bzee's boxing beat

Nanaimo Boxers and Builders

The Face of Nanamo Boxing: by Brian Zelley

To trcord the history, the news media is an important part od the process. This first image lists some of the names.  Nanaimo 
names include: Gene Tait, Gerry Budzinski, Ken Barker,
Brian Zelley, and  Roger Nepper

The second photo published in the Nanaimo Daily Free Press
in 1964 shows Nanaimo boxers Brian Zelley, Roger Nepper,
Leo Rock and Gilles Nepper after the 
1964 Vancouver Island Boxing Championships.

Picture three shows six of our boxers ready for action in a club show
hosted by Victoria's London Boxng Club.

 

Above photos cover includes Brian Zelley and Jles Nepper.

brian Zelley, Roger Nepper, Leo Rock Gilles Nepper

1964 Vancouver Island Boxing Championships.

Nanaimo Boxing Club

Nanaimo Boxing Club: By Brian Zelley

The early idea for
reviving amatur boxing
came after the old
Newcastle Boxing Club closed
after the 1968 seaon.

But, it did not take place
until 1971.

A park project in Ucluelet
provided an opportunity
to get to meet with a 
Nanaimo Parks employee
who heard the story about the desire to start a boxing club. Much plannng
by Dan Wright and Brian Zelley was done at the home of John Ormandy
nnd a few visîts to see George Nepper. Also, discussion was done ẃith
the well known coach and offîcial Bert Lowes.

Brian Zelley at the Terraçe
Beach park project in 1971
a short time before the cōmpletion
of He Tin Kish park and tĥe
official start
 of the
Nanaīmo Boxing Club.
 at
the Gyro Youth Centre .

Nanaimo ring warriors, videos

Nepper and Zelley, the first champions.

Gilles Nepper and Brian Zelley, the first champiœns between 1963 to 2016.

Nanaimo Amateur Boxing 1963 to 2012

The Beginning 1963/64: By Brian Zelley

My introduction as the author requires my story

and how and when I was a part of the sport. 

The above video touches on my part ot the Newcastle and

Nanaimo Boxing clubs. For me, it all started in 1963

when George Nepper started the Newcarle boxing club in 

September 1963. A new phase of the Nanimo boxing began 

in 1971 When Brian Zelley and Dan Wright started the 

Nanamo Boxing club with the assistance of George Nepper and John Ormandy. Today, Barry Creswell is the head coach and the rest of us

are long since removed from active Nanaimo boxing.

Back In 1964:

The above photo is one of a number pf photos that appeared
in year one 1963/64. The six boxers are:
Leo Rock, Chris Balatti, Gilles Nepper, Leon Nepper
Roger Nepper and Brian Zelley preparing for one
of many boxing shows held in Victoria, BC.
Coaching at that time were Mr. Nepper, Skimp Williams
and Harry Pollitt. Others helping fromtime to time
were Rene Nepper, garner Smythe, and Frank Serianni.
Prime coach in Victoria was Harry Morris while
much admin work handled by Stan Richardson.
In 1964 some other boxers included Jules Nepper and
Mike Lazare. In the first year Gilles Nepper and Brian Zelley
would earn Island titles in the Vancouver Island Amateur
Boxing Championships which would include some
Victoria based boxers such as Tommy Black.