to 
the various locations on the Island from Gold River
to Victoria engaged his official duties in the ring
and at ringside.  He also directed some of the 
officials boxing clinics on the Island.

As the president of Boxing BC in the nid to late 
Eighties, GEORGE ARMSONS was a regular
visitor to Vancouver Island  including the 1984 
Vancouver  Island Amateur Boxing
Championships held in Parksville.  In a special
bout in that tournament, TONY DUFFY would
earn a victory in a box-off against an Island 
boxer to be selected for the BC team that would
participate in the 1984 Junior Nationals Amateur
Boxing Champinship held in Burnaby from
May 25 to 27th.  Three members of the 
Boxing BC board of directors involved in that
Island tournament
 would also be involved in 
the Junior Nationals tournament  including
Bert Lowes, Brian Zelley and George Armson. 

Mandy LaPointe, the first woman boxer 
to be inducted into the British Columbia
Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL OLAJIDE jr.

*Michael did not have a long amateur boxing journey and would 
turn pro before he was a senior boxer.  In won of his last amateur
tournaments.  He would win in the 1981 Golden Gloves.

Back in 1981, Michael and 2011 inductee Jamie Ollenberger were
members of the Kingsway Boxing Club in Vancouver.  Both of them
would shine at that tournament along with  boxer  Gary Robinson
of the Victria Athetic Association (VAA).

But, by the end of 1981, Michael "The Silk" Olajide would turn
pro and have his first three pro fights in Victoria.  Then he would
have others in British Columbia before moving to New York.