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

A to Z, the first name Boxing Hall of Fame

FROM A to Z: THE FIRST FIVE: by Brian Zelley

*As we look at the list in the old Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame
the first five names to appear are:

Kid Ashade -  George Alder - Robert Allan -

George Armstrong - Spider Jack Armstrong - 

SPIDER JACK ARMSTRONG
Jack was born in Scotland, but would be an active
Canadian boxer from 1936 into the late fifties.
One of his earlier high profile bouts was a 6 - round
victory over JACKIE CALLURA.

In 1938, Spider faced Baby Yack for the Canadian 
bantamweight title with the decision going to Yack.
In 1940, Armstrong faced HARRY JEFFRA for a piece
of the featherweight title with the 15 round decision
going to Harry.  And in the later years of his pro journey
one of his big victories was a decision over 
PHIL TERRANOVA.

BEYOND THE FIRST FIVE 
*A sample of those with 'B' names include a seasoned
class of fighters such as:
Frankie Battaglia, Nels Beaudry, Maxie Berger and Tommy Bland.

MAXIE BERGER
*One of the fine Jewish boxers from Montreal, Maxie would 
compete in the 1935 British Empire Games before turning pro.
During his pro journey, he would face many top ranked boxers
such as Charlie Fusari, Ike Williams, Beau Jack, Fritzie Zivic
and the great Sugar Ray Robinson.

A SAMPLE OF NAMES
*Some may be well known and some may not be on the
front page of current lists for the boxing fans, but they
all made a contribution.  A sample of names from the past:
Solly Cantor, Eddie Carroll, Al Ford, Colin Fraser, Dave Hilton Sr.,
Gale Kerwin, Scotty McCrandle, Donato Paduano and Al Sparks.

== COLIN "Tiger" FRASER ==
*Colin was from New Brunswick, but Toronto 
would be his key area for professional boxing 
mainly in the Sixties.  Along the way he would
hold the Canadian welterweight title.  Along the
way he would fight the likes of: Gary Broughton,
Don Ross, Donato Paduano and Joey Durelle.

SUPPORT DROPS for HALL of FAME

THE NUMBERS FALL
*Likely inactivity in part on the "support for the revival of the 
Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame" has dropped from 172 to 170.
However, this is not likely a major setback 

NiagaraThisWeek Article: ‘He never wanted to die alone’

NiagaraThisWeek Article: ‘He never wanted to die alone’