Canadian Amateur Boxing is about amateur boxing and the many stories from decades past to the here and now.
Canadian Amateur Boxing is about the many people involved
in the sport - boxers, coaches, officials and even the media.
Canadian Amateur Boxing is about a journey on the boxing highway with many paths, but for many there is only one
road and that is the road to excellence.
It is about the many past and present boxing clubs scattered
from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland.
As in 1972, returning champions were Caroll Morgan, Chris Ius, Dave Anderspn, Ian Clyde, and Marvin Arneson.
But there was a surprise from the west coast shores of Vancouver Island when Nanaimo boxer JACK SNAITH
earned the senior light-flyweight title. Then there were Leo Sauve and Denis Belaire
For Nanaimo boxing, it was a significant achievement for the club
had started
less than two years earlier in the summer of '71. The story behind the formation
of the Nanaimo Boxing Club
is interesting. Of interest, three of the key players of the new club
had former connections of Vancouver Firefighters Boxing Club under the direction of Bert Lowes and Pat West.
The three being co-founders Brian Zelley and Dan Wright and Canadian champion Jack Snaith.
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 regular contributor
to this column, providing an insight into 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 & nbsp;from a shoestring operation into one of the more respected
glove groups in & nbsp;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 for boxing to be presented properly to the public"
Some of the Faces and Names from 1971 to 2013 * Dan Wright, George Nepper, John Ormandy, Brian Zelley, Bob Pegues, Darren Lussier, Jack Snaith, Bob Jamison, Clarke McLellan, Joe Preston, Mickey Griffin, Fred Thorsell, Wayne Peace, Ricky Evenson, Dale Creswell, Barry Creswell, Dwayne Evenson, David Houlistan, Allan MacLellan, Lee Ranger, Malcolm Eldridge, Mark Gutenburg, Kelly Gourley, John Navarolli, Wayne Morgan, Barry Neufield, Britton Gillette, Tak Sasagawa, Doug English, Mark Barr, Don Preston, Robbie Wentland, Ron Williams, Stuart Springett, Norm Greenwell, Lyle Jack, Kevin Jolly, Bob Walsh, Rob Argyle, Gordy Sutherland, Melan Sears, Steve Venuti, Wade Marling, Mike Murray, Robin Murray, Lloyd Anderson, Wilf Ballendine, Pete Yawney, Larry Cooper, Fred Wicks sr., Fred Wicks jr.Stevan Melideo, Zack McKay. Some experienced boxers from other Island club would also train and fight for Nanaimo for a brief period such as Gary Wood, Alan Brown, and Tim Cessford Then of course not to be overlookedis Mike Nagra.
some of the names comnected to the history of boxing in Nanaimo and other parts of Vancouver Island
George Nepper was the founder of the Newcastle Boxing Club 1963
Nanaimo Boxing - 1963 to 2013
Lasting Ranking - October 18, 2013
Top Ten Names - Boxers and Builders
.
Six of the top ten names between 1963 and 2013 were members of Nanaimo's Newcastle Boxing club, and some were also previous members of the Chemainus - Ladysmith Boxing club before September 1963 including Skimp Williams and the members of the Nepper family. One that did not make the top ten, but would be in the top ten of junior boxers of Vancouver Island is Mike Lazare. Adds from October onward: More Newcastle history: *since adding the golden years of 1963 to 1968
this story has jumped in popularity into number 2 spot of the week and month, and to number three of all time. Due to this popularity more data will be added to recognize those glory days of the past with the likes of the Nepper brothers and George Nepper, Ted and Chris Balatti, Leo Rock, Brian Zelley, Skimp Williams, Harry Pollitt, Jerry Sorensen, the Seriani brothers, and many other boxers such as Ken Stant, Mike Lazare, Wayne Barnes, Rick Johnson, Murray Glover, and many more.
A great way to end the first year of action with Gilles Nepper and Brian Zelley winning titles, and coach Skimp Williams presenting the Skimp Williams trophy for the first of a three years run in boxing activity in Victoria. Involved in that last tournament were Leo Rock and one of our future builders: Roger Nepper.
The first six boxers to see action for the Newcastle club: Leo Rock, Chris Balatti, Gilles Nepper, Leon Nepper, Roger Nepper and Brian Zelley But, Jules Nepper, Ken Stant and Mike Lazare would quickly follow before long. Video
