BC GOLDEN GLOVES - Looking back & Looking forward

[Zelley]

With so many Golden Gloves tournaments throughout Canada and the USA,
the BC Golden Gloves on the west coast on Vancouver Island is unlikely to
compete with the major cities such as New York or Chicago.
But by BOXING BC co-hosting the event on April 16 and 17th with
the relatively new Capital City Boxing Club it may trigger renewed interest
of the sport on Vancouver Island.

As expected, there has been a variety of interest from various clubs in
British Columbia but to rise to the level of past decades
it would be nice to have some participation from USA boxers
that had competed in such tournaments as the TACOMA GOLDEN GLOVES.

The ace in the hole for expected fan attendance will be GEORGE CHUVALO,
the former top ranked heavyweight of the Sixties and early Seventies
best known for his two fights with MUHAMMAD ALI and other top heavyweights
such as the mid-Sixties bout with FLOYD PATTERSON.

In addition to Chuvalo, some members of the GOLDEN GLOVES alumni
are expected to be in attendance at the opening bell.

The best catch for the tournament
would be former Island boxer ALAN CURTIS, 1960 BC Golden Boy.

That would be a very interesting "Golden Anniversary"
for the Golden Boy. After turning pro for a short time
he worked with the likes of PHIL & DENNY MOYER.

Also, expected to appear is 2009 Greater Victoria Hall of Fame inductee
MIKE CAIRD. Mike was a former boxer and coach and worked with
the likes of JASON HEIT and DONNY ORR and many more. Some of the other coaches
that worked with Mike include Gordie McGaw, Larry Montgomery,
Brian Zelley, Lou Bujdoso, Don Orr and Ian Weir.
Other expected appearances will be made by DON ORR and GARY ROBINSON.

[Youngblood]

Hi Zelley. I'd go if it wasnt so darn far!

[Zelley]

SIXTY YEARS AGO - 1950 BC GOLDEN GLOVES:

Champions:
Mike McMurtry, Bob McGivern, Leo Logan, Don Codville,
Barnie Grace, Tom Palmer, Bob Shires and Billy Stone.

[Zelley]

SIX DAYS and counting - As the big tournament approaches there are a share of pre-competition stories appearing in the various local newspapers. Two recent ones were in the "Goldstream Gazette" with a focus on "Golden Gloves Dreams" and another in the University of Victoria's "The Marlett" paper
with a focus on one women boxer on a mission.

Life is full of hopes, dreams and anticipation for some coming event,
for many there is that slow build-up of nervous tension as one moves closer to the opening bell then the real "moment of truth" begins after the gloves are touched and the opening bell rings.

And when it comes to picking the "Golden Boy" and "Golden Girl", the pressure falls on the shoulders of those charged with the selection and often it is not an easy process to sort out all of the variables that determine the points that will cement the big awards.

[Zelley]

1975 BC GOLDEN GLOVES

Two of the interesting stories are focused on JIMMY MACMILLAN and GORDIE LAWSON.

Jimmy made a comeback after about 8 years and ended up earning the Golden Boy runner-up award. And, Gordie was the only boxer, in the two day tournament,
to score a clean knockout when his opponent was on the deck for over a minute.

[Zelley]

The Future of the Canadian Golden Gloves

Although the idea of a Canadian Golden Gloves was created
back in 1946 by William (Billy) Finlay of the Vancouver Sun,
the decision by BOXING CANADA to sponsor the 2013
initial Golden Gloves tournament at Cornwall in July did
not have much to do with "Billy's Dream"

When we look back in 2020 with clear vision, 2013 will
be one of those important critical points in the long history
of the sport of boxing in Canada. Hopefully, in year seven
or year six, there will be an impressive history of the
first five or six years and the champions will likely include
some that are not even boxing in 2013.

[Zelley]

The first day of action in the CANADIAN GOLDEN GLOVES is now history but there
will be more action on July 18th. One of the quality divisions is the men's
senior open lightweight division. Two of the expected starts to win their opening
bouts were BRAD KATONA of Manitoba and JAG SEEHRA of British Columbia.