BOXING PIONEERS of BRITISH COLUMBIA

BOXING CLUB in the age of the Pioneers: by Brian Zelley Over the years, I have tried to speak about   many of the boxing clubs in British Columbia, Some of the data was from my own experience and much was gathered from other builders of amateur boxing in British Columbia.  Some has been reported in various publications, and some of the material is from material that has  gathered during my term as a director with the British Columbia Amateur  Boxing Association and the help of folks like Bert Lowes, Howard Curling, Marg O'Reilly, Larry Krangle and our first CABA president Jerry Shears. The Story of the boxing clubs: Some of the information in this piece was gathered during my term as the editor of the "BC Amateur Boxing News in the '80's * With so many boxing clubs where does one start?  One of the many clubs that started long before 1965 or 1971 or today was called the East Vancouver Optimists Boxing Club which  had an interesting history at a

THE GOLDEN BOYS, BC Golden Gloves (1939 to 1964 THE FIRST 25 GOLDEN BOYS - by Brian W. Zelley From it's inception in 1939, an important part of the tournament of the Golden Gloves was the selection of the Golden Boy who is deemed to be one of the best in the show. * the first Golden Boy in the 1939 "Sun Golden Gloves" of British Columbia was Phil Vickery   and the one selected in 1964 was Brian Bremner.  And, between those two would be twenty three other.  (photo:  Jack Straza -  1959) The first 25 Golden Boys: Phil Vickery     **   Terry Doyle  **   Bob Hickey Jack Hamilton    *   Harry Smith    *  Chester Orr Norm Delaire     *   Eddie Haddad *  Sammy May Don Codville      *   Barnie Grace   *  Tommy Palmer Jack Butula        *   Dave Codville  *  Billy Stone Trent Ketcheson *  Don Gehring    *  Mickey Mazur Harold Mann      *   Jack Straza      *  Alan Curtis ******   Bill (Curly) Adams  *  Buddy Palmer ****** ******    Kalman Santosi      

The Introduction of the Pioneers: by brian zelley "Our present status in amateur boxing is a large part due to the efforts and energy of those in the past.  Although it is important for the current members of amateur boxing to have a forward looking attitude to ensure growth and improvements, it is important to remember the past deeds of our active and retired members." - Brian Zelley, November 1983.  Introduction : This blog will focus on the history of amateur boxing in British Columbia to the pioneers that competed during and before 1964 and includes the boxers and the builders. A starting point will be based on a story that I did for the January 1986 of the BC Amateur Boxing News titled: 1946 Sun Golden Gloves. FLASHBACKS:  1946 SUN GOLDEN: by Brian Zelley, editor * January 1986 "BC Amateur Boxing News" with assistants from the British Columbia Amateur Boxing first VP, Sid Knopp. "The History:" "In 1939, the executive of