The start was September Some early names1971 Zelley, Wright, Ormandy, Pegues, Lussier and Peace.. Over the 50 years there has been a variety of news from individual members, boxing cards and tournaments. The first boxing card hosted in Nanaimo was in 1972. But it was followed up by more club shows over the 50 years. There would be other names such as Snaith, Varro and Creswell. And We can't forget CLARKE MCLELLAN. From the club shows and training routines. the most significant event in the first few years would be JACK SNAITH winning in a National tournament. But, in a subsequent time, MICKEY GRIFFIN would defeat Jack in a bout. That would see the end of Jack as a Nanaimo boxer. Mickey would go on to be a fan favorite in Nanaimo. But, Mickey would loose some critical bouts that had disputed decisions. Mickey had earlier been praised by the coach and published in newspapers that he stood a good chance to win a spot on the 1976 Canadian Olympic boxing team. Sadly those losses resulted in the Nanaimo coach criticizing BC boxing officials in the m3dia, f8llowed by Mickey quitting his role in the amateur boxing scene. This left a black mark on coach less in two ways: 1. Publicly announcing a boxer has a good chance of winning a spot on an Olympic team puts unexpected pressure on the boxer with a potential negative factor if the dream turns into a nightmare. To add salt onto the wound, the coach publicly criticizing the boxing officials in the press can never become a positive result. The positive outcome was Mickey won a kickboxing title and would later be involved in coaching in Victoria. Beyond these dramatic moments for Jack Snaith and Mickey Griffin, there would be the cases of Bob Pegues and Dan Wright. Dan fought for Victoria, Nanaimo and North Vancouver. Bob would drop a decision to !972 Olympic boxer Leslie Hamilton, the take part in a
.(*Image: Bob Pegues fighting Chris Ius)
To get a full history of the club, all past living members need to share their experiences. For instance MICKEY GRIFFIN and BOB PEGUES have much to tell. But recent members such as Stefan MELIDEO must have a great story that will help him be a long running coach in year 51 and beyond. Then there are folks like ZACK MCKAY. Somehow we need to get a first hand story from CLARKE MCLELLAN and BARRY CRESWELL but let's not forget the Ladysmith members like BOB JAMISON. Between DAN WRIGHT and I, we have told parts of our Nanaimo Boxing story. But, also important is the story of the four new coaches starting the 50 th. year including TRISH HARDER. But let's not forget others such as ROMAN GRIMARD, CODY REDFORD, PETE SEGIE, LYLE JACK, RON WILLIAMS.
Throughout the 50 years there have been some special tournaments such as the 1978 "Bathtub Capital Golden Gloves Tournament". The first one was top quality, but the subsequent ones into the eighties were somewhat watered down with novices in many bouts. Also, the history of the club began to change in the news. The original founders in 1971 were Brian Zelley & Dan Wright assisted by GEORGE NEPPER & JOHN ORMANDY. The four new folks in year 50 are TRISH HARDER,
WILLIAMS, ROCKY MINHUS & STEFAN MELIDEO.
Stepping back to November 1976, how many remember the sparring session between boxers BARRY CRESWELL & MARK GUTENBERG as they prepared for bouts that would take place at the St. Peter's Hall? They would fight boxers from Cloverdale. Other clubs involved would be Richmond, Victoria, and Crofton. Step back to 1975, a nd the Nanaimo boxer getting the most press coverage was MICKEY GRIFFIN, Mickey also won the noted "Jimmy Symes" award for being the most outstanding BC junior boxer for 1973/74. The year 1974 would sree BRIAN ZELLEY leave the Nanaimo Boxing Club to be involved in reviving boxing in Victoria. Nanaimo sports editor had a nice column dated May 8, 1974 with the headline being: "Good Man To Have Around".
