BOXING BC HALL OF FAME by Brian Zelley

THE BEGINNING                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    BOXING BC HALL OF FAME has been approved in December 2021

By Brian Zelley                                                                                                 In 1984, I suggested  that Boxing BC start a Boxing Hall Of Fame in the BC Amateur Boxing News.  But it was overlooked for many years, so in 2010 six ex-boxers established the BC Amateur Boxing Hall Of Fame that selected 15 Boxers & Builders and now in January 2022 year 13 there will be at least ten more Inductees for the BCABHOF.                                                                                                                                         However in mid 2021 a poll was taken to encourage Boxing BC to consider starting a Boxing BC Hall of Fame.  Close to the end of 2021  it was confirmed by MEHRAN that the Hall was approved. They are now in the process of selecting names.  IN a poll, 29 folks supported a BOXING BC HALL OF FAME: Brian and Dorothy Zelley, Eric Brighton, David Dunbar, Lou Bujdoso Jr., Raul Duke, Rose Caetona, Al Cool, Arnold McEwen,    Wayne John Welsh, Troy James Taylor, Kevin Lyons, Graham McIntosh, Mickey Sims, Del Deagau, Dean Bruckshaw,   Robert Seckler Jr., Peter Holt, Sandra Turner, Bill Dorsey, Rita Nepper, Jordan Kodiak, Joseph Pendry, Scotty Olson, and Chris Kentebe.

Boxing BC's 25 potential inductees:                                                                                                                  Tommy Paonessa,  Elio Ius, Eddie Haddad, Bert Lowes, Harold Mann,   Manny Sobral,                        Lind y Lindmoser,   Marg O'Reilly,  Bert Wilkinson, Billy Townsend, Brian Zelley,   Dale Walters, Derrick Hoyt, Dick Findlay,  Frank Gigliotti,  Fredd Fuller, Freddy Fuller,  George Angelomatis,        Geronimo Bie,   Jimmy Walters, Linda Adams Gigliotti,  Michael Olajardie ,  John O'Shea,             Ron Whalley,  and Kevin Howard.                                                                                                 

             

JIMMY WALTERS & BARNEY ROSS

EDDIE HADDAD

One of our Canadian amateur & Professional boxers SCOTTY OLSON approves the idea of a BOXING BC HALL OF FAME. Scotty is a Hall of Famer in several halls of fame and an honorary Inductee of the current BC AMATEUR BOXING HALL OF FAME.

The Boxing BC Hall of Fame committee is working towards selecting names, but it may be not announced until early February. The inductees will be public as soon as possible.                                          

                                                                   LINDY LINDMOSET

                                                              

                                                                            

The DANNY MCGARVIE Boxing Story: by Brian Zelley

 DAN MCGARVIE is a former amateur boxer that trained at the NORTH WEST EAGLES  in the Seventies, but is now involved in professional boxing as a manager and promoter.  June 5, 2016, McGarvie and Dale Walters were interviewed on Radio concerning the death of MUHAMMAD ALI.

In 2010, Danny was one of six founders of the B C Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame, The others were RAY BEAULIEU, SCOTT GALLOWAY, STEVEN KODIAK, STEVE WOOD & BRIAN ZELLEY. Year one, 15 persons were inducted Builders: Dave Brown, Elio Ius, Fred Fuller, Pat O'Reilly and Rick Brough. Ten boxers included: Dale Walters, Chris Ius, Dick Findlay, Eddie Haddad, Frank Scott, Fred Desrosiers, Freddy Fuller,  Harold Mann, Jimmy Walters, & Manny Sobral.

BC BOXING Names and faces by Brian Zelley

 

As I look back over the years from 1963 there have been many Club mates, competitors, coaches, officials, team mates and other boxing folks involved in club shows and tournaments.                                                                                                    It all begins in September 1963 at .the Nanaimo's Newcastle boxing club and in January 1964, club members took part in a club show hosted by the HARRY MORRIS London Boxing Club in Victoria. Mamaimo coaches were GEORGE NEPPER, HARRY POLLITT and SKIMP WILLIAMS.                                                                                       Some of our first year boxers were Brian Zelley, Nepper brothers, Chris Balatti, Leo Rock and Mike Lazare. As the years passed by there would be many other boxers such as KEN STANT, TED BALATTI and MURRAY GLOVER, but there were other clubmates such as AL RANGER, Al WINDECKER                                                                                                                       

*In 1964, the highlight was the 1964 Vancouver Island Boxing Championships. Four of us from Nanaimo competed: {see photo} with Brian Zelley, Roger Nepper, Leo Rock and Giles Nepper.  The two of us were champions Brian and Giles. There were various other boxers including Tommy Black. Fred Desrosiers. Mike Caird

 

 and Rifleman Walsh.

Mid Sixties: 

George Nepper, Terry Lewis, Bob Lewis Brian Zelley and Al Windecker.  

Two great boxers that I fought  in 1966 were Jimmy McMillan and Del Deugau.  Also fought club mate KEN STANT.

                                                      In 1967 two important tournaments  took place The 1967 Centennial Golden Gloves and the 1967 Centennial Diamond Belt Championships.  In September 1967, I joined the Vancouver Firefighters and fought Fifteen bouts over a six month period, the top four were Ray Lampkin, Frankie Scott, Neil Knight, and Wayne Boyce.

 

HAROLD HANDLEN, 2022 BCABHOF Nominee

A Nominee for 2022 H. HANDLEN; by Brian Zelley.

Harold Handlen is a former boxer of Prince George  but also fought in Victory BC. Scored many wins by knockout. His original trainer was Inductee HAROLD MANN.  In his bout in Victoria in the Sixties Harold scored a one punch knockout over Derrick Austin from Langley. 

PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS & BOXING CLUBS: by Brian Zelley

 Recently added four group sites to Facebook:   ALBERTA BOXING HISTORY, SASKATCHEWAN BOXING HISTORY, MANITOBA BOXING HISTORY  & ONTARIO BOXING HISTORY .                                 

Some of the names of the 60 include boxers from the four provinces such as: Al Ford, Al Sparks,  Asif Dar, Billy Irwin, Billy McGrandle, Donny Poole, George Chuvalo, to Willie DeWitt.

 

                        

BOXING BC to consider a hall of fame:by Brian Zelley "Wishes, Hopes & Dreams"

 It is a great moment that BOXING BC is expected to vote on the possibility of a BOXING BC HALL OF FAME  and also a HISTORY section. MEHRAN is looking into the possibilities.  If the membership approve such a plan.  The idea for a BCABA  aka BOXING BC  was first suggested  in the September 1984 issue of the "BC AMATEUR BOXING NEWS" on page  8. by news editor < Brian W. Zelley

The heading of the article was "WISHES, HOPES,  & DREAMS". The piece ended with a quote: "WHO DARES, WINS".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         In 2010, six of us agreed to start a "BC Amateur Boxing Hall Of Fame ' The six became year one administrators: Brian Zelley, Dan "Mac" Mcgarvie, Ray Beaulieu, Scott Galloway, Steven Kodiak & Steve Wood.                                                                                                        

Women In The CABWOF or BCABHOF: by Brian Zelley

2010 BC boxing clubs and head folks: by Brian Zelley

                                                                                                                                                                               B  C Boxing Clubs in 2010                         

From Boxing BC records, these are some of the boxing clubs in BC in 2010:   

                                                                                                                                                                                         Action Boxing club *** Terry Cooke.                                                                              Astoria Boxing Club, George Angelomatis  Beyond Boxing, Robin,  Blue Corner  - Schubert,                  Campbell River, Mike Wood, Capital City, Chris Jones, Contenders - Ted Costelo -                                         Counterpunch -   Cranbrook Eagles - Tom White - Fernie Old School -   Garth Rizzulo -                             Gibsons - Lance Gibson - Griffin's - Dave Brett - Inner City - Bob Pegues  - Island - Jason Heit,             Just Do It  - Richard Edwards,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Kelowna - Dave Habib, Kitimat - Bill Franklin, Lights Out - Ken McInnes, Madkatz - G. Lawrence,          Maple  Ridge - John Skanks,  Mission City - Dale Gatin, Morning Star - Mark Stephen's, Nanaimo - Barry Creswell, North Burnaby - Manny Sobral, Port Kells - Al Harper, Thistletown - Graham McIntosh, Two  Rivers - Wally Doern,                                               

            

2022 VI Nominees 11 Choices: by Brian Zelley

Eddie Haddad, Fred Desrosiers, Tommy Black, Larry Cardinal, Clarke McLellan, George Nepper, Harry Morris, Lou Bujdoso,  Rick Brough, London Boxing Club/Victoria Athletic Association. The 1994 Commonwealth Games Boxing (1989 to 1994)                                                                                                                EDDIE HADDAD is in a number of sports halls of  fames such as Manitoba, Greater Victoria and Canadian Military Halls of Fame. CLARKE MCLELLAN  boxed and coached in Nanaimo and FRED DESROSIERS and RICK BROUGH  are also Canadian Military Sports  inductees for boxing. +          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Tommy Black and Larry Cardinal were great boxers.  In the 1964 Vancouver Island Championship TOMMY BLACK  outboxed Desrosiers to win a title, but Desrosiers would be an Olympic Canadian boxer in 1964.                                                                                                                                                                    HARRY MORRIS  was the founder and initial head Boxing coach for the LONDON BOXING CLUB.  GEORGE NEPPER  was the founder of Nanaimo's Newcastle Boxing Club in 1963. NEPPER would also help with the formation of the NANAIMO BOXING CLUB  co-founded by BRIAN ZELLEY  and DAN WRIGHT in 1971.    LOU BUJDOSO  was a boxer with the LONDON BOXING CLUB and one of the three initial  boxing coaches of the  VICTORIA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION along with Mike Caird & Brian Zelley. RICK BROUGH helped start the Ladysmith boxing club, served as an Island Commissioner in the eighties, served as a ring official and participated in some of the early meetings for boxing in preparation to the1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria.                                                                                                                                                                            

It is expected that the 2022 Year 2 Inductees will join the six inductees from year one 2021
;           BILLY TOWNSEND, BRIAN ZELLEY, DONNIE ORR,                                                                         JASON HEIT, JEANNINE GARSIDE  MICKEY GRIFFIN

                                                                                                     

Carded Canadian boxers 1972 to 1984: by Brian Zelley

An important program of Boxing Canada was the process of carding experienced boxers that had a chance to compete in International tournaments.

Looking back to our Canadian amateur boxing history there is a long line of the carded boxers including Dale Anderson to Don Wilson. Some that maybe best remembered names are: Chris Clarke, Ian Clyde, Cleve Denny, and Lennox Lewis.                                  

BC boxers were: Derrick Hoyt, Chris Ius, Laurie Mann, Jamie Ollenberger, Glen Quocksister, Lawrence Rolfe, Danny Thompson and Dale Walters.                                                                                                                                                      But  what about Brian, Frank and Steve Nolan,  Then we go to the east with Wayne Gordon,  Calvin Lawrence and Carrol Morgan, 

Some others were Ken Johnson, George Mason, Kelly Perlette and Carmen Rinke.
 

CarolineVeyre, '21 Olympics Boxing

Caroline Veyre is one of four Canadian boxers for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games
 three womenn boxers and one man Wyatt Sanford.                                                                                                                                                  CAROLINE VEYRE                                                                                                                         

Wyatt Sanford for the 2021 Olympics

                         A Review by Brian Zelley:                                                                                                                              video about Wyatt Sanford's  preparation for the 2021 Olympics.  Of course Wyatt would like to win a medal, He is training in preparation to face various opponents. There is another story before this one, but in this video we get to hear directly from Wyatt,

There is a lot of praise from Boxing folks that are following Wyatt's journey to the 2021 Olympic Games.  That is to be expected, but he still needs to prepare,  If we review his past achievements, we know he will do his best.  Stay tuned for more information over the coming days and months.

Three women boxers will also participate.  It is safe to say 1,000's of folks support Wyatt's journey, it is not only his locals but the whole of Nova Scotia and Canada  He does not plan to turn professional but hopes to be at the 2024 Olympics.  The team is expected to travel to British Columbia before heading to Tokyo.                                                                                                                                                  ****

Brian Zelley:  A trip to follow the progress of our 2021 Olympic boxers

More information will follow, and the three Canadian women boxers will be mentioned.

The three Canadian  women boxers are:

CAROLINE VEYRE

MYRIANE RONDEAU

TAMMARA THIBEAUT.

*********************

CANADA's WYATT SANFORD'S BOXING: by Brian Zelley

A True Canadian Champion from Nova Scotia

    INTRODUCTION;             Canadian Boxer Wyatt Sanford : by Brian Zelley.                                  Boxing Canada's registered boxer Wyatt Sanford from Kennetcook, Canada has been selected for Canada's Olympic boxing team along with three women boxers to represent Canada at the Tokyo Olympics of 2021.               From Wyatt's early days in boxing to the here and now Sanford has had a great ride to the top.    

A Canadian Boxing Star Wyatt Sanford 

Wyatt  was training with 1984 Olympic boxer Wayne Gordon back in 2016, but at the present time he trains in Quebec.  In the last several years, Sanford has engaged in a number of International tournaments such as one in London, England at Haringay.  In 2017 hR was at the worlds championships

Sonny Wong cALLS WYATT  A FINE YOUNG MAN                    Brad Ross calls him a fine man who has worked hard
 

BCABHOF 2022 Nominees: by Brian Zelley

The newest nominee, HAROLD HANDLEN

BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame
 For year 13, we have worthy Nominees. In no particular order they include:  Larry Carney, Terry Cooke, Chester Douglas, Rodger Laflamme, Paul Lemay, Kelly Ricketts, Troy Taylor, Danny Thompson, and Wayne Welsh ** boxers and builders and one association: the London Boxing Club/Victoria Athletic Association. The LBC changed to the VAA in August. 1976                                                                               Four administrators will make the final decision but will consider the data provided by the supporters of each of the ten Nominees.  Mehran Hotstuff, Brian Zelley, Joseph Pendry, Justin Pagani. In polling to-date June 1, 2021, the two leading in support are TERRY COOKE & TROY TAYLOR, but all nine individuals have adequate qualifications to be inducted.  3  .more have been nominated including FRANK ALMOND, JACKIE TURNER & SCOTT BANNICK. Two honorary Nominees include RAY LAMPKIN and NEIL KNIGHT

15 NAMES/NOMINEES                                                                                                               Chester DOUGLAS ... Dan THOMPSON ... Frank ALMOND .. Jackie TURNER ... Kelly RICKKETTS ...  Larry CARNEY .. Neil KNIGHT .. Paul LEMAY ..        ****             Ray  LAMPKIN . Rodger LAFFLAME .. Scott  BANNINK ..Terry COOKE ..  ****                       Troy TAYLOR ..Wayne WELSH .. LONDON BOXING CLUB/V. A. A.

Final Decision By Administrators:                                                                                            JUSTIN PAGANI, JOSEPH PENDRY, MEHRAN HOTSTUFF. BRIAN ZELLEY.                  

BCABHOF 2017 to 2021: by Brian Zelley

Five years of the British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall Of Fame 2017 to 2021  resulted in many interesting inductees to join the ones between 2010 and 2016. Some of those  such as the late John Gamble and Lou Bujdoso sr.                                                                                                  2017:  Allen Stockdale, Arnold McEwen, Leif Albrechtsen, Mickey Sims, Mike Moore, Tommy Yule, and Honorary: Domenic Figliomeni, Jerry Shears, Lennox Lewis,                                                                                                                                                                                 2018: Barry Krangle, Bob Decker, Brian Zelley, Clarke McLellan,  Dave Wylie, Rudy Bianco, Wayne Boyce and 2 Rivers Boxing Club.                                                                                                                                                       2019: Betty Clark, Jason Heit, Jordan Kodiak, Pat West, Roger Nepper, Richmond Boxing Club, 1968 BC Silver Gloves.                                                                                                                                                      2020: Frank Gigliotti, Ken Marjoram, Silvia Gallagher,  Skimp Williams and Val Roache. 2021: Joe Bayley, John Gamble, Joseph Pendry,                   Les Hamilton, Lloyd Anderson, Lou Bujdoso,  Phil Vickery,                                                  

       

 

London/VAA VS Nanaimo for V I B H o F

So the great club contest for 2022 Vancouver Island Boxing Hall Of Fame rests with two clubs  Nanaimo Boxing Club VS London Boxing Club/Victoria Athletic Association.  Each organization have some great moments for amateur boxing. Of interest, the two founding members of the Nanaimo Boxing Club, Dan Wright and Brian Zelley were also members of the London/VAA organization.

A poll between the two has been established but only a few folks have selected a choice as of today with 3 for London/VAA and one for Nanaimo, but that could change if more members of a few sites hits the for button.

There have been a few changes.                            

History of the two organizations are somewhat different.  VAA's Cliff Ballendine was an amazing junior boxer winning junior golden boy three times.  Wayne Crowe was a two time National runner-up.
 

YEAR 50 Nanaimo Boxing Club: by Brian Zelley

Amazing Year 51 begins in September 2021 to begin another 50 years or more or less.  Long time coach Barry Creswell has now retired, but year 51 will begin in September with four new coaches.  It has been an interesting 50 years from 1971, but the idea of forming a club became an idea in 1969 after the Newcastle Boxing Club folded for a number of reasons. The idea was initiated when Bob Lewis and Bob Pegues asked me if I could help them, so very briefly I helped them, but it would take another two years to start the club by Dan Wright and Brian Zelley, with help from George Nepper and John Ormandy. 
 

VANCOUVER ISLAND BOXING HALL OF FAME: by Brian Zelley

 YEAR ONE 2021                                                                                                                                  6 picked were Donnie Orr, Brian Zelley, Jason Heit                                                                                               Jeannine  Garside  Billy Townsend  Mickey Griffin     

BCABHOF VIDEOS; by Brian Zelley

 

 

BC Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame: by Brian Zelley

Six of the  15 Inductees 2010

Having it The British Columbia Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame was established in 2010. Fifty boxers and builders were considered but at the final selection process only 15 were picked.  

Ray Beaulieu, one of the six founders.  The other five were Dan McGarvie, Brian Zelley, Scott Galloway, 
Steve Wood and Stephen Kodiak.
 The first 15 Inductees would include five builders and ten boxers. The 5 builders: Dave Brown, Elio Ius, Fred Fuller. Pat O'Reilly and Rick Brough. Ten boxers are Harold Mann, Eddie Haddad, Jimmy Walters, Dick Findlay, Fred Desrosiers, Freddy Fuller, Frank Scott, Chris Ius, Dale Walters and Manny Sobral.  
For year two 2011 there would be ten names added making the total inductees at the 25 mark. However, the process would include clubs and events. Missing  from year two admins  was Dan "Mac".                                                                                                                                               For 2011, the boxing club selected was the Campbell Rivers Eagles Boxing club, and the event selected was the 1967 BC Centennial Diamond Belt Championships and theSnd more Diamond Boy was Dave Wylie. Also a Pioneer              selected was Tommy Paonessa.                                                                                                                         Year three 2012 would add more worthy  names including ROGER ADOLPH  and TONY DUFFY.   Then came 2013 with a high selection.