NICKY FURLANO, a Canadian champion

http://www.facebook.com/groups/421613924515423/
The official fan site for Canadian boxer Nicky Furlono
established by noted boxing authority Lou Joshua Essen.

The Nicky Furlano boxing journey: by brian zelley

Introduction:

I first heard about Nicky Furlano many years ago during his early days

as a professional boxing, but in recent years, I have got to communicatie

with Nicky and many of his friends and fans.  In recent months, Nicky was

one of 18 folks that became the core group of inductees in the 

ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME.

     *a showcase of some outstanding boxers form Ontario over the years

Nicky like many top professional boxers had his beginnings in

amateur boxing.  He would box from Ontario and would be a

classy amateur, but his path in the sport would not travel 

through the CANADIAN AMATEUR BOXING ASSOCIATION.

To understand and appreciate the excellence of Nicky, it

is important to get back to the about section of the 

"the official fan site of Nicky Furlano" prepared by

Lou J.  Essen:

"The official Nicky Furlano FB Fan Page is dedicated  to

celebrating the tremendous accomplishments both in and

out of the ring of one of Canada's most beloved athletes and

greatest ever lightweight champion Nicky Furlano."

THE FURLANO PRO JOURNEY

Nicky had an interesting pro boxing journey that lasted from 1976
to 1984 with some Canadian, North American and word titles on 
the line.

Furlano made his pro debut on October 23, 1976 with a victory over
Danny Stokes, and closed out in 1984 with a stoppage of boxer
Rick Spencer at the Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Ontario.

In the interim, Nicky fought his share of world class bouts against
some of Canada's and the world's best boxers.  Some names that
must be mentioned include:
Al Ford, Gaetan Hart, Davey Lee Armstrong and Aaron Pryor.

* when another boxer things so much of  one of the all time greats such
as Willie Pep, it is likely they would produce some of the same skills.
And, by all accounts, Nicky Furlano was one of Canada's technically
skilled champions who understood the importance of effective movement.

NICKY FURLANO  Photos:

STANLEY F. SMITH

THE STANLEY F. SMITH BOXING STORY:

- by brian w. zelley

Introduction:

When we look through the long history of amateur boxing

in British Columbia an important figure was that of 

Stanley F. Smith who was always there on the front lines,

or behind the scenes getting things done, organizing and

recognizing the many others in the form of nominations,

presentation of awards or assisting a boxing team.

Stan was involved in the pre-Boxing Canada era that

began in 1969 and continued to volunteer in the

new era of 1969 and beyond.  He had even served on the

Board of Directors of the BC Amateur Boxing Association

in the eighties, and stayed in contact with many ex-boxers

and builders long after his active years.

Stan Smith in 1971.

ADMINISTRATION PLUS:

(original photo courtesy of Freddy Fuller at one of the

Golden Glove tournaments: Stan Smith with Freddy Fuller, 

Elio Ius, Clint Page and Bert Lowes.)

In the sixties, he was not only involved with the East Vancouver Optimists Boxing Club but would also travel to some of those Golden Glove tournaments in Washington state such as  the Tacoma Golden Gloves or the Seattle Golden Gloves.

STAN still rocking in the Seventies 

*Following the formation of Boxing Canada, and
 the revision of the British Columbia Amateur
Boxing Association, Stan  was still active in
many areas and could always be seen at

ringside at the many boxing tournaments
while serving in some capacity.

This routine followed into the Eighties.

Honorary Life Member of The BCABA:

*With his long and outstanding service to amateur boxing,

Stan Smith would become a life honorary member along

with some others such as:

*Pat West, Joe Magri, Al Decarie,  Don Cowan, Dave Brown and Harry Twist.

*Stanley F. S;mith takes the role of 

announcer with the presentation of

a special award to the pioneer of

BC amateur boxing 

Tommy Paonessa.

Tommy is also a honorary 

life member of Boxing BC.

2013 NOMINEE FOR THE BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL
*A well deserved nominee for 2013, Stan smith is one of 30 nominees
that will be considered for selection.  For many years, Stan was involved in
recognizing and praising boxers, coaches and officials and presenting 
them awards or recommendations for some special
award of selection process/

TACOMA GOLDEN GLOVES

BOXING BC Boxers Plan for 2014 Tacoma Golden Gloves
Boxing BC has been invited to attend the 2O14 tournæment/
Boxer KENNY LALLY is expected to be one of the team boxers.

BC AMATEUR BOXING IN 1969: by brian zelley

Over the decades, BC boxers have competed in 
the Tacoma golden gloves, Oriegon golden gloves
and the Seattle golden gloves.  

1969 TACOMA GOLDEN GLOVES
The Tacoma Golden Gloves was always a good tournament
to kick-off the serious boxing period between January and May
of each year.  Often BC boxers would have a good showing
with a reasonable share of boxers in the finals.  

The year 1969 was no different.  At the end of the tournament
eight BC boxers would compete for the various titles with
four winning titles.  The four were:

Firefighters boxing club: Frank Scott and Kenny MacDonald.
Prince George - Paul DiBenedetto, North West Eagles - Earl McLeay.
Earl was training in Calgary but would compete for the 
North West Eagles in the 1969 tournament.

Four boxers would compete in the finals but would not win titles.
They would include Buzz Montour, Chester Douglas, 
Joe Cooke and Norm DesLauriers




(photo of the 1973 tournament to recognize the silver anniversary of 
the Tacoma Golden Gloves organzied by the Tacoma Athletic Commission)

The 23rd Annual  tournament in 1971.

Alumni of the Tacoma Golden Gloves.
Brian Zelley, Ray Lampkin
Wayne Boyce, Frank Scott

Many boxers over the history
of the Tacoma Golden Gloves
have been from BC clubs.

Two standout boxers that
faced each other in the 
finals of the 1967
Diamond Belt were
Dave Wylie and 
Fred Fuller.
And, in 1970
Gordie Lawson would
enter the tournament

Gordie Lawson, Alumni of the Tacoma Golden Gloves

Shawn O'Sullivan not forgotten | Local | News | The Belleville Intelligencer

Shawn O'Sullivan not forgotten | Local | News | The Belleville Intelligencer

Shawn O'Sullivan not forgotten | Local | News | The Belleville Intelligencer

Shawn O'Sullivan not forgotten | Local | News | The Belleville Intelligencer

BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL of FAME - 2013 - Blogs - Boxing Forums

BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL of FAME - 2013 - Blogs - Boxing Forums

An announcement of the number of nominees as of September 30, 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.

              JIM GALLAGHER and boxers at the boxing gym

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.