BC AMATEUR BOXINGS NEW HORIZONS - 2011

FROM THE ASHES TO THE BRIGHT FLAMING STARS - By: Brian W. Zelley -

The Moody Blues: "Vast vision must improve our sight"...

As a follow-up to OUT OF THE SHADOWS, I see a new horizon for the sport of amateur boxing in British Columbia.
I saw in it in the faces of some of the novice boxers in Victoria in April 2010, and I saw it in the faces of some of the officials
and coaches and ex-boxers that paraded into the ring along with George Chuvalo and some of the stories.

But, I saw it in the faces and heard
 it in the voices of members of the new or revived clubs as they look forward to more
activity in future days. But, the brightest stories were some of the post-boxing stories
of the boxers that regardlessof the results many realized it was just a learning experience
and they would do better next time.

THe good news is, the final day of the 2010 BC Golden Gloves was only12 days ago
and some of the boxing clubs are working on the improvements that will be necessary
 if the young boxers hope to step onto the path that will lead to the "Road To Excellence"
where all things are possible with dedication, desire and determination.

Most may never reach the victory stand in a National or International tournament,
but if they strife to be the best that they can be, then they
will stand-out as true Champions of the sport of amateur boxing.

However, the road will always be paved with unknowns and setbacks, so now is the time
for all amateur boxing clubs in British Columbia and Canada to look forward to the
new horizons and reach out to make all things possible. Part of that new beginning
will be for all clubs in each region to join together and through open and timely
communication, enthusiastic co-operation,
and with a clear vision make things happen and open the doors
to the many paths that will lead each willing trainee
to the "road to excellence" without setbacks, barriers and limited competition.

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

OUT OF THE SHADOWS: By Brian W. Zelley -

LOOKING BACK it has been a long time since entering a boxing gym. Before 2010, the last visit was 1999.
Attending a live boxing match has been a long time coming, before 2010, the last time was during the
1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria Although involved with some of the planning between 1989 to 1992
by the time 1994 rolled around, I was just another face in the crowd. In 2010, it was interesting visiting the
Capital City Boxing Club and attending the 2010 BC Golden Gloves and meeting folks from the past and present
including Canadian great GEORGE CHUVALO. It was an opportunity to hear about the Golden Dreams of todasy.

Looking back so many folks from the Sixties throughout the Eighties did so much for the sport of Amateur Boxing,
but many are gone or just faded memories or the great unknown by most involved in amateur boxing in 2010.

Looking through the pages of Municipal or the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fames, the sport of boxing appears to be overlooked, but November 21, 2009 became an important date for amateur boxing in British Columbia and Greater Victoria
when former boxer and coach Mike Caird was inducted into Greater Victoria Sports Halll of Fame as a builder in the
area of coaching. Although Caird is one of many involved in the building of amateur boxing in Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, it was a good choice because he is likely the best known for his involvement between 1995 and 2001. For folks like
Howard Curling, Rick Brough, and others it is too late as they are gone and largely forgotten and are unlikely to have their names
included on any Municipal Sports Hall of Fame. Curling for instance was there in the Fifties as a coach and administrator and there in the Eighties to help organize the sport on Vancouver Island.

On the Provincial level only seven persons that have been involved in boxing are recognized as inductees. Considering
the Golden Gloves began in 1939, that is less than one boxer or builder per decade. That my friends is wrong and
unfair - there are many worthy folks that should be inducted as athletes or builders, but as of 2010 the years keep
passing them by. Many are now forgotten or just faded memories by sports fans or those that operate the sport today.
Some possible names to consider include the late Frank Scott and Elio Ius , or 1968 Olympian Dick Findlay and others like
Stanley F. Smith. Or beyond Greater Vancouver a few others could be considered while we follow the golden dreams of the
today's warriors in their moment of glory.

October 1984

BC AMATEUR BOXING NEWS - October 1984 - Editor, Brian Zelley

For the month of October, there wasn't much in the way of current news to report, but communications with folks like Jerry Shears (Quebec) and Ainslie Frame of Ottawa's "Beaver Boxing Club" did provide some National data such as a focus on
Ontario boxer Steve Beaupre and the list of the 1984 National Champions.

In Seniors it was Steve Beaupre to Lennox Lewis in Intermediate it was Vitto Salvatore to S. Hervieux and in the Juniors held in Burnaby, BC it was Norman Tynes to Willy Curry. As a special awards judge along with Tommy Yule and Glynn Jones it
was a time of concentration watching all the Junior bouts in detail when it got down to the final selection it wasn't easy picking between Eric Grenier, Scotty Olson and Stewart Hilton. But, Grenier was picked in 1984.

An added addition to the News was a submission by Carol Brown of Gold River - she sent two photos of Canadian boxer Greg Johnson sparring with Alan Brown and break dancing in the Village Square.

A real special part of the edition was listing Canada's carded amateur boxers 1972 to 1984.
How many remember names like - Ian Clyde, Cleve Denny, Bryan Gibson, Kevin Howard, George Mason,
the Nolan folks Brian, Frank & Steve Nolan and others such as Carmen Rinke and Lawrence Rolfe.

BC AMATEUR BOXING NEWS

Photo: Alan Brown

BC AMATEUR BOXING NEWS (November 1983 to January 1986) - Editor, Brian W. Zelley, B. Com, C A

It all began following the production of two issues of the Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing News for the Spring and Fall of
1983, when I was elected to the Board of Directors of the British Columbia Amateur Boxing Association and served as the
newsletter editor. The first issue in November 1983, featured a variety of current stories, past events, and a few pictures
such as the pictures of past president Fred Fuller, Director of Referees & Judges and former coach of the South Hill and
the Vancouver Firefighters boxing clubs H A (Bert) Lowes and past president Walter T. Boyce.

But in reality, the boxing writing began in 1967 when I was a boxer with Nanaimo's Newcastle Boxing Club and took over
from founding coach George Nepper to write boxing reports for the "Nanaimo Times", that was a good introduction to
journalism which was much different than school essays. Later when I formed the Nanaimo Boxing Club along with
former Vancouver Firefighters boxing club member Dan Wright , we realized it was important to have effective and accurate news and contact with the News Media, so I quickly visited the sports editors of the Nanaimo Times and Nanaimo Daily Free Press.

Even after leaving the Nanaimo club to work on the revival of boxing in Victoria, I continued to communicate with the
the Nanaimo print media. But in Victoria, from about 1974 to 1981, I was in contact with members of the print media,
radio and CHECK TV to keep them aware of the boxing beat.

Another couple of important tests in sports reporting was having a report of a BC Bronze Gloves Tournament reported in
the bible of boxing "The Ring" magazine, and a piece in Lee Kerr's "Boxing Bull" column in "Boxing Illustrated".
A local Greater Victoria weekly sports newspaper called "The Sportcaster" was also an important avenue to spread
the word of amateur boxing in Victoria and other locations in Brtitish Columbia.

NOVEMBER 1983 "BC Amateur Boxing News"

The first issue of 1983/1984 included numerous photos of boxers, officials and coaches
such as Darryl Olson (Ladner Boxing Club), Fred Fuller (past BCABA president),
Richmond boxeer Lyle Hendrickson and Parksville boxer Dave Hendrickson,
1967 BC Diamond Boy Dave Wylie, former Canadian champion Fred Fuller Jr.,
Sample of top boxers at the junior level Cliff Ballendine, Chris Ius, David Ius, John Herman, and others.

JUNE 1985 "BC Amateur Boxing News":

"AT THE BELL" - By Brian Zelley

Remembering those members that supported the "Vancouver Island Boxing News" for the Spring and Fall of 1983:
Alex Riley and Niel Garda (Crofton Boxing Club), Dave Alton (Ladysmith), Art Smith & Brian Sacho (Parksville),
Island officials Rick Brough, Howard Curling and Bob Perry and on the Provincial scene Bert Lowes. (page 3)...

RING ROUND-UP:

1985 BC Golden Gloves - Golden Boy, RON PASKIE - Golden Boy Runner-up, GARY SERKO -
Best Intermediate, Scott Bannink.

Special Award Winners (page 5)
Best boxer Junior Provincials - TROY TAYLOR
Harold Mann award - RUDY BIANCO
Jimmy Syme award - MANNY SOBRAL
Harry Twist award - JOE PENDRY

Maple Ridge Club show - April 1, 1985 (page 6)
Maple Ridge coaches - Glynn Jones and Mike Allen
- two standout boxers on the card were: TONY DUFFY (lightweight) and GORDON JONES (Welterweight)

JUNE 1984:

Primary topic was the 1984 Junior Nationals with such champions as:
Norman Tynes, Corey Burton, Aaron Wolfe, Eric Grenier, Scotty Olson,
Mario Bergeron, Jeff Beliveau, Jaimie Sparks, John Walker, Stewart Hilton,
Tom Glesby, Mike Reuter, and Willy Curry,

Some other competitors from British Columbia -
Curtis Peterson, John Turner, Suraj Jaswal, Tony Francis,
Tony Duffy, Manny Sobral, and Clint Dumais.

An interesting bout was the final between Stewart Hilton and Ray Downey.

The Road to 1994 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

THE WINDING ROAD

If one looks at the details of the Commonwealth Games regarding Canadian Boxers,
it is a very bright picture with assorted medal winners, But, in 1989 the road was
long and winding, and each stp of the way was not filled with visions of Gold, Silver
and Bronze or the Red & White of Canada's colors.

At times, the path ahead looked bright with a rainbow of color, but then again
nothing is always bright and glittering. Along the way, there were dark days
along the twisting turning path.

Difficult to say what was the first big roadblock, was it the organizing of
volunteers, the side trip to the Seattle Goodwill Games, or the voices of
darkness calling for a boxing ban, or later some members of the public
screaming for the sport of rowing to be in the Games with direct attacks
on the sport of boxing with all the usual talking points.

THE BEGINNING:

Before this game of musical chairs began and long before the opening
bell of the first boxing bout, a boxing committee was established in 1989,
It was to part of the sports committee of the
VICTORIA COMMONWEALTH GAMES SOCIETY.
The first four members of the boxing committee were:
HASSAN SUNDERANI, BRIAN W. ZELLEY, MIKE SARTORI and GLYNN JONES.
At the time J. STOTHART was the contact person and the Executive Director
of the VCGS.

THE END GAME

By the time the last flag was lowered and the teams departed,
Canadian boxers shared in a half dozen of medals
due to the efforts of our boxers and the coaches,
The boxers were:
DOMENIC FIGLIOMENI, CASEY PATTON, MICHAEL STRANGE,
WALD FLEMING, R. DONALDSON, DALE BROWN. and ALLAN
BAYNE.

EVERYONE HAS A ROAD TO TRAVEL

Step back to 1989, and none of the 1994 medal winners were sitting upon
any senior Canadian title throne, that would come later when the likes of
Scotty Olson, Geronimo Bie and others would step aside and slowly
the boxers from Domenic Figliomeni to Robert Dale Brown
would appear to travel along the boxing highway towards 1994.

In 1990, Michael Strange would replace WESLEY SUNSHINE as
the featherweight champion, but by 1993 he would replace
BILLY IRWIN as lightweight champion. Also in 1993 we would
see the arrival of Casey Patton and Rowan Donaldson.

TEN NAMES & TEN STORIES

A FOOT IN THE DOOR - GREATER VICTORIA BOXING ASSOCIATION

Take four committee members and six medal winners and you end-up
with ten stories. But between 1989 and 1994, there were many others
involved  with the planning, organization and execution.

During 1989, it was a lot of meetings to decide the direction that we
would take. One of the first areas was to work on a guide to Boxing
in the Commonwealth Games. Hassan would primarily handle that
job, but I would deal with a brief overview of amateur boxing in
Greater Victoria.

Then in 1990, steps would begin to organize a community of boxing
volunteers. The first official public meeting took place on
April 21, 1990 at the "Victoria Commonwealth Games Society".
The official title of the meeting was
"Meeting of Victoria Boxing Enthusiasts".

It comprised of VCGS's John Stothart, boxing committee members
Sunderani, Zelley, and Sartori, and various interested persons
including:

past Island Commissioners RICK BROUGH and BERT WILKINSON,
Ian Duddy, Ian Weir, Dr. Dan Buie, Wes Byrnell and Pud Smith.

The primary decision reached by the members present was to
formally re-establish the "GREATER VICTORIA BOXING ASSOCIATION"
as a primary vehicle to formally organize a group of volunteers under
a structured organization. Also, all the boxing folks present would
agree to invite interested boxing enthusiasts to the meeting.

2014 Update:

Some of the volunteers:

Rick Brough

BOXING EDITOR

VANCOUVER ISLAND AMATEUR BOXING NEWS

In 1982, in a discussion with former Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing Commissioner HOWARD CURLING,
and the then Island Commissioner RICK BROUGH, we talked about getting all of the clubs working together
in a formal manner by having an Island Newsletter, and revising the Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing
Championships that last took place in 1964 in Victoria.

These issues were discussed at a number of coaches and officials meetings
held in the home of Brough.
At that time there were clubs in Gold River, Campbell River, Parksville,
 Nanaimo, Crofton, Ladysmith, and two in Victoria.

Before the end of the year the wheels were in motion
 for both the "News" and the "Boxing Tournament".

In 1983, there was a Spring 1983 issue and a Fall 1983 issue.
 It not only covered current events, but also had
a Flashbacks section, and a boxing skills section. The Flashbacks
 section in the spring included someold fight cards hosted by the
London Boxing Club in 1965. The boxings skills section included the following:
"EFFECTIVE PUNCHING: The B.L.A.S.T Plan" - By Brian Zelley.

The opening editorial began with the words:
"The current members of amateur boxing on Vancouver Island
have a mutual interest to ensure the long term growth and improvement
 of our sport. It is the purpose of this newsletter
to be part of this of objective for the future of amateur boxing." - B Zelley

Of importance to the sport of in British Columbia, there was a report on the 1983
"BC Winter Games" boxing activity featuring the Vancouver Island boxers and
coaches that participated.There was also reference to the performance of
 island boxers competing in the Canada Games
Gary Wood of Campbell River and Augusto dos Ries of Victoria.