Monday, March 8, 2021

BC Boxers and Builders - 1970 to : 1989 by Brian Zelley

 

Boxing 1970 (images)


Boxers & Builders, 70's and 80's

Alex Angelomatis,  Barry Blatter P

Barry Creswell,  Barry Neufield, Bert Lowes, Bill Walker, Bill Young, Bob Pegues,Brian Jones,  Brian Zelley, Capi Damani, Chris Ius, Clarke McLellan,

Dan Wright, Danny O'Sullivan, Darren Lussier, Darryl Olson, Dale Walters, David Ius, Denny Ross,  Ed McCaffrey,  Ed Williams,Frank Lucas, Frank Scott, Freddy Fuller, Gary Bridal, Gary Robinson, Geoff Robinson, George Angelomatis,  Joe Cooke, Gordie Lawson, Harold Mann,  Howard Curling, Hugh Kelly, Ian Duddy, Ian Pye, Ian Weir, Jack Meda, Jack Snaith, Jamie Ollenberger, Jim Howie, Jimmy McMillan, Jeff Yule, Joe McCaffrey, Joe Preston, John Gamble, John Navarolli, Ken Henderson, Ken Marjoram,  Kevin Carney. Lee Ranger, Len Barker,  Les Hamilton, Lindy Lindmoser, Lou Bujdoso, Lou Cooke, Mark Gutenberg, Malcom Eldridge,  Mickey Griffin, Mike Caird, Neil Melrose,  Ralph Robson, Rick Eedie Rick Stevenson, Ron  Williams, Sam Douglas,  Sid McKnight, Sonny Uri,  Stan Smith, Stitch Gill,  Terry Cooke, Terry Orr, Takashi Sasagawa,  Tim Hunter, Tom Turnbull, Tommy Yule,   Walter Boyce, Wayne Crowe, William Hardie. Willie Benellie,  


the role call continues

 Some major events were recorded in the 1980'

1. The 1980 revival of the Diamond Belt tournament since 1968.             2.  The Junior Nationals and final Senior box-offs 1984.

3. The Training of our 1984 Olympic boxers at our Burnaby facility

4. The revival of the Vancouver Island Championships since 1964

5. Forming the Boxing Committee in planning for the Commonwealth Games in 1994.

Boxers & Builders: 

Alan Brown, Al Harper, Al Young,   Alex Angelomatis, Alex Bankier, Alex Riley,   Art Shiels, Art Smith, Barry Krangle,  Bernie Brisch, Bert Lowes, Bill Cox, Bill Donnelly, Bill Franklin, Bill Long,  Bob Decker, Bob Perry, Brad Smith,Brian Sacho,  Brian Zelley, Carson Hunter, Carson Samuels, Clint Dumais, Cody Redford, Cory Wilcox, Curtis Mann,  Dale Walters,  Dan Purgaj, Danny Thompson,   Dave Hendricksson,  Dave Thompson, Dean Deluca, Dean Townsend, Deep Butter, Derek Wolfe, Dick St. Louis, Don Audette, Don Joy, Dorothy Lowes,  Earl Vance,  Erick Fetchko, Fred Fuller,  Gary Wood, George Angelomatis, George Armson, George Mason, George Shiels, Gerry Peters, Glynn Jones, Gordon Miller,  Gordy, Jolly Edwards,  Jones, Hail King, Hank Sampson,  Howard Curling, Ian Gibson, Jack Mellor, Jamie Ballard, Jason Downie, 

Jim Hardy, Jim Howie, Jimmy Hunter, Jita Nagra, Joe Martin, Joe Pendry, Joe Preston,   Joe Swift, Joe Web, John Kovak,  John WilsonKelly Rickets, Ken Marjoram,  Kit Munro, Larry Carney, Larry Krangle, Lawrence Rolfe, Lee Gauthier,  Leif Albrechtsen, Leon Chambers,  Lyle Hendrickson,  Lyle Jack, Manny Sobral,  Marg O'Reilly, Mike Wood, Mike Kennedy, Mike O'Connell, Monty Brown,  Niel Garda Paul Deluca, Paul Bottomley, Paul Simpson, Peter Paskie, 

Ray Abraham, Rick Albrechtsen, Rick Brough,  Rick Goodchild, Roger Laflame, Roman Grimard, Ron Paskie, Ron Reiter, Ron Young, Rudy Bianco,  Russ Lyon, Scott Bannink, Scott Cessford, Scotty Scott,  Shirley Knopp,  Sid Knopp, Stan Smith, Steve Noel, Thorkey Larsen, Tim Howie,  Tim Cessford, Tom Coady,  Tom McQuarrie, Tommy Yule, Tony Duffy, Tony Willis, Trent Storey, Troy Taylor, Vic Murdoch, Wade Stewart, Wayne Welsh, Willie Curry, 

                                 Alan Brown, Vic Murdoch, Brian Zelley 1984









Friday, March 16, 2012

many unsung heroes: BC BOXING COACHES and OFFICIALS, Seventies

BACKBONE OF BC BOXING:  By Brian Zelley

Going back to the Seventies will provide many names of
coaches and official.  By 2012, some are remembered and
some are not.  One of the moist known names of that time
period was former boxing coach and official BERT LOWES.
Some may remember him as a boxing coach in the Fifties
at Vancouver's South Hill Boxing Club or in the Sixties
as one of coaches of the Firefighters Boxing Club.


(photo of Fred Fuller and Bert Lowes)


  Fred Fuller is another
person that is well known in local and national circles
and was a coach with the East Vancouver Optimists
boxing club and would later beome a ring official and
the President of BOXING BC.


As we wind out path through the Seventies there are
some family groups that have been involved in 
coaching and officiating.


Some names to remember include:
Jim and Maureen Airey, Alex and George Angelomatis,
Joe and Terry Cooke.  Terry is still coaching but his 
coaching days go back to the Sixties.  Joe was a 
champion boxer and also refereed in the Seventies.
(Joe Cooke referee of the Bob Pegues vs Les Hamilton bout  nid-Seventies)


Some other family names include Jim and Sylvia Gallagher and the Ius 
brothers Sid and Shirley Knopp, Harold and Irving Mann, Marg and Pat
O'Reilly, Art and George Shiels, Jeff and Tommy Yule.


But there were also many individuals that were involved as builders 
in amateur boxing.  Some would begin new clubs in the Seventie
such as Jim Howie who would be one of the founders of the 
Campbell River Eagles boxing club that became an official
club in 1970 or in the late Seventies there was Art Smith and
Brian Sacho of the Parksville Boxing Club and many others
on Vancouver island and elsewhere throughout BC.


Others would come from other Provinces with desire and
experience to make a difference such as Alan Tummon,
Rick Brough and Dave Coventry.  From far and wide in
British Columbia there were many names that added a
touch of class to boxing such as Leif Albrechtsen in
Williams Lake, Mike Moore in Cranbrook, and the 
many officials such as Ian Gibson, Vic Murdoch, 
Ron Whalley, Bob Perry, Howard Curling and
Thorky Larsen.  Some would serve as coaches and
officials such as Joe Preston in Nanaimo.
(photo of the late Ron Whalley, a top ring official).


Many an ex-boxer would contribute to the sport
by assisting in a gym, being a full time coach and/or
officiating in some capacity such as Lou Bujdoso, 
Mike Caird, Dick Findlay, Freddy Fuller, Bob Ginetti,
Lindy Lindmoser, Mickey McMillan, Gary Oakden, 
Buddy Palmer, Len Walters, Billy Watson, 
Dan Wright, Dave Wylie and Brian Zelley.


(photo of Lindy Lindmoser) who would
become a coach at Vancouver's 
Firefighters boxing club and would
also become a ring official and serve
in a variety of roles for boxing 
tournamenbts in British Columbia.  


*The boxing school where it all begins "The Gym"*
(photo: shadow boxing
at the Victoria Athletic
Association gym ion the
late Seventies(


the VAA replaced the 
London Boxing Club
in 1976 and the coaches
would be Mike Caird,
Brian Zelley and 
Lou Bujdoso.
Lou would move on to form his own club in the late
Seventies "the Victoria Jaycees Boxing Club" and 
would be the key Victoria club in the Eighties kicking-off
with the revival of the Diamond Belt tournament in 1980.
Aside from Lou there would be other coaches and trainers
such as Mike Sartori and Paul DeLuca to name a couple.


As we complete our trip down "memory lane" of 
Seventies boxing coaches and officials let's not forget
many others such as:
* Uto Arnold * Walter Austin * Len Barker * Rudy Bianco  *
" Bernie Brisch * Gerald Burton * Ian Douglas * Bob Eedy  *
* Earl Elgie * Darrel Elmore * Ed Gilmore * Wally Hill  *
* John Kovak * Paul LeMay * Arnold McEwen * Ken Marjoram *
* Bram Mellis * jack Mellor * Peter Murray-Driver * John O'Shea *
* jack Pidgeon * Stan Smith * Joe Swift * Dave Thompson  *
* Larry Montgomery * Denny Ross * Bill Walker * 



Monday, December 19, 2011

BC GOLDEN BOYS of the Sixties

BC GOLDEN BOYS - BC GOLDEN GLOVES - 1960 to 1969:  By Brian Zelley
Allen Curtin, Bill Adams, Buddy Palmer, Kalman Santosi,  Brian Bremner,
Freddy Fuller, Dick Findlay (2), Ray Lampkin, and Neil Knight.
                             RAY LAMPKIN     and     NEIL KNIGHT

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Prince George Free Press - Petrovicky takes on boxing

NANAIMO BOXER OF THE SEVENTIES BOB PEGUES:  by brian zelley
From boxing in the Seventies for the Nanaimo Boxing Club, Bob Pegue
continues to make the news as a boxing coach in Prince George.
Aside form coaching his regular boxers, or participating has a team coach
Bob takes the time to coach other athletes in the fine art and science of
boxing.  The linked Prince George Pree Press story is just one example.
Prince George Free Press - Petrovicky takes on boxing

Nanaimo Boxer Bob Pegues
in action in the mid-Seventies
fighting in a Nanaimo Boxing
Club card about 1975.

Later, Bob would become a
regular boxing coach in
Prince George and train
various boxers including
Canadian champion
Ken Lally and National
B-team member Jag Seehra

Photeo 2010 by DorothyZelley
 of Jag and Bob at the
2010 BC Golden Gloves.
Hosted by the Capital City
Boxing Club of Victoria.

1967 BC CENTENNIAL GOLDEN GLOVES

1967 CENTENNIAL GOLDEN GLOVES
- The Semi-Finals and Final:  By Brian Zelley

Following some exciting preliminary bouts on the
Friday night, much of the semi-finals action took
place on the Saturday afternoon before the evening
finals.

                                  Fred Desrosiers - 1964 Olympic Boxer
                                       (1965 BC Golden Boy runner-up)

The boxers that engaged in the prelims in order of 
there appearance:
Belcourt, Flajole, Kacer, Henderson, Zelley, Fouth,  Deugau, Boyce, 
Tommy, Hewitt, Eastman, McGee, Fleck, Kolar, Ostapovich,
 Alexander, Tohill, Saigot, Dickson, O'Reilly, Erdmann, Crook,
Desrosiers,  Perez, Coleridge, Rorick, Eagan, Adams, Sinclair,
Manson, Gourd, Wilson, Smith, Van Nockey,  Smith, Meda, 
Taylor, Ralph, Chabot, Wylie, Fuller, Gontas, and  White.
                                                 Wesley Craven
                                                 Jack Meda

SEMI-FINALS - Results:
Randy Jones over Ervin Combs,  Ray Lampkin over Murray Renshaw 
Frank Scott over Orland Ralph, Brian Zelley over Steven Flajole
Wayne Boyce over Bob Kacer, Dick Coulson over Alec Stevens
Dick Findlay over Clarence Hammick, Freddy Fuller over Les Vegas
Steve Tohill over Pat O'Reilly, Len Erdmann over Fred Desrosiers
Colin Coleridge over Jack White, Gord Sinclair over Dennis Rorick
Ron Manson over Clint Page, Ron Wilson over Richard Barbee
Marion Kolar over Glenn McGee, Ken Tommy over Ken Alexander
Wes Craven over George Van Nockay, Jack Meda over Andy Nacosti. 
                  Fred Fuller                Dick Findlay               Dave Wylie


THE 1967 FINALS
Derek Austin - Randy Jones, Ray Lampkin - Frank Scott
Wayne Boyce - Brian Zelley, Dick Coulson - Philip King
Dick Findlay - Freddy Fuller, Lennie Erdmann - Steve Tohill
Gordon Sinclair - Colin Coleridge, Ron Manson - Ron Wilson
Ken Tommy - Marion Kolar, Wes Craven - Jack Meda.
                                         Brian Zelley   -   Ray Lampkin
                                         Wayne Boyce  -  Frank Scott


1967 GOLDEN BOY:  DICK FINDLAY
G B RUNNER-UP:  RAY LAMPKIN
(note:  in 1968 the results would be reversed with Lampkin 
the Golden Boy and Findlay the runner=-up)


THE MOST SPORTSMANLIKE BOXER:  BOB KACER
BEST CLUB:  Firefighters and Portland
BEST FIGHT:  Dick Findlay vs Freddy Fuller















Monday, November 21, 2011

1975 Boxers In Western Canadian Games

WESTERN SUMMER GAMES:  by Brian Zelley

It was the mid-Seventies and in August 1975, BC 
amateur boxing would field a winning team to 
compete in the Western Summer Games held 
in the city of Regina.


Team members expected to compete were:


Mickey Griffin, Ed and Joe McCaffrey, David Ius,
Jim Stevenson, Mike Wilson, Jamie Ollenberger,
Steve White, Buddy Hutchinson and Brian Jones.


At the completion of the tournament, BC boxers
won a number of Gold medals including:
 Nanaimo boxer Mickey Griffin, it was one of his best
showings in the featherweight division.


Also earning gold were  Ed McCaffrey, Joe McCaffrey,
David Ius, Jim Stevenson and Brian Jones.

Six months later in February 1976, the amateur
boxing journey of Nanaimo's Griffin would come to
and end with the announcement in the Feb. 26, '76
"Nanaimo Daily FreePress":
"BOXER GRIFFIN IS QUITTING SPORT"
Griffin cited unfair judging by BC boxing
officials as the reason for his decision.

 A Nanaimo coach spoke about a
bout  between Griffin and Chris Ius as an
example of unfair judging by BC officials.
The local news stated:

1976 Some Golden Moments in 
Vancouver and Victoria 
despite the shadow cast over boxing
in Nanaimo boxing continued to improve
with the June 1976 staging of the 
two tournament affair between the Select
junior boxers of BC and a team of English
schoolboys.


The Victoria tournament was hosted by 
the London Boxing Club on June 6 th,
The Vancouver tournament took place
June 4th. at the PNE Exhibition Gardens.
In the various programs there was a 
"Welcome" message by WALTER BOYCE,
prsident of the BCABA.  Also, there was a
message from JOE WEBB, boxing co-ordinator
and a message by BERT LOWES, the director
of regerees and judges for C. A. B. A.


Some of those assisting in the affair in Vancouver 
Jim and Sylvia  Gallagher, Pat O'Reilly, John Connolly,
Kurt Wold, G. Cote, J. McCaffrey, Peter Froloff,
Key Victoria help came from Howard Curling,
Mike Caird and Brian Zelley and various 
members and executive of the London Boxing Club.


THE BC BOXERS:
Dale Walters, Billy Hardie, Barry and Wayne Blatter
from the Burnaby Boxing Club,
Steve Gallagher and Mike Cote - Cloverdale Boxing,
Derrick Hoyt, Peter Blair, Leonard Halm,
Jim Blair from the Cranbrook Boxing Club,
Mike Bonneau, Alan Price, David Hodgkinson 
from the "Duhamel Boxing Club, 
Edie McCaffrey and John Herman, Richmond,
Kurt Lang, and Hamid Ismail of Ladner Boxing,
Danny Neal , Alex Bernard and Thomas Bernard
of the Ringside Boxing Club.









Sunday, November 20, 2011

1968: THE TWISTS AND TURNS FOR BC BOXERS

 REVISITING 1968 WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED
THE END GAME FOR BC BOXERS:  by brian zelley

When all was said and done, only one BC boxer  made it
into the 1968 Olympic Games and that was DICK FINDLAY
who joined MARVIN ARNESON,  WALTER HENRY
 and DONATO PADUANO.
But, there were other BC boxers that started the journey
beginning in September 1967 including some that made
the 1967 Pan Am games Canadian boxing team such
as FREDDY FULLER, FRANKIE SCOTT and 

                   Zelley (Firefighters) vs Boyce (Astoria)
                 . compete in the 1968 BC Olympic trials in May 1968
                 (but by a twist of fate neither one of the two active boxers
                         would make it into the finals of the Olympic trials.
                           That distinction would fall on the shoulders of 
                               Ron McEachern who would drop a decision
                                       to boxer Ted Billinsley. 



The other Canadian champions were:
Frank Scott, Ted Billinsley, Marvin Arneson,
Jim Titley, Gordon sinclair, Rick fleck and Earl McLeay.


RON MCEACHERN.  Ron lost to Billinsley in the 
finals in the featherweight division.




Some of the BC boxers eliminated in the 
preliminary action were:
Ken Henderson, Dave Allerdice, and Les Vegas.  
                                Donato  Paduano  and Dick Findlay
                                                   Walter Henry

Thursday, November 17, 2011

THE SIXTIES and SEVENTIES REVISITED

BOXING IN THE SIXTIES and SEVENTIES;  by Brian Zelley

To-date, I have not worked on this site but will attempt to recap the
history of this period in the near future.

As it relates to BC boxers of the Sixties and Seventies, it is also
important to remember the coaches, trainers and officials.
This site will also look at the boxing clubs that existed.

There are some boxing clubs in British Columbia that
have existed for 40 plus years such as the
CAMPBELL RIVER EAGLES BOXING CLUB
(now called the Campbell River Boxing and Fitness Club).
Also, the Nanaimo Boxing Club that started in 1971.
Some other old clubs would be the Spruce Capital Club
in Prince George and the Cranbrook Boxing Club.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

1968 SEATTLE GOLDEN GLOVES


THE SEATTLE GOLDEN GLOVES:  by Brian Zelley
.Northwest AAU Championships - February 23 and 24, 1968
Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington


                                         alumni of 1968  Golden gloves' tournaments
                                                     Brian Zelley, Ray Lampkin
                                                     Wayne Boyce and Frank Scott

                                     THE BOXERS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA

AAU REGISTRATION;  DICK FRANCISCO.
CHAIRMAN:  FRANK GILMAN, Canadian AAU Rep. DAVE BROWN

SAMPLE OF OFFICIALS:
Joey Velez,Pat McMurtry, Freddie Ward, Clay Nixon, Dick Stokes

REGISTERED BOXERS;
Lee Thode, Neil Knight,, Dave Johnson,Joe Cooke, Steve flajole,
Frank Scott, Derek Austin, Larry Richards, John Alstine, Lloyd Cole,
Ray Lampkin, , Jim Anderson, Wayne Boyce, Brian Zelley, Gary Dowling,
Georgr Mankin, Rick Hamilton, Charles Hilyard, Dave Allerdice, John Carr,
Pat Arnardi, Buddy McKay, Mike Fisher, Clarence Hammick, Paul Hohman,
Dick Findlay,  Nick MacDonald, Freddy Fuller, Chico DeJackson,
Mike Colbert, Alva Smith Jr., Pete Salgot, Dave wylie Les Vegas,
Steve Brigadeen, Fraser Scott, Ernie Ivery,  Larry Sinitsin,  Ted Kallenger,
Richard Barbee, Steve Beaugadine, Ramone Benneditti, Fred Elbel,
Curtis Johnson, Glenn McGee,  Harry Chamberlain, John Howard,
Bill Cross, Larry Davidson, Bill Taylor, Rick Fleck, Bob White,
Earl McLeay, John Amos, nafiz Ahmed, and Blaine Olson, .(note
( some of the boxers such as Dave Allerdice did not make the tournament
and other boxers such as Danny Gontes served as replacements.
- see The "Vancouver Sun" report re. changes to BC Team.)

BC BOXERS IN THE FINALS and OPPONENTS
DEREK AUSTIN vs LARRY RICHARDS
BRIAN ZELLEY vs RAY LAMPKIN
FREDDIE FULLER  vs DICK FINDLAY (both BC team)
DAVE WYLIE vs MIKE COLBERT
BILL TAYLOR  vs BLAINE OLSON
                                NEIL KNIGHT, Seattle Boxing Club

Note: some  other winners were Neil Knight,
Mike Fisher, John Howard, Fraser Scott and Bill Cross

1968 results for BC boxers in finals

Thursday, September 22, 2011

THE SIXTIES

BC GOLDEN GLOVES BOXERS , SIXTIES; by brian zelley


                                                    JACK MEDA - HEAVYWEIGHT




JACK MEDA, was one of many boxers of the Sixties that was overlooked,
but despite these setback, he shined in the Seventies as Heavyweight 
Amateur Champion of Canada.  Also, the other Canadian heavyweight
champions from the Sixties that were overlooked were BILL TAYLOR
and EARL MCLEAY. 


Another overlooked boxer was MARIJAN KOLAR, a light-heavyweight 
champion.  Then there was bantamweight star JIMMY MACMILLAN.



LOOKING BACK TO THE SIXTIES


Some of the boxers in the Sixties fought in the Fifties and some fought in the
Seventies, and some followed up the active boxing with coaching and/or
officiating.  But, the main issue still is that far too many are forgotten,
overlooked or ignored.  Of the above list only 24 were remembered in a
piece that appeared in the 1971 BC Golden Gloves program hosted and
sponsored by the BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING 
ASSOCIATION and the producer of the program was the Vancouver
based Murray Cameron Enterprises.


Now the problem with publications about amateur boxing in BC
that restricts the memory page to a select few often overlooks some
top quality boxers and adds names of  some local heroes that may 
or may not have been first class with high levels of skill and 
achievements and further divides the Provincial amateur boxing
into  groups of have and have not.


THE USA CONNECTION
From the early days of Golden Gloves action in 1939 to many 
decades of action in Vancouver, Tacoma, Seattle and 
Portland there have been many top quality boxers from the 
USA compete in BC Golden Gloves and Diamond Belt Tournaments
Some key ones in the Sixties were  Gary Ferrari, Michael Colbert,
Neil Knight, Ray Lampkin and Wesley Craven.  Another name was
George Perez.  A regular from California was Larry Houseman.
Then throughout the decades, BC boxers would compete in 
USA tournaments such as EARL MCLEAY, a heavyweight 
that was overlooked in the highlights of the Sixties in 1971.


                                   NEIL KNIGHT - GOLDEN BOY

Saturday, August 13, 2011

names from the Seventies

APRIL 1985 BC AMATEUR BOXING NEWS


Page 7 "PARADE OF OFFICIALS, COACHES & EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
for he years 1975 to 1979.  A list of 105 names ranging from JIM AIREY and JEFF YULE.
Every 10th. one listed include:
Mary Bens, Ian Carmichael, Earl Elgie, Ian Gibson, Mel Ius,
Len Ludwikowski, Bram Melis, Gary Oakden, Art Shiels, Lennie Walters.


Page 6, Parade of BC Amateur Boxers (1975 to 1979)
Sample of names - every 10th. one:
Scott Bannink, Wayne Blatter, Wayne Crowe, Jim Fidler,  Tod Hatley,
Chris Ius, Kurt Lang, Tom McMurchie, Tony Morrelli, Paul  Panke,
Chris Sequeira, Dave Thornhill, and Ed Williams.


                         1976 BC GOLDEN GLOVES


Of the boxers the veteran of the above sample was ED WILLIAMS.
Some other long-term veterans still in the ring were:
Alex Angelomatis, Freddy Fuller, Gordie Lawson, 
Jimmy MacMillan, and Steve Tohill.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Victoria, BC - The club shows 1965

THE CLUB SHOWS IN THE SIZZLING SIXTIES;  By brian w. zelley

Throughout the Sixties there have been many club shows including those in Victoria
and Port Alberni.

Three of the 1965 boxing cards held in Victoria were  included as "FLASHBACKS"
in the Spring  1983 issue of the "Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing News".  A look back 
at the three shows held in the VICTORIA BALLROOM  took place on Febrtuary 18th.,
April 23rd and December 9th, 1965/

In the February card the winners were:
Gene Tait, Andy Ross, Darrel Danyluck, Dick Coulson, Bob Lohvin,
Howie Rabey, Dave Wylie, Ken Barker, Bob Pollock and Brian Zelley.
Their opponents were:
kevin Alexander, Ken Stant, John Gamble, Les Vegas, Ken Alexander,
John Cowan, Roger Nepper, Les Sluggett, Rick Cox and Bob Kacer.


HEADLINES: "NANAIMO TRIO FIGHT VCTORS"
."Gene Tait, Ken Barker and Brian Zelley of
Nanaimo's Newcastle Boxing Club..."

In the April 23, 1965 card the winners were:
Gene Tait, Bob Pollock, Rod Sluggett, Jindy Johl,
 Ken Barker, Ken MacDonald,Brian Zelley, 
Danny McDonald, Bob kacer, Fritz Breismeister, 
Jim Dixon, Howie Leeson and Dick Findlay. 
The opponents were:
Danny Crawford, Gerry Budzinski, Rick Tait, Len Glenfield,
Brian Martin, Howie Rabey, Barry Lowe,
Kalman Santosi, Roger Nepper, Doug Milletta,
Hank Lutters, Pete Key and Les Vegas.

December 9, 1965:

Winners were:
Dave Way, Bob Pollock, Rod Sluggett, Jindy Johl, Len Glenfield,
Brian Zelley, Jim O'Neil, Murray Gover and Les Vegas.
Opponents were:
Gene Tait, Gerry Budzinski, Larry McFadden, Mike Miller, Cliff Hitchcox,
Freddy Hughes, Jim Peacock, Gary Leech, and Ian Middleditch, 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

1970 BOXING's "New Beginning" in B C

THE SEVENTIES in AMATEUR BOXING - New Beginnings:  By Brian Zelley

If we just focus on amateur boxing in BC, the Seventies was an interesting decade of activity
due to the formation of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association in 1969
and the many changes effecting the sport.

For active boxers in the open senior class, they are all products of the Sixties, but in
 the early years of the Seventies there would be many new clubs, coaches and competitions
 with new stars to carry the torch forward.  From Vancouver Island to the Rocky Mountains,
 "TIMES THEY WERE A CHANGING'.

To begin the story, the 1969/1970 boxing year was a bonus for British Columbia boxing,
 and likely started with the 1970 Golden Gloves in Vancouver and reached
 the Commonwealth Games with some boxers from British Columbia on the team
and Jack Meda from Prince George winning a bronze medal.
Then there were "old friends" that had been touching gloves and shadow boxing
from before the Sixties in the form of FRANK SCOTT  and FREDDY FULLER

Back to Vancouver Island, there would be growth and expansion with the formation of the
Nanaimo Boxing Club in 1971 and a major increase in activity in Victoria in 1974.  Clubs in Campbell River and Parksville  would join the party for another round of "fistic happenings".  Some of the names
include  Howard Curling, Mike Caird, Brian Zelley, Dan Wright, Jim Howie Bill Walker, Art Smith,
Lou Bujdoso and gyms full of boxers such as Mickey Griffin, Jack Snaith, Bob Pegues, Barry Creswell,
Wayne Crowe, Gary Robinson and "Dynamite" Dan Wright. and msny more.

There would be fight cards in Nanaimo, Campbell River, and Victoria and tournaments and club shows in Greater Vancouver and many clubs such as Cloverale, Richmond, North West Eagles, Astoria, Cranbrook and  the Spruce Capital Warriors of Prince George, and many more such as Langley and the last years of the old  Firefighters and boxers like DAVE WYLIE taking another shot at ring glory.