Nanaimo Boxing Club

[Zelley]

A picture from April 1972 - the first boxing card for the Nanaimo Boxing Club
held at the Franklin Street Gym.

This would be the first of many hosted by the club in the Seventies & Eighties.

In reviewing the Fall 1983 issue of the "Vancouver Island Amateur Boxing News"m the first card and the picture were taken in 1972.

[Nostradama]

Reading this thread has made me wonder what happened to Gord Racette. I first saw him fight when a group of us went to one of the first of the "So You Think You're Tough" events at Frank Crane in (I believe) the late seventies. He was, I think, from Port Alberni, and went on to some professional success. I remember a winter when he was fighting in Lake Tahoe and a group of local guys went down to see his fight. Once they were there, they couldn't drive their rental car into Tahoe--the roads were blocked with snow. I later heard that he had married a lawyer from Vancouver, but that might just have been a rumour. Anyone know for sure what happened to him?

Piece of local boxing trivia: Dr. Jim Howey, who was an obstetrician/gynecologist at the Caledonia Clinic, and who died within the last year, was to my surprise, the ring doctor for at least one "So You Think You're Tough" event. I was flabbergasted to see him at ringside, and the next time I saw him, I asked why. He said he'd boxed at university while he was busy becoming a doctor. Remarkable. Tall man, very lean, must have had a tremendous reach. I remember one contestant getting knocked out of the ring, across the ringside table, and virtually into Dr. Howey's lap.

Dr. Howey was much loved and admired by a lot of the women of Nanaimo, but probably unknown to most men. But if your wife had a difficult pregnancy and there was a possibility you might lose her and your baby, it was most likely Dr. Howey who saved her life and your baby's. I've never been pregnant, but he saved my life once, too. As far as I, and a lot of other women were concerned, Dr. Howey was like a rock star.

[Zelley]

Reading this thread has made me wonder what happened to Gord Racette. I first saw him fight when a group of us went to one of the first of the "So You Think You're Tough" events at Frank Crane in (I believe) the late seventies. He was, I think, from Port Alberni, and went on to some professional success. I remember a winter when he was fighting in Lake Tahoe and a group of local guys went down to see his fight. Once they were there, they couldn't drive their rental car into Tahoe--the roads were blocked with snow. I later heard that he had married a lawyer from Vancouver, but that might just have been a rumour. Anyone know for sure what happened to him?

Gordie among other things was a referee at the recent pro boxing card held in Richmond, BC,

[Nostradama]

Gordie among other things was a referee at the recent pro boxing card held in Richmond, BC,

Thanks for the info.

[Zelley]

Sorry to hijack this thread but just some food for thought. I suspect one of the reasons Les Varro and his family is no longer involved in the club is because of lying, corruption and stealing that went on for many years. Do your own research on where the money went, just a few phone calls it won't take long; and you will see that he is a black eye to the history of the Nanaimo Boxing Club

I checked various sources, and am not amused.

[Nostradama]

I checked various sources, and am not amused.

Concerned's statement should have been removed long ago, IMHO. No proof offered, just accusations.

[Smokey©]

Reading this thread has made me wonder what happened to Gord Racette.

You wanna know about Gordy?

[Nostradama]

You wanna know about Gordy?

Thanks for that. I think I saw him in his first "So You Think You're Tough?" fight, this guy from Port Alberni that nobody knew, and he was unbelievable. I've always wondered what had happened to him, so I'm glad to hear that he's doing well and living a happy life, still active. It's certainly true that he was a huge fan favourite.

[Harewoodian]

What was the boxing club building on the corner of Harewood rd and Bruce ave. used for before it became the club house?

[Zelley]

Concerned's statement should have been removed long ago, IMHO. No proof offered, just accusations.

I think "Concerned" was stating there are facts to support his allegations.

Aside from the "bingo" or other "financial issues",
each member of the boxing club past & present should be judged
on their performance and contribution to the club activities
and for the betterment of amateur boxing
in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island and British Columbia.

The one argument that could be raised, is "where there is smoke
there is fire". But even if there was smoke & fire, the alleged events
would now be just ashes in the wind.

However, where these issues may be dragged back into the public spotlight
is if the member or members in question are nominated
for induction into the recently created Nanaimo Sports Hall of Fame.
Then "the all gloves-off"
approach might be a possibility.