AL SPARKS and AL FORD: CANADIAN BOXERS

GREAT BOXERS FROM THE WEST:  by brian zelley

*Looking back, both AL FORD of Alberta and AL SPARKS of Manitoba
gave us plenty to cheer about with their boxing performances.

http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/sparks_as.shtml
*The above link is a memorial page for AL SPARKS who
left us on September 29, 2008 which seems like yesterday,
He is remembered for being the Canadian light-heavyweight champion
and a member of the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.  And some of us
from British Columbia remember Al and sparring in a Vancouver 
gym with amateur DAN WRIGHT.  And, some may still remember
the words of Firefighters' boxing coach BERT LOWES to Wright:
"Those gloves belong to Mr Sparks." It is kind of funny what we
remember from many years ago.

Then there is world class boxer AL FORD who is still seen at fight 
cards in Alberta.  But, some of us remember Ford when he was just
an amateur boxer in the mid-Sixties, but later would see his name
in "The RING" and "Boxing Illustrated" magazines' high rankings
and some of the boxing round-the-world news in the black and white
pages of the magazine.











(photo of Al Sparks, publicity photo see notice)  

Clyde Gray and Wilf Greaves: CANADIAN BOXING HALL OF FAME

Wilf Greaves - Boxer  Record recorded by BoxRec
\CLYDE GRAY and WILF GREAVES

JIMMY MCLARNIN

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JIMMY MCLARNING: By B. Zelley

*Beyond his days as a
boxer, Jimmy would
 return to Vancouver
for a visit or as in 1968
to be a guest for an
amateur boxing 
tournament such as
the 1968 Diamond Belt
which also served as 
the BC Olympic Trials.

*An important part of
his professional boxing
journey was his manager
Charles "Pop" Foster.

Throughout his boxing
bouts, Jimmy would be
known for his power
in his right hand which
would stop many fine
fighters and champions.
He would also become 
a full time active member
of the "Cauliflower Club" in California where many of his top
bouts were fought.  Jimmy is a member of many halls of fame
such as the California Boxing Hall of Fame, the Canadian
Boxing Hall of Fame, and the British Columbia Sports Hall
of Fame.

IN MEMORY OF THE LATE JIMMY MCLARNIN
http://jimmy-mclarnin.memory-of.com/About.aspx

THE PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS:
*It is believed and recorded that Jimmy's first pro fight took
place at the Hasting's Gym in Vancouver against MICKEY GILL. 
Beyond Vancouver he would fight in numerous location with
California being a top spot.  In the early years, he did have a 
few setbacks such as the loss to DOC SNELL in 1926, but
along the way that included the world welterweight title, he
would face many champions, uncrowned champions and
top fighters including:
Fidel LaBarba, Bud Taylor, Pancho Villa, Jackie Fields,
Kid Kaplan, Al Singer, Sammy Mandell, Billy Petrolle, 
Benny Leonard, Barney Ross, Tony Canzoneri and Lou Ambers.

JOHNNY GRECO

JOHNNY GRECO - A Cnadian Boxing Star: by brian zelley

*When a Canadian boxer
 appears on the cover of
"The RING: magazine
it validates his star 
quality.  And Montreal's
Johnny Greco was a star.

Greco's pro journey would
begin in 1940, but would
come to a tragic and sudden
 end in December 1954 at the
 young age of only 31.

Looking back over the years
between 1940 and 1954
Johnny Greco provided us
with boxing quality and 
action such has his back -
to - back bouts with the
classy BEAU JACK in
the legendary MSG in
New York.  Then win
a Canadian welterweight
title when he travelled to the FORUM in Montreal to face
DAVE CASTILLOUX, but in 1952 he would drop a split decision
to ARMAND SAVOIE.  However, he would bounce back and
regain the title and defend it a number of times.  But who would have
guessed that a bout in November 1954 would be his very last bout.
In December 1954, there would be no Merry Christmas for those
who johnny when he was killed in an auto accident.

ARTHUR KING

CANADIAN BOXING's ARTHUR KING:  by Brian Zelley

*They called this Toronto boxer
"Little Arthur" but he had a big boxing journey.
King would be a regular at Toronto's 
Maple Leaf Gardens, but would also appear
in many to face some top qulity lightweights
 and even other weight classes.  And how
 many remember  his lightweight title bout
with Canada's ARMAND SAVOIE.  


Like most boxers Little Arthur fought
 as an amateur in places like the Massy Hall
 and turned pro in 1946 on a boxing card
promoted by FRANK TUNNEY thus beginning
 a long journey in professional boxing with bouts
 against the likes of Paddy DeMarco and many more in the Fifties.

ARTHUR KING is a worthy member of  the old
CANADIAN BOXING HALL OF FAME

Andrew Singh Kooner - Boxer

Andrew Singh Kooner - Boxer

*Andrew is not currently in the hall of fame, but he will
be a potential one in future years.

Solly Cantor - Boxer

Solly Cantor - Boxer
Solly Cantor's boxing record