NANAIMO BOXING HISTORY

Newcastle Boxing Club (Nanaimo, BC 1963 to 1968)

At the present time, the main boxing club in Nanaimo
is the Nanaimo Boxing Club which began in 1971.
However, before the Nanaimo Boxing Club there was
the Newcastle Boxing Club that was started by the late
George Nepper in 1963 and operated until 1968.

During the 1963 to 1968 period, coaching duties were
done by George Nepper, Harry Pollitt, Skimp Williams,
Gerry Sorenson, Gardiner Smyth, Jim Tait and Roger Nepper.

The Newcastle Boxing Club folded at the end of 1968. Some attempts were made to start a new club in 1969, but it did not last.
However, in 1971 the Nanaimo Boxing Club was started by Dan Wright and Brian Zelley. Wright was a former member of the Vancouver based Firefighters Boxing Club and the North West Eagles Boxing Club. Brian was a former member of the Newcastle
Boxing Club and the Firefighters Boxing Club.

The first fight card sponsored by the new Nanaimo Boxing Club
took place in April 1972. Both Wright and Zelley participated in bouts. Richmond's Gary Bridal faced Abbortsford's Ed Williams in
the main event.. Throughout the Seventies Nanaimo would continue to host exciting boxing cards, and compete in
numerous tournaments and club cards. The first boxer to compete
in a National tournament was Jack Snaith also a former member
of Vancouver's Firefighters Boxing Club.

For Nanaimo one of its highlights was hosting the 1978 Bathtub Capital Golden Gloves. and a follow-up tournament in 1979.