THE FAST & FURIOUS LIGHTER BOXERS - FLYWEIGHT to LIGHTWEIGHT - CANADIAN CHAMPIONS
For the 2010 Canadian National Championships, the bantamweight and lightweight divisions provided some interesting twists and turns in the history of amateur boxing in Canada. At the end of five days of action, it was Nova Scotia boxer
JOEY LAVIOLETTE that would regain the bantamweight title and Alberta's CAM O'CONNELL that would be declared
the new Canadian "Elite" Senior Open boxing champion that ended-up being an all Alberta lightweight final after both
Cam and Alberta's ALEX RYNN eliminated the competition in earlier action.
BANTAMWEIGHTS - With his back-to-back 2009 and 2010 victory bantamweight champion JOEY LAVIOLETTE
stands tall among other former bantamweight champions such as Chris Ius, Les Hamilton, Bill Ranelli, Dale Walters
and Geronimo Bie. Time will tell if he is able to win a Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games or Olympic medal,
but he has history on his side and the first test will be to make the 2010 Commonwealth Games boxing team.
Like some of the past champions by the time 2012 rolls around, he may be a featherweight contender.
LIGHTWEIGHTS - As new lightweight champion, it is difficult to predict the length of Cam's Championship
journey, but he has some slick shoes to fill with past champions such as Jose Martinez, Cleveland Denny, Asif Dar,
Bill Irwin and Michael Strange.
AS 2010 shifts into 2011, the question that can't be answered is what will become of KENNY LALLY and ALEX RYNN,
the same question could be asked of former champion BRANDT BUTT and light-welterweight STEFAN MELIDEO or
some of the new contenders such as MARCUS HUME and THOMAS SPEIRS. For British Columbia boxing, the coaches
need to study the history of boxing from 1966 to 1988, and try to go back in time to shine.
For boxing in British Columbia, there are many fine boxers, but they can't settle on being fine or nice. The boxers
and the coaches have a whole "heap" of rebuilding to do and that includes working on technical skills
Feb 8, 2010
BC's CANADIAN CHAMPIONS & CONTENDERS
THE HERE & NOW and CANADIAN FLASHBACKS: By Brian W. Zelley
THE 2010 SENIOR NATIONALS
For the 2010 Senior Nationals, the BOXING BC came up short with no Canadian Champions. One 2009 senior champion.,
KENNY LALLY from Prince George dropped a decision to Nova Scotia's JOEY LAVIOLETTE, and 2009 Cadet champion
STEFAN MELIDEO of Nanaimo stepped up to see action in open senior competition and lost. Then there was Prince George boxer MARCUS HUME who dropped a controversial decision. Other BC boxers also lost in early competition.
The various BC boxing clubs have received a wake-up call that they all need to step-up to meet future challenges
and reawaken the achievements of past decades when BC boxers did well such as the Seventies with such champions as
Chris Ius, Darryl Olsen, Derrick Hoyt, Frank Scott. Freddy Fuller, Jack Meda, Jack Snaith, Joe Cooke, and Les Hamilton.
In the Eighties we had the likes of Dale Walters, Wayne Welsh, Joe Pendry, and Manny Sobral
then came the likes of Jason Heit and Donny Orr.
Donny Orr was the Victoria warrior that despite injuries came back in 2000 to defeat the Canadian champion
twice in box-off competition to earn a spot on the 2000 Canadian Olympic Boxing Team, then followed-up with
the Canadian title in 2001.
Looking at those champions such as Fuller, Scott and Olsen, they were products of the Sixties,
and earned their accomplishments through a lengthy process with many actual bouts from numerous
club shows and tournaments including Golden Gloves activity in places like Vancouver, Portland, Seattle
and Tacoma. For instance between all of the heavy tournaments in 1968, they took time to travel with others
to engage in high level club shows such as an All-Star club show in Seattle which included some top level USA
competition.
Looking back from 1966 to 1984, in the lighter weight classes, how could we forget about the many boxers, fighters and warriors with the two brightest shining stars being FRANKIE SCOTT and DALE WALTERS.
Feb 7, 2010
THE BOXING HIGHWAY - 2010
(Photo - 2009 Champions)...........
2010 CANADIAN AMATEUR BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS: By Brian W. Zelley, B. Com, CA..............
After almost seven days of activity, the new men's senior Canadian amateur boxing champions
have been declared including:
Benoit FLEURY, Ahmed Kartella, Joey Laviolette, Tyler Asselstine, Cam O'Connell,
Ron Makavoz, Custio Clayton. Steve Rolls, Colin Fish, Shaver Henry and Didier Bence.
Of the list of 2009 Champions, those that retained their title include:
BENOIT FLEURY, JOEY LAVIOLETTE. STEVE ROLLS and DIDIER BENCE.
An interesting footnote from preliminary action was 2009 Flyweight champion KENNY LALLY of Prince George, BC
moved to the bantamweight division in 2010 and faced champion JOEY LAVIOLETTE from Nova Scotia.
It is unknown how many of the 2010 group of champions will be selected for the 2010 Team Canada team and
participate in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. There is a possibility that one or more champions could be replaced following the usual box-off matches some of which should take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the
Canadian Junior Nationals Amateur Boxing Championships. Also, earning a spot on the Boxing Canada Team may
not guarantee a spot on the team heading for India for Commonwealth Games action.
WOMEN's BOXING
Not to be overlooked or forgotten is the women's National Championships.
Five of the shining stars were MANDY BUJOLD, STEPHANIE WALKER, I. WOODROW,
SUSAN HAAS and KANDI WYATT.
Jan 15, 2010
VICTORIA JAYCEES BOXING CLUB
VICTORIA JAYCEES BOXING CLUB
In 1976, the Victoria Athletic Association was formed and the three coaches for the club were
Mike Caird, Brian Zelley and Lou Bujdoso. As time passed, Lou Bujdoso would leave the VAA to form the Victoria Jaycees
Boxing club. Zelley, although on the board of the VAA, would help with some of the coaching. Later when the
VAA lost their building and gym, they would train with the Jaycees.
by 1980, the Victoria Jaycees would be the key club in Greater Victoria with the Victoria Athletics limited to two key boxers
while the majority of boxers in Victoria fought under the Victoria Jaycees banner. Lou would leave to promote
Professional boxing but was replaced by the likes of Mike Sartori and Paul Deluca sr. The first major achievement of the
Victoria Jaycees boxing was the hosting of thee 1980 BC Diamond Belt Championships. The VAA would help, but it was primarily
a Victoria Jaycees affair which would be continued in subsequent years.
For most of the Eighties it would be the Victoria Jaycees that would be the key player in amateur boxing in
Greater Victoria and the Victoria Athletic Boxing Club and the coaches would fade away until a renewal after the
1994 Commonwealth Games. MIKE SARTORI would be the prime coaching force during that time period and would also be one of the first committee members for the Boxing Committee of the Victoria Commonwealth Games Society in preparation
for the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
EX- BOXERS of the VICTORIA JAYCEES
There are a number of boxers that competed under the banner of the Victoria Jaycees, one of many of interest was
RON OGDEN who came from nowhere to win in the 1985 BC Diamond Belt competition held at Victoria's
"Lansdowne Junior High School".
In 1976, the Victoria Athletic Association was formed and the three coaches for the club were
Mike Caird, Brian Zelley and Lou Bujdoso. As time passed, Lou Bujdoso would leave the VAA to form the Victoria Jaycees
Boxing club. Zelley, although on the board of the VAA, would help with some of the coaching. Later when the
VAA lost their building and gym, they would train with the Jaycees.
by 1980, the Victoria Jaycees would be the key club in Greater Victoria with the Victoria Athletics limited to two key boxers
while the majority of boxers in Victoria fought under the Victoria Jaycees banner. Lou would leave to promote
Professional boxing but was replaced by the likes of Mike Sartori and Paul Deluca sr. The first major achievement of the
Victoria Jaycees boxing was the hosting of thee 1980 BC Diamond Belt Championships. The VAA would help, but it was primarily
a Victoria Jaycees affair which would be continued in subsequent years.
For most of the Eighties it would be the Victoria Jaycees that would be the key player in amateur boxing in
Greater Victoria and the Victoria Athletic Boxing Club and the coaches would fade away until a renewal after the
1994 Commonwealth Games. MIKE SARTORI would be the prime coaching force during that time period and would also be one of the first committee members for the Boxing Committee of the Victoria Commonwealth Games Society in preparation
for the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
EX- BOXERS of the VICTORIA JAYCEES
There are a number of boxers that competed under the banner of the Victoria Jaycees, one of many of interest was
RON OGDEN who came from nowhere to win in the 1985 BC Diamond Belt competition held at Victoria's
"Lansdowne Junior High School".
ASTORIA BOXING CLUB VANCOUVER
ASTORIA BOXING CLUB
It began in the mid Sixties when some of the members of the Hastings Community Centre Boxing Club under the direction
of PAT O'REILLY left to form the Astoria Boxing Club ay the Astoria Hotel on Vancouver's east side. The primary force behind the club was WALTER BOYCE and in 1967 the primary boxing star was WAYNE BOYCE.
In 1967 after winning the BC Golden Gloves and BC Diamond Belt tournaments, Wayne would win the
Canadian Amateur Featherweight title and participate in the 1967 Pan Am Games.
AS the years slipped by some of the members of the former Northwest Eagles Boxing Club of North Vancouver
would be part of the Astoria Boxing Club story with the appearance of ELIO IUS and some of his boxers in the mid-Seventies
and by the mid-Eighties former boxer GEORGE ANGELOMATIS would head the coaching team and former Burnaby boxer
DALE WALTERS would become part of the Astoria team.
Some of the boxers that would compete for the AStoria team in the mid-Eighties would be
Laird Goodwill, Terry Dermott, Scotty Scott, Merv Davies, Jerome Briatt, Alex Bankier,
Jason Diablo, Peter Kaulius,Eddie Lee and Ray Abraham.
Nov 30, 2009
NANAIMO BOXING CLUB
NANAIMO BOXING CLUB (1941 - 2009)
Founded in 1971 by Dan Wright and Brian Zelley with assistance from John Ormandy and George Nepper
Two of the Canadian champions from the Nanaiimo Boxing club are Jack Snaith and Stefan Melideo..
Between Jack in 1973 and Stefan in 2009, the club has an interesting history, and before Jack Snaith's
in 1973, both Dan Wright and Brian Zelley engaged in bouts on the first two club shows hosted by the
club. Also, a number of young boxers competed in Bronze Gloves tournaments.
One of the important lessons that was learned early was the need for public awareness, acceptance
and education to ensure growth and activity. This was done at an early stage with direct contact with
sports editor Mark Kiemele of the "Nanaimo Daily Free Press".
May 9, 1974 Nanaimo Daily Free Press
"Good Man To Have Around" By Mark Kiemele
"For the past three years Brian Zelley has been a regularcontributor to this column, providing an insight
intyo the game of boxing.while giving astute comments on the local and international scene in the sport."
"One of the co-founders of the club. he Dan Wright, John Ormandy...built the club from a shoestring
operationinto one of the more respected glove groups in British Columbia."
January 25, 1982 Victoria's "Times-Colonist"
Sports editor Jim Reid
"There is no denying Zelley's interest in and knowledge of boxing, his concerns for the image
of the sport and the safety of the boxers, his desire forboxing to be presented properly to the
public"
Nov 27, 2009
VICTORIA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
VICTORIA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION - 1976
The Victoria Athletic Association was founded on August 31, 1976 and would sponsor a variety of sports including
amateur boxing. The three boxing coaches would be Mike Caird, Brian Zelley and Lou Bujdoso.
the first boxing card hosted by the newly formed VAA would be in November 1976 at 1600 Quadra Street
in Victoria, BC with eleven boxers from Victoria matched against clubs from Nanaimo, Powell River, and
Vancouver's Hastings Community Centre Boxing Club.
To ensure the growth of amateur boxing in Greater Victoria and Vancouver island, the next day after the
boxing card, the VAA hosted an "official's clinic" to develop local judges and referees under the rules of
the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association (Boxing Canada) by experienced BCABA officials.
Nov 16, 2009
ONTARIO AMATEUR BOXING
Ontario has a long rich history of amateur boxing with many clubs such as the Beaver Boxing Club in Ottawa.
MANITOBA AMATEUR BOXING
MANITOBA AMATEUR BOXING
From out-off the ring dust of yesterday to the achievements of
current boxers, officials and coaches, Manitoba Amateur Boxing
has and will provide some rich history to Canadian Amateur Boxing.
Two stars of the past that also had some activity in British Columbia
were EDDIE HADDAD and BILLY PINKUS.
EDDIE HADDAD
There have been a few stories touching on the achievements of Eddie Haddad.
Some of them can be found on the pages of a "Sports Hall of Fame". For Eddie,
they include Canadian Forces, Greater Victoria and Manitoba Sports Halls of Fame.
Another story is written on the wall of "Tragic Boxing Stories & Lost Warriors".
The specifics may be cloudy, but in Hope, BC Eddie was killed in a road accident.
KEN JOHNSON - A SHOT FROM THE DARK
Len Johnson was well known in boxing circles beyond the borders of Manitoba.
By 1984, his son KEN JOHNSON had hopes and dreams to make the Olympic Team.
But his hopes and dreams were dashed beyond the ring activity.
In 1984, Ken Johnson faced BC bpxer and a Canadian champion WAYNE WELSH
in Olympic Box-off action during the staging of the Junior Nationals at Burnaby
in the BCABA's boxing training centre. Ken won the ring fight, but was overlooked
when the final team was selected that included Willie deWit, Shawn O'Sullivan,
Dale Walters, Steve Pagendam, Wayne Gordon, Lennox Lewis, John Lalbhenn,
Rick Duff and Billy Dunlop.
Johnson has not been the first to be left off of a Canadian Amateur Boxing team,
and he will not be the last. The story of boxing is scattered with lost hope,
wishes and dreams of many - sometimes it is freak or poorly timed accident,
but then again sports politics from a Provincial to a National and a
International level often delivers the fatal blow like a shot from the dark.
SASKATCHEWAN BOXING
SASKATCHEWAN AMATEUR BOXING
REGINA - KEN GOFF
There is much boxing history in the clubs of Saskatchewan of which one long serving one is the
REGINA BOXING CLUB founded by KEN GOFF in 1949. Since 1994, the boxing club hosts
the annual "Ken Goff Memorial Boxing Classic. This annual show was initiated by
George Goff and Pat Fiacco.
FIDDLER, SUNSHINE & LINKLATER
There have been a number of outstanding amateur boxers over the years.
In the early Eighties one of many was CURTIS FIDLER of the Prince Albert Boxing Club.
In 1983, he received "The John Galon Trophy" as Saskatchewan's "Boxer Of The Year".
There would be other outstanding boxers such as WESLEY SUNSHINE and VERNON LINKLATER.
IAN's CORNER - SOO LINE BOXING and Coach Hartenburger
In late 1973, Saskatchewan's Weyburn boxer from the "Soo Line Boxing Club" IAN WEIR and Nanaimo's
DAN WRIGHT and BRIAN ZELLEY would join the Victoria Boxing Club that was being operated out of the
Victoria Boy's Club in Victoria, BC which was then being operated by MIKE CAIRD and GORDIE MAGAW.
With the arrival of Ian and the two from Nanaimo, it would begin a major revival in for boxing in
Victoria in the 1973/74 boxing season that would see boxer WAYNE CROWE winning a silver medal in
the Canadian senior natioal boxing championships.
Weir's Soo Line coach was HANK HARTENBURGER and one of his teammates was noted boxer and official
MORGAN WILLIAMS. Over the years, Coach Hartenburger would have fine boxers such as DON GRANT
and KELLY NELSON an many others.
In recognition of boxing coach Hank Hartenburger, he was roasted at the
Royal Canadian Legion to recognize his long service in amateur boxing.
Nov 15, 2009
ALBERTA BOXING - Then and Now
ALBERTA AMATEUR BOXING
The sport of amateur boxing in Alberta has played an important role
in Canadian Amateur Boxing
and has produce many fine boxers, coaches and officials.
Some past names to remember include Bill Page Harvey Reti, Paul Hortie,
Billy McGrandle, Alan Ford, Willie deWit, Rick Duffm Scotty Olson,
Denis Belair, and Jim Titley
But, the Alberta Amateur Boxing story is more than a few names, but it is about
the many lubs such as the Cougar Boxing Club or the West Edmonton Knights
or boxing in Medicine Hat, Calgary or Edmonton and other small tons
scatterd throughout the Province.
It is about club shows in Alberta or boxers traveling to British Columbia
in 2009 or 1985 for club shows in Cranbrook or Prince George, and
Golden Glove tournaments such as Calgary's VERN FOUTH in 1967,
or National tournaments staged each year
across Canada from east to west.
It is about novice boxers starting out,and Canadian champions engaged in International tournaments
and the Alberta coaches and officials that participated in the action far and wide such as the
1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria or the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angele.
HERE & NOW = A door to the past
In order to understand the past, we must look at the here and now because each
coach, official, executive member and active boxer involved have a story that
touches on the past.
Some of the names of today in executive positions with BOXING ALBERTA have
interesting stories that touch on past events from local shows to Canadian events.
some of the names include Denis Belair, Ginnie Brown, Kerry Fahlmanm
Sylvio Fex and Rosemary Page.
CLUBS & COACHES - The Here & Now
Some of the clubs and club officials of today have moments to remember
from the past as they weave new thread for the tapestry of Boxing Alberta.
There is the the Bowmont Boxing Club with Ginnie BROWN and the team,
but also Stuart McGrandle with the West Edmonton Knights with that old
time family connection with our Alberta star of the Sixties - BILLY MCGRANDLE.
Or slip over to Medicine Hat with Stan INSKO or at Camrose with Don WILSON
and "The Force", then in Lodgepole we find DOUG BOLIANATZ who has some
interesting stories of Commonwealth Games memories and moments such as
those interesting days in 1994 at the Commonwealth Games of Victoria
where the boxing action took place in Esquimalt which was the hot bed of
amateur boxing in the Fifties & Sixties with the likes of Alan Curtis,
Fred Desrosiers, Taylor Gordon and many more.
Or, slip into Red Deer with the likes of Rob Carswell, but some will remember
BOB CARSSWELL from Vancouver to Halifax and other location far and wide.
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION - 2009
Sometimes there is exciting action on many club cards, in recent times one
action packed boxing cards hosted by the West Edmonton featured various
boxers from Alberta and BC. With the Best Fight being
MARCUS HUME (Prince George) vs LEIGHTON KING (Camrose).
The sport of amateur boxing in Alberta has played an important role
in Canadian Amateur Boxing
and has produce many fine boxers, coaches and officials.
Some past names to remember include Bill Page Harvey Reti, Paul Hortie,
Billy McGrandle, Alan Ford, Willie deWit, Rick Duffm Scotty Olson,
Denis Belair, and Jim Titley
But, the Alberta Amateur Boxing story is more than a few names, but it is about
the many lubs such as the Cougar Boxing Club or the West Edmonton Knights
or boxing in Medicine Hat, Calgary or Edmonton and other small tons
scatterd throughout the Province.
It is about club shows in Alberta or boxers traveling to British Columbia
in 2009 or 1985 for club shows in Cranbrook or Prince George, and
Golden Glove tournaments such as Calgary's VERN FOUTH in 1967,
or National tournaments staged each year
across Canada from east to west.
It is about novice boxers starting out,and Canadian champions engaged in International tournaments
and the Alberta coaches and officials that participated in the action far and wide such as the
1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria or the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angele.
HERE & NOW = A door to the past
In order to understand the past, we must look at the here and now because each
coach, official, executive member and active boxer involved have a story that
touches on the past.
Some of the names of today in executive positions with BOXING ALBERTA have
interesting stories that touch on past events from local shows to Canadian events.
some of the names include Denis Belair, Ginnie Brown, Kerry Fahlmanm
Sylvio Fex and Rosemary Page.
CLUBS & COACHES - The Here & Now
Some of the clubs and club officials of today have moments to remember
from the past as they weave new thread for the tapestry of Boxing Alberta.
There is the the Bowmont Boxing Club with Ginnie BROWN and the team,
but also Stuart McGrandle with the West Edmonton Knights with that old
time family connection with our Alberta star of the Sixties - BILLY MCGRANDLE.
Or slip over to Medicine Hat with Stan INSKO or at Camrose with Don WILSON
and "The Force", then in Lodgepole we find DOUG BOLIANATZ who has some
interesting stories of Commonwealth Games memories and moments such as
those interesting days in 1994 at the Commonwealth Games of Victoria
where the boxing action took place in Esquimalt which was the hot bed of
amateur boxing in the Fifties & Sixties with the likes of Alan Curtis,
Fred Desrosiers, Taylor Gordon and many more.
Or, slip into Red Deer with the likes of Rob Carswell, but some will remember
BOB CARSSWELL from Vancouver to Halifax and other location far and wide.
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION - 2009
Sometimes there is exciting action on many club cards, in recent times one
action packed boxing cards hosted by the West Edmonton featured various
boxers from Alberta and BC. With the Best Fight being
MARCUS HUME (Prince George) vs LEIGHTON KING (Camrose).
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