zelley

I have linked this thread to "The Story of BC Amateur Boxing" site and some others.

The WBC should stay out of amateur boxing. (It would be nice if they stayed out of pro boxing too but that's another story...) Thanks, they the WBC do have a twisted history but that is for another thread elsewhere.

I've been in your club a few times years ago. Sparred there. It's at the end of Howard Avenue isn't it? I think your name is Bruce or Brian.. some name beginning with "B". If your talking about the Nanaimo Boxing Club, the head coach for a number of years first name is BARRY. I'm Brian, and one of the co-founders of the club in 1971. Over the years they have moved into about four locations in Nanaimo. The Victoria Athletic Association was a change from the old London Boxing Club, and for that I was one of the coaches and one of the founding directors on August 31st., 1976. The last boxing hosted by the London boxing was in June 1976 when a BC junior selects vs English school boy boxers from the Liverpool - Manchester area came to Canada to tour across the country with Victoria and Vancouver being the two BC sites.

The Canadians Some names of interest: Al Ford, Al Sparks, Arthur King, Armand Savoie, Art Hafey, Billy McGrandle, Billy Townsend, Blair Richardson, Bob Cleroux, Bob Edgett, Burke Emery, Chris Clarke, Clyde Gray, Colin Fraser, Earl Walls, Gale Kerwin, George Chuvalo, George Dixon, George Godfrey, Jack Delaney, Jackie Callura, Jimmy McLarnin, Johnny Greco, Larry Gaines, Lou Brouillard, Maxie Berger, Nicky Furlano, Sammy Luftspring, Wilf Greaves. Yvon Durelle.

Top Canadian Boxers With any list of ten there are many names that would trump the ones listed. Somewhere along the roulette wheel of selections some would consider: Armand Savoie, Art Hafey, Billy Townsend, Bob Cleroux, Nickey Furlano, Yvon Durelle. And although amateur, Michael Strange. One might ask why, and some might ask who is Bob Cleroux. Well, for starters he defeated George Chuvalo in two out of three bouts. Boxer ARTURO GATTI was a popular and tough fighter, but not sure he was a better all round fighter as a Bob Cleroux or Art Hafey for starters. There is best and greatest, and what yardsticks should be use to judge them all on an even playing field?

Top ten canadian boxers of all time To try and pick ten best ever Canadian boxers, is an impossible challenge.

The Process Before coming to any conclusions, it is important to let the legal process run it's course.

Facts, fantasy & Fiction Time will tell what the real story is. If he is innocent then in the eye of the public a great Canadian coach. If found guilty, then it will be a real mud slinging free-for-all.

REMEMBER WHEN - BOXING ILLUSTRATED March 1960 Sugar Ray Robinson was on the front cover. An interesting article was: "Superhuman Courage Was The Ruination Of AD WOLGAST"m by Johnny Brannigan Interesting lead by Johnny: "He seemed to thrive on punishment as he plodded into opponents, his head a wide open target. He became lightweight champion and then, suddenly, his whole world caved in like a punctured balloon." - Boxing Illustrated, March 1960.

REMEMBER WHEN - Joe Louis & "Bum Of The Month" Big Book Of Boxing - November 1975 The big question by Randy Gordon: "Were Joe Louis' "Bums Of The Month' Really Bums?" Heavy question, ask the opponents of John Henry Lewis, Tony Galento, Jack Roper, Arturo Godoy and others.

Amateur & Boxing - link I have linked this to an "Amateur & Profession Boxing" group site, to help "spread it around". Remember when The RING magazine - May 1974 The Canadian boxers in the British Commonwealth rankins included: George Chuvalo, Ronnie Wilson, Gary & Johnny Summerhays, Donato Paduano, Clyde Gray, Marshal Butler, Fernand Marcotte and Art Hafey. Remember when there was an article about Fernand Marcotte in the January 1973 issue of "Boxing Illustrated". It was called "Frantic Fernand" by Harry Feldman. Remember 1967 - BC Diamond Belt Tournament in Vancouver, BC. Both Ron Wilson & Donato Paduano were in the tournament. Considered by some to be the last of the great amateur boxing tournaments in British Columbia. After the formation of CABA in 1969, all things changed concerning tournaments - the various partnerships with fraternal groups and community organizations faded away to be replaced by the Provincial organizations or individual clubs hosting tournaments. Remember when - The RING, November 1965 Welterweight prospect of the month - LOU BIZZARRO. Fighter Of The Month - LUIS RODRIGUEZ Also, BC boxers Harold Mann and Jimmy Walters were mentioned in Jim Johnston's "Pacific Northwest Boxing News".

No clubs nearby, no equipment, but yes to hope and desire Without any equipment, one could learn stance, footwork, and the basic punches. If you don't have a proper skipping rope, then an old piece of rope will do. Just standing in one spot, one can practice left jabs - single jabs, double jabs and even triple jabs and power jabs to head and body. Having somebody leading with jabs, can teach defense - blocking, slipping, and the beat goes on with every type of punch and defensive technique. Much of what is needed, doesn't need a full time gym, just the desire and availability to learn and practice.

John H. Stracey vs Hedgemon Lewis souvenir programme - 1976 Looking at the souvenir program re March 1976 welterweight title fight Stracey vs Lewis. Cover price 25p. Open letter from Stracey in the program included the following words: "We have the opportunity this evening to let the whole world know that we in Britain are far from down and out like the knockers would have people to believe." - J H Stracey (1976).

Remember When Tough to post articles by other writers due to copyrite issues. A few quotes should lead to an important dicussion. For instance the article about Eddie Machen begins with the ending "Eddie Machen...died on the cold pavement two stories below his San Franciso apartment..." How many remember Machen when he fought Floyd Patteron and Ernie Terrell or Zora Folley. How strange that Folley and Machen would end in tragedy like Sonny Liston.

I agree... He was only fighting the last minute and tried to steal rounds at the end. Wasn't his high energy self... then again, the first thing to go is speed Prior to the fight I thought Bradley would win, but not 100% sure. I think the main issue in that fight was: Was Manny's one minute of fighting in the tail end of the round in many rounds enough, or did two of the judges get it right?

Rematch It would be a good time for Bernard Hopkins to hang up the gloves and call it a day, He does not need a rematch and another year or so of boxing at his age is not necessary - regardless of the controversial decision he will be recognized as the winner. I think our lad from Laval, Quebec should face NATHAN CLEVERLY of Wales and the perfect place for the PASCAL vs CLEVERLY title fight would be in Manchester, England. over time the PASCAL - HOPKINS bout will be one of those bouts debated concerning controversial decisions or uncrowned champions.

Robbery in Quebec City Regardless of the two judges that voted it a draw, one judge did vote for "Father Time" HOPKINS. But, our modern day Archie Moore - BH got stiffed in Quebec City.

The results Good to read the results, and that they have not had problems with the new rules.

CHAD "Google" DAWSON There is always some positives. We now have CHAD "Google" DAWSON.

Chad's pre-fight hype pure show business One can often expect the usual pre-fight hype. Chad's versions of hype is somewhat like a junior high school kid having a spat in the playground. There is positive promotion and then there is Chad's level of playground communication. Let's hope his actual performance in June will measure up, but bravado, disrespect and rapid mouth movement never won any fights or earned one best fighter of the year awards but it makes for good back street entertainment.

"WHOSE ON FIRST AND WHAT IS ON SECOND" In some Canadian publication on-line there making reference to the WBC Canadian championships that will lead to the WBC World Cup but one of the organization in BC has indicated it is for amateurs. But, on the WBC Youth Championship blog it indicates this is not for amateurs. DO WE HAVE, two WBC tournament ships sailing at the same time or are some folk off of the mark in their reporting.