Canadian Professional Boxing Federation

A HISTORY OF BOXING IN CANADA

This is a work in progress begun in 2000 by Len Solomon and Jerry Doiron. If you have any information to add to this body of work, please contact the following:

Len Solomon: leonard.solomon@sympatico.ca

Jerry Doiron: jdoiron@nb.sympatico.ca

All information is greatly appreciated!

ENJOY!

Updated July 20, 2003

(167 pages)

Note! Try as we do to avoid mistakes, sometimes information is still inaccurate. Please assist us in addressing any inaccuracies.

* We thank the many fighters, fans, relatives and others involved in boxing, who are responding so favourably to this history.

BOXER ALERT!!! SEEKING FEATHERWEIGHT BOXER PATRICK J. LEECH, ALIAS PAT (KID) McCOY (MANAGED BY HARRY SHEPHERD), WHO FOUGHT OUT OF MONTREAL IN THE 1950s, AFTER EMIGRATING FROM IRELAND. HE IS BEING SOUGHT BY HIS LONG-LOST BROTHER. THE BROTHERS HAVE BEEN SEPARATED MORE THAN 65 YEARS, AFTER TIME SPENT IN AN ORPHANAGE, IN IRELAND. PAT WAS AN ALL- IRELAND CHAMPION WHO FOUGHT 144 BOUTS WITH SOME OF THE TOP FIGHTERS OF HIS DAY, INCLUDING WILLIE PEP. PLEASE CONTACT US, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON PAT "KID" McCOY.

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1849 to 1919 –Canadian Professional Boxing is "Part and Parcel" of the British and North American Boxing scenes (Bare knuckles or gloves) –Canada, as a member of the British Empire, sends troops to fight on foreign soil for the first time. The field of action is southern Africa, the Boer War.

Fighters From 1849 to 1910

John "The Black Sailor" Perry -George "The Marine" LaBlanche – George ‘Little Chocolate" Dixon – Andy and Mike Ward –Patsy Drouillard – Tommy Burns -"Wild Bert" Kenney - George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey – Sam Biddle - Johnny Coulon –Billie Allen -

1849

December 10, 1849 - Australia – 6’1", 212 pound John "The Black Sailor," Perry of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, challenges Australian Champion George Hough for the Australian Heavyweight title. Hough surrenders after three rounds. John "The Black Sailor" Perry is the new Heavyweight Champion of Australia. (Perry had gotten his nickname from serving on a British man-of-war and had campaigned has a prize-fighter in England. Shortly after winning the Australian Championship, Perry retired. He spent the rest of his days training young fighters.)

1853

March 20, 1853 – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island -George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey is born. He left P.E.I. as a boy to work as a porter in Boston. He joined the boxing classes at Professor Bailey’s Hub City gym in Boston and made his professional boxing debut at Harry Hill’s notorious music hall, winning his first (6-round) fight. At 5’ 10" in height and 175 pounds in weight, "Old Chocolate" would go on to be recognized as the World Coloured Heavyweight Champion of the World, engaging in more than 100 bouts.

1856

December 19, 1856 – Point Levi, Quebec, Canada – Legendary George "The Marine" LaBlanche is born. He would go on to be one of the most feared middleweights of the 1880s and 1890s. He fought all the top middleweights of his day, including World Middleweight Champion Jack (NONPAREIL) DEMPSEY, County Kildare, Ireland, twice. March 14, 1886, in his bid for the title, at Larchmount, New York, LaBlanche was knocked out in the 13^th round. Three years later, August 27, 1889, in a non-title fight, LaBlanche knocked out Jack (NONPAREIL) Dempsey in 32 rounds, at San Fancisco, California, USA.

1867

March 28, 1867 –– the British North America Act is passed by the British Parliament making Nova Scotia, new Brunswick and the two Canadas into a united Canada, i.e. "The Dominion of Canada."

July 1, 1867 – Canada – The first "Dominion Day" is celebrated.

1867 – England – John Sholto Douglas, the Eighth Marquess of Queensbury lays out rules for boxing to replace the London Prize Ring Rules – thus making wrestling while boxing illegal.

1870

Fighters Of The Decade

July 29, 1870 –Africville, Nova Scotia - In Africville, a black community on the shore of the Bedford Basin, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, George Dixon is born. He would become world renown as "Little Chocolate" - one of the greatest world boxing champions the world has ever seen: The first Black World Champion; the first World Champion to re-claim a World title; the first World Champion to fight with another Black in a World Title fight.

1880

Fighters Of The Decade

George (The Marine) LaBlanche – George (Little Chocolate) Dixon – Harry Gilmore –George (Old Chocolate) Godfrey -

1883

March 4, 1883 - Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia – Sam Langford is born, who would become known to the world as "The Boston Tar Baby," one of the greatest boxers who ever lived. (He was the first un-crowned champion to be elected to Ring Magazine’s Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1990, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Understandably, he is a member of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.)

1886

March 14, 1886 – Larchmont, New York, USA – George "The Marine" LaBlanche from Pointe Levi, Quebec, Canada, challenges Champion Jack (NONPAREIL) Dempsey for his World Middleweight title. Dempsey knocks out LaBlanche in the 13^th round. Jack (NONPAREIL) Dempsey is still Middleweight Champion of the World.

November 1, 1886 – Halifax, Nova Scotia– Sixteen-year-old George Dixon ("Little Chocolate"), Halifax, fights his first professional bout, knocking out Young Johnson in three rounds at Halifax.

1887

1888

1888 -Peakes Station District, Prince Edward Island, Canada – William "Wild Bert" Kenny is born to John and Margaret Kenny and would become one of their four professional boxer sons. He moved to Main to lumber and then on to New York to become a steelworker.

August 24, 1888 – San Francisco – George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey, Prince Edward Island, Canada, at 35 years old, meets Australia’s legendary black champion Peter "The Black Prince" Jackson to decide the World Colored Championship. Peter Jackson outweighed Godfrey by 20 pounds. Jackson won in 19 rounds. "So long as I had to be beaten," said Godfrey, "I’m glad I was beaten by the best man in the world."

Godfrey’s most notable ring victories were over: Peter Maher, Denver Ed Smith, McHenry Johnson, Irish Joe Lannon, Patsy Cardiff, Steve O’Donnell and Joe Doherty. Godfrey even knocked out the mighty Jake Kilrain in 44 rounds.

1889

February 12, 1889 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada –Future World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Coulon is born.

August 27, 1889 – San Francisco, California, USA –George "The Marine" LaBlanche, Point Levi, Quebec, Canada, squares off with World Middleweight Champion Jack (NONPAREIL) Dempsey, Ireland - Champion from 1884 to1890 – in a non-title fight. LaBlanche knocks out Dempsey in the 32^nd round to win the fight.

1890

Fighters Of The Decade

George (Little Chocolate) Dixon – George (Old Chocolate) Godfrey - Andy Ward – Teddy Chandler – Sandy Ferguson -

June 27, 1890 – London, England – George "Little Chocolate" Dixon knocks out England’s Nunc Wallace in the 18^th Round to win vacant World Bantamweight title (116 pounds). (Bantam Class: English weight 116 – American weight 115) George "Little Chocolate" Dixon of (Africville) Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, is new Bantamweight Champion of the World. (Unable to make the weight, Dixon surrendered the title at the end of that year.)

The 5’3", 20-year-old "Little Chocolate is the first black world titleholder the world has ever had. This was to be one of many firsts for the Nova Scotian fighter.

1892

June 27, 1892 – New York – Coney Island – George "Little Chocolate" Dixon knocks out Fred Johnson in the 14^th Round to win the World Featherweight Championship. George Dixon is new Featherweight Champion of the World (Featherweight class: 117 pounds).

1895

January 18, 1895 – Leonard Renaud Dumoulinis born in the Township of Schesham, in the Eastern Townships (province of Quebec). He was to become a top five (even #3 at one point), contender (1923-1926) for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. He defeated world class boxers Floyd Johnson, Fred Fulton and George Godfrey. (He died in July of 1967 at a Sherbrooke hospital.)

1895 – Baltimore, Maryland, USA George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey retires on a winning note, after defeating Billy Woods. (Godfrey was 40 years old when, in 1893, he stepped into the ring with Joe Choynski, regarded as the finest Jewish boxer of his day, and 15 years younger than "Old Chocolate." Age finally caught up with George and Choynski’s superlative boxing skills and punching power were too much for the grand old man of the prize ring. After his 1895 victory over Billy Woods in Baltimore, he retired from active competition. Godfrey ran a successful boxing school out of Boston, which produced several champions. As late as 1899, he was still visiting Prince Edward Island with his old friend Big Dan O’Keefe. He was a shrewd businessman and the happily married father of six. George would die at his Revere, Massachusetts home, August 18, 1901.)

1897

January 8, 1897 – Toronto – Local fighter John F. Scholes fought a three-round exhibition match with "Gypsy" Jem Mace. Mace of Beeston, Norfolk, England, was born April 8, 1831 and died November 30, 1910. He was known as the "Father of Modern Boxing." (Our appreciation for this information goes out to Tracy Callis, Historian International Boxing Research Organization and The Cyber Boxing Zone.)

1898

September 24, 1898, Toronto – (Ward Family Archives) In his 16^th professional fight rugged Andy Ward of Sarnia, (Ontario) defeats Teddy Chandler, over 10 Rounds, at Toronto, to win the lightweight title. Andy Ward is the acknowledged Lightweight Boxing Champion of Canada. Andy has been fighting professionally for four years.

(Andy fought 24 fights from July 19, 1894 to April 24, 1901. He then trained his younger brother Michael.)

1900

Fighters Of The Decade

George (Little Chocolate) Dixon –Sam (The Boston Tar Baby) Langford - Mike Ward – Tommy Burns –"Wild" Bert Kenney -Sandy Ferguson -

January 9, 1900 – "Terrible" Terry McGovern defeats George Dixon to take the World Featherweight Crown, in New York, with an 8^th Round TKO.

March 18, 1900 – St. Francis du Lac, Quebec – Future Light Heavyweight Champion of the World Jack Delaney (Oliva Chapdelaine), is born. He would win a unanimous decision over World Champion Paul (The Astoria Assassin) Berlenbach, at Brooklyn, New York, USA, July 16, 1926.

December ---,1900 – Detroit, Tommy Burns (Noah Brusso), Hanover, Ontario, in his first professional bout, knocks out Fred Thornton, in Round five.

1901

July 5, 1900 – Port Huron, Michigan – Sixteen-year-old "Fighting Schoolboy" Mike Ward, brother of former Canadian Professional Lightweight Boxing Champion and Challenger of the World, Andy Ward, has his first professional boxing match. Mike Ward draws with Art St. Pierre over eight rounds.

August 18, 1901 – Revere, Massachusetts, USA – George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey formerly of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, dies at his home, at the age of 48, 18 years after his last fight.

1901

April 11, 1902 – Boston- 19-year-old Sam Langford ("The Boston Tar Baby") of Weymouth, Nova Scotia, KO’s Jack McVicar in Round 6, in his first professional bout.

1903

December 19, 1903 – Butte, Montana - Cape Bretoner Jack Munroe, takes on World Heavyweight Champion James J. Jeffries in a 4-round exhibition match.

1904

February 12, 1904 – Detroit – Twenty-year-old Canadian, Mike Ward, loses to Joe Gans, World Lightweight Champion, at Detroit over 10 rounds. Joe Gans was the first fighter to win a victory over Mike Ward in two years. Mike Ward weighed 135 pounds and stood 5’7" tall. Following the Joe Gans fight, Mike and Andy went west looking for fights in California. On April 18, 1906, they were caught in the San Francisco earthquake. The brothers returned home to Sarnia. Mike Ward announced that he was through with the fight game, forever. Mike was not sure what occupation he should follow now that he was retired from boxing. He had a good record at the separate school at Sarnia and was considering studying law. However, Mike went to Toronto and became manager of the College Inn.

Eleven months from the date of Mike’s last fight, he was coaxed back to the ring for an elimination match with Harry Lewis (real name Harry Besterman) of Philadelphia, at the auditorium in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was announced that the winner would challenge the World Welterweight Champion, Joe Walcott, for his title.

August 26, 1904 – San Francisco – Cape Bretoner Jack Munroe is knocked out in the 2^nd round in his bid for World Heavyweight Boxing Champion James J. Jeffries’s crown.

1905

January 18, 1905 – Chicago, Illinois, USA – Future World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Coulon, age 16, in his first professional fight, knocks out Young Bennie in the 6^th round.

1906

February 23, 1906 – Los Angeles – Tommy Burns defeats Marvin Hart in 20 rounds to become the new Heavyweight Champion of The World.

November 15, 1906-Grand Rapids – Auditorium – Four thousand fans packed into the Grand Rapids auditorium to witness the two world contenders, Harry Lewis and Mike Ward, do battle. In the ninth round Lewis landed with a hard right over the heart, followed in quick succession by a left jab to the jaw. Ward went through the ropes, but came back and took the count of nine on his hands and knees. Referee Ryan stepped between the two fighters to make sure Mike was not injured. He looked into Mike’s eyes and found that they were normal. His bearing convinced him that he was alright and able to defend himself, so he allowed the fight to go on. Lewis, sensing that the end was near, sent a swift left to the jaw. Mike went down and out striking his head on the unpadded canvas-covered floor making a noise that could be heard all over the auditorium.

There was a great deal of excitement. Mike was picked up and carried to his corner. Lewis patted the referee on the back and motioned to him as if he wanted him to go to the aid in bringing Mike to Lewis and his second, O’Brien, helped fan Mike with towels for some time.

The fact that Mike was fatally hurt seemed to strike instantly into every man present. Police Sergeants Howell and Milaley and several officers stepped into the ring and placed Lewis, his trainer O’Brien and Referee Ryan under arrest. They were charged with statutory murder.

Mike came to for a few minutes and talked rationally. He was then carried from the ring to the stage auditorium.

Mike Ward died of a concussion of the brain at 6:45 a.m., Friday, November 16, 1906, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was 22 years, five months and 25 days old. He had a total of 32 professional fights. (Data obtained from Richard P. Helwig family genealogical files.)

December 4, 1906 – (Cabbagetown neighborhood) - Toronto – Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, future World Flyweight Boxing Champion, is born. Albert, "The Cabbage Town Kid," was also known in boxing circles as "L’il Dempsey," "L’il Dynamite," and "The Canadian Wolverine." He was world Champion 1927-1928.

1908

1908 – New York – "Wild Bert" Kenny, formerly of Prince Edward Island, Canada, turns pro, out of Billy Gibson’s legendary Fairmount Club, with Charley Rose acting as both his coach and manager. Over the next two decades "Wild Bert" would engage in more than 100 fights, winning the majority. Over the next two decades "Wild Bert" would fight an estimated 100 bouts, winning the majority. The Prince Edward Island boxer would be a headline draw on both sides of the Atlantic. Among the many international titleholders who Kenny battled are the European Heavyweight Champions Ermino Spalla and Irish Light-Heavyweight Champion John "Jack Runner" Reddick.

Among his other formidable ring opponents are: Joe Jeanette, Billy Miske, Jeff Clarke, "Panama Joe" Gans, Tommy Gibbons, Johnny Risko and the former World Light-Heavyweight Champion "Battling" Levinsky. But the boxing match for which "Wild Bert" Kenny will best be remembered is his July 8, 1916 ring war with the great Jack Dempsey, who would reign as World Heavyweight Champion from 1919 to 1926.

January 8, 1908 – Peoria, USA – Johnny Coulon, formerly of Toronto, Canada, wins the American Bantamweight title with a 10-round decision over Kid Murphy.

January 29, 1908 – Peoria, USA – Johnny Coulon defends his American Bantamweight crown against Kid Murphy. Coulon defeats Murphy, on points, over 10 rounds.

February 20, 1908 – Peoria, USA – Johnny Coulon successfully defends his American Bantamweight title from a challenge by Cooney Kelly, with an 8^th round knockout.

November 4, 1908 – New York City, USA – Johnny Coulon defends his American Bantamweight title against Young O’Leary. No Decision (Draw). Coulon is still American Bantamweight Champion.

1909

February 11, 1909 – New York City, USA - Johnny Coulon wins in 5 rounds over Kid Murphy, to successfully defend his American Bantamweight title.

November 23, 1909 – Location ? – Johnny Coulon defends his American Bantamweight title against Kid Graves. Coulon and Graves fight to a draw in 6 rounds. Johnny Coulon is still American Bantamweight Champion.

1910

World War One (WW1) - The Great War - The War to End All Wars - 1914 -1918

August 4, 1914 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canada is included in Britain’s declaration of war on Germany.

November 11, 1918, in a railway car in the Forest of Compiegne, France, north of Paris, Germany signs the armistice to end "The Great War."

1910

Fighters of the Decade

Johnny Coulon – "Wild" Bert Kenney – Patsy Drouillard – Eddie Tremblay – Billy Allen – Frankie Fleming – Young Joseph –Tommy Houck – Joe Burns – Johnny O’Leary – Johnny Lore – Ernie Barrieau – Frank Barrieau – Joe Bayley-

January 30, 1910 – New Orleans, Louisiana, USA – John Coulon knocks out Earl Denning in the 9^th round to retain his American Bantamweight title.

March 6, 1910 – New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - Johnny Coulon meets Jim Kendrick, British Champion, to decide the World Bantamweight title. Coulon wins with a knockout in the 19^th round. Johnny Coulon, formerly of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is finally recognized as Bantamweight Champion of the World.

December 19, 1910 – New Orleans, Louisiana, USA – Johnny Coulon defends his World Bantamweight title against Earl Denning, again, with a win in 5 rounds.

1911

February 26, 1911 – New Orleans, Louisiana, USA – Johnny Coulon successfully defends his World Bantamweight title against Frankie Conley in 20 rounds.

May 23, 1911 – St. Eugene, Quebec – Future Welterweight & Middleweight Champion of the World, Lou Brouillard (Lucien Pierre Brouillard) is born. A left-hander, Brouillard would go on to win the Welterweight title by defeating American (Young) Jack Thompson, at Boston, on points, over 15 rounds, October 23, 1931 and the World Middleweight title by knocking out American Ben Jeby (Morris Jebaltowski), in the 7^th round, at New York City, August 9, 1933.

November 11, 1911 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – The Inaugural Canadian Lightweight Title Fight - Canadian Lightweight Champion (by Declaration) Billy Allen, Ottawa, Ontario, defends his "Flanagan Belt" (emblematic of Lightweight Champion of Canada), against Patsy Drouillard, Windsor, Ontario. Allen wins on points over 12 rounds. Billy Allen of Ottawa is the first "Official" Lightweight Champion of Canada and proud wearer of the "Flanagan Belt."

(This information, compliments of Michael DeLisa, popular boxing website: Cyberboxing zone.)

This belt was donated by the Tom Flanagan that operated "St. Patrick’s Athletic Club," in Toronto, around that same time – (1890s to 1920s). He was also manager of World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson.

1912

February 3, 1912 – Vernon, California, USA – Johnny Coulon wins in 20 rounds over Frankie Conley to retain his World Bantamweight title.

May 3, 1912 – New York City - Frankie Fleming, Toronto, knocks out the fighter who would become known as the "great" Benny Leonard, New York City, in the 4^th round.

May 8, 1912 – New Orleans, Louisiana, USA – Johnny Coulon retains his World Bantamweight title with a 20-round win over Frankie Burns.

October 18, 1912 – New York City, USA – Johnny Coulon successfully defends his World Bantamweight title against Kid Williams with a No-Decision (Draw) over 10 rounds.

1913

May 24, 1913 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Joe Bayley meets Ernie Barrieau, Vancouver, to decide the Canadian Lightweight championship. Bayley knocks out Barrieau in the 10^th round to win the title. Joe Bayley is the Lightweight Champion of Canada.

(Some of the many pieces of important information acquired from the popular website, BoxRec, for this site.)

July 1, 1913 – Vancouver, British Columbia - Charlie Lucca of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan loses a 10 round decision to future Canadian Welterweight Champion Ernie Barrieau of Vancouver.

1914

January 23, 1914 – Montreal, Quebec – Young Joseph meets Frankie Fleming, Toronto, to decide the Canadian Featherweight title. Fleming knocks out Joseph in the 3^rd round. Frankie Fleming is the new Featherweight Champion of Canada.

June 9, 1914 – Vernon, California, USA – World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Coulon defends his title against Kid Williams. Williams knocks out Coulon in the 3^rd round. Kid Williams is the new Bantamweight Champion of the World.

August 4, 1914 – Ottawa, Ontario - Canada enters "The Great War," World War 1.

Patsy Drouillard is Lightweight Champion of Canada from 1914 to 1918. He retired as champion.

1915

January 9, 1915- Montreal, Quebec – Tommy Houck challenges Frankie Fleming for his Canadian Featherweight title. Fleming wins on points over 10 rounds. Frankie Fleming is still Featherweight Champion of Canada.

November 2, 1915 – Edmonton, Alberta – Edmonton Herald: "Johnny Lore, who makes his headquarters at Montreal, is busy claiming the lightweight championship of Canada and states he has just as much right to the title as has Johnny O’Leary. Discussion of this case necessitates the raking up of some ancient history. Some four years ago, Tom Flanagan of Toronto donated a championship belt which was to be emblematic of the Canadian lightweight Championship and handed over the jewelry to Billy Allen of Ottawa, to defend. Allen was then conceded to be the best boy of his weight in the Dominion, and had boxed with great success across the border. Patsy Drouillard of Windsor, Ontario, challenged for the belt and was outpointed in twelve rounds by Allen."

(This information, compliments of Michael DeLisa of the popular boxing website: Cyberboxing zone.)

1916

July 8, 1916 – New York, USA – Heavyweights "Wild Bert" Kenney, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and Jack "The Manassa Mauler" Dempsey, Manassa, Colorado, USA fight a veritable war to a 10-round (no-decision) draw. Jack Dempsey would recall in his autobiography:" Kenny and I earned our money that night at Gibson’s. I dropped him in the second. He bounced me off the floor a couple of times in the third. By then we had learned each other’s strong points and weaknesses, and for the next seven rounds I fought one of the most brutal fights of my life… I could have sold the blood for fourteen dollars."

1918

Patsy Drouillard retires. Canadian Lightweight title is Vacant.

January 30, 1918 – Sohmer Park, Montreal, Quebec – Frankie Fleming meets Joe Burns to decide the Canadian Featherweight title. Fleming wins on points over 10 rounds. Frankie Fleming is still Featherweight Champion of Canada.

November 11, 1911 (11 a.m.) – Germany surrenders. Armistice is signed. "The Great War," World War 1, has ended.

1920

The "Sizzling" 20s. Boxing’s Golden Age. Was there anything we wouldn’t try?

FIGHTERS OF THE DECADE

The sizzling 20’s – Canadian Professional Boxing Federation is formed. – Jack Reddick- Charlie Belanger – Chris (Blonde Bomber) Newton – Jackie Johnston – Howard (Sailor)(Duke of Duluth) Mayberry – Vic Foley – Cliff (Old Warrior) Graham – Jimmy Britt – Alex Burlie – Agnew Burlie - Carl Tremaine –- Leo (Kid) Roy – Harry Hill – Horace (Soldier) Jones – Larry Gains – Steve Rocco –Bert Schneider – George Sidders – George Fifield – Doug (Dug) Lewis – Jack McKenna – Clovis Durand – Sam (The Boston Tar Baby) Langford – Albert (Frenchy) Belanger - Benny Gould - Freddie Vincent – Harry Stone – Jack Delaney (Ovila Chapdelaine) – Jack(Leonard Renaud Dumoulin) Renault - Roy Mitchell – Bobby(Bad News) Ebber (Robert Tebbs) – Curly Wilshur (Barney Isenberg) – Jackie Lewis - Al Foreman (Bert Harris) – Billy Townsend – Tommy (Red) Bragan – Johnny McGregor – Elmer Watt – Tommy Mitchell –Bobby Booth – Billy Barnicott –Billy Gibbs – Tommy McDonald - Sid Conn – Freddie Vincent –Donny Mack – Harry Stone – (Kid) Gagnon – Fred Saltelle –Phil Rivers – Mickey McDonald – Jack Henning - Harry (The Battling Bricklayer) Henning –Charlie Miller – Johnny Headly – George Smith –Ken Raifman –Joey Troy – Frankie Bull – Fern Bull – Frank Condon –Allan Holmes –Jackie Phillips – Bert Hillier – Red Meech –Ernie Christensen (Kid Christie) - Del Fontaine - Phil Lisner- Young Kozer- Eddie Paulhus –Silvio Mireault –Jack Silver – Ossio Bodkin – George Barber –Spinney Weinraub –Cecil Levi(The Boxing Printer)- Lolly (Pop) Levi – Jack Golden –Tom Hood –Freddy Tilston – Chappie Brewer –Silvio Mireault – Red Meech – Scotty Inkster –Harry Dillon –Georges Chabot –Teddy Beardwood – Alex Hunt- George Preston – Arthur Deschamps – Gene Deschamps – Ralph McNaughton – Arthur(Artie) Giroux – Harvey Holliday – Frankie Day – Johnny Morris – Ernie Brooks – Bert Brown – Jim Burns – Johnny Grant – Ernie Taylor –Jim Hanna – Billy Ayrton –George LeBlanc – Joe Hartnett- Sam Hackett –(Sgt)Tom Dyer – Jack Jarvis – Fred Crompton – Sgt. "Red" Kettle –Jackie Lewis - Percy Buzza –Eddie Tremblay – William "Big Bill" McKinnon –Roy Chisholm –Bert Schneider – Ray Romney –Jimmy Fleming – Pee Wee Gale (David John Galinet) –Joe Bayley -Ernie Barrieau - Frank Barrieau – Jack (Kid) Thomas – Red MacDonald – Danny Kraemer – Jimmy Bouth – Bert Hillier – Jack Ware – Lewis (Kid) Mitchell – Jack Duskin – Gerald Beaudin – Billy Defoe – Ed Bradie – Jimmie Galvin – Joe Villineuve – Billy Green – Barney Shultz – Scotty McKay – Barney McGregor - Young McCarty

March 9, 1920 – Kitchener, Ontario – The News Record – DYER AND JARVIS WILL AGAIN TRY TO SETTLE DOUBTS – Will Meet Here Next Week In Ten Round Bout - More Bouts are coming through the efforts of local men, a program of the standard which was shown at the bouts last week is to be given next Monday evening.

The most interesting item will be another bout by Sgt. Tom Dyer and Jack Jarvis. Each of the two believes that he can beat the other and is to give another opportunity to each that the bout is being put on. After the fight last week Dyer expressed the conviction that he could win over Jarvis and apparently the two have been able to make satisfactory arrangements for another bout. It will be ten rounds and if not finished at the end of the tenth it will be called off. Fred Crompton, the Canadian Welterweight Champion and Sgt. "Red" Kettle will be seen in another fixture. Kettle since the last bout has been anxious to meet Crompton again and thinks that he will be in better condition on this occasion. This will also be ten rounds.

The local boys Barney Shultz and Scotty McKay will again fight. Their opponents will be Barney MacGregor of St. Thomas and Young McCarty of Galt, respectively. These two bouts are to be for six rounds.

The bouts will be held in the G.W.V.A. hall as heretofore.

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March 16, 1920 – Kitchener, Ontario – The News Record –

EIGHT ROUNDS TO A DRAW – Sgt. Tom Dyer And Jack Jarvis Were Again On Bill – The fans of Kitchener and Waterloo last evening were again treated to a good exhibition of boxing although the program was short and not as had been expected. Sgt. Tom Dyer and Jack Jarvis boxed eight rounds of two minutes each. This and the exhibition by the Gillette brothers of Preston were the only events put on. Several of the other boxers did not show up and the program as a result, was limited. Fred Crompton did not appear, claiming it is reported that there was not enough in the event for him. Sgt. Kettle and Barney Schultz were both ill and could not participate.

Jarvis announced before the event opened that rather than disappoint those who had come to the hall, namely the G.W.V.A. quarters, he would box eigtht rounds with Sgt. Tom Dyer, although there was hardly the expense in it for him. The bout was an interesting one and was greatly enjoyed by the fans around the ring. It ended in a draw. Some there were who thought that Dyer should have had the decision. By the way, in the fourth round Jarvis was knocked down and remained down, some claiming that the count should really have been more than ten and that he was really out. However, he got up and resumed the fight and continued aggressively until the end of the eight rounds.

The attendance at the bouts was about the same as at the previous bouts.

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March 17, 1920 – Kitchener, Ontario – The News Record –"Arrangements for the appearance of Jimmy Wilde, flyweight champion of the world, in Windsor, under the auspices of the Windsor unit of the Army and Navy Veterans of Canada, have been placed in the hands of a sports committee of veterans." ….. "TO-DAY’S CALENDAR OF SPORTS – DOG RACE – Annual 100-mile Hundson Bay Dog Derby starts from The Pas, Manitoba."

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March 19, 1920 – Kitchener, Ontario – The News Record – Boxing: A.A.U. International Championships, at Toronto, Jack Sharkey Vs Earl Puryear, the St. Paul Bantamweight, as his opponent, 12 rounds at Baltimore. Jack McCarron Vs Johnny Howard, 8 Rds, at Paterson. Fighters To Meet – Baltimore Md, March 18, 1920 – Jack Sharkey, who has been fighting in excellent form of late, will be seen in action here, tomorrow night with Earl Puryear, the St. Paul middleweight, as his opponent. The contest will be for twelve rounds. Both the boys are prime favourites with the Baltimore fans and it is expected that a large crowd will be on had to see the bout.

---------------1920 – Antwerp, Belgium – Summer Olympics –

Albert "Bert" Schneider wins Gold Medal for Canada in the Welterweight Division (147 lbs.- 67 kg).

Chris Graham wins Silver Medal for Canada in the Bantamweight Division (119 pounds – 54 kg).

Clarence "Chris" Newton wins Bronze Medal for Canada in the Lightweight Division (132 pounds – 60kg).

Georges A. Prudhomme wins Silver Medal for Canada in the Middleweight Division (165 lbs. – 75 kg).

Moe H. Herscovitch wins Bronze Medal for Canada in the Middleweight Division (165 lbs – 75 kg.)

Frank Di Gennara (Frankie Genaro), wins Gold for USA in the Flyweight Division (112 pounds – 51 kg).

---------1920 – London, Ontario –Tony "Kid" Zoccano defeats Eddie Morgan of Rhode Island to win Canadian Featherweight Title. (Dates, sanctioning etc. not confirmed.) Tony "Kid" Zoccano is new Canadian Featherweight Champion. (Note! Zocanno’s record has never been verified. This information was a part of his obituary in the Brantford area newspapers.)

1922

January 10, 1922 – Montreal – Jack (Kid) Thomas meets Frank Barrieau, Vancouver, to decide the Canadian Welterweight title. Barrieau wins on points over 10 rounds. Frank Barrieau of Vancouver, British Columbia is the Welterweight Champion of Canada.

April 11, 1922 – New York City – World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jack Dempsey sails for Europe, today.

April 17, 1922 – Kitchener, Ontario – Tommy Dyer, well known Kitchener boxer, plans a re-entry to the roped arena and with that in view is leaving for England within two weeks.

Tommy refuses to be called a "has been," though he is 46 years old and he is confident that he has a lot of fight left in him yet. He has been working out since New Years and is now down to a weight of 135 pounds. Dyer figures there is a little coin to be made in boxing in England and after he has garnered a little of it he is willing to retire.

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April 20, 1922 – Kitchener - Kitchener Daily Record –"Lumber Jack After Dempsey’s Title – Eliziar Rioux, 240 pounds, 23 year old giant, who aspires to battle champion Dempsey. Rioux, who is 6 feet 4 ¼ inches in height was discovered by Dr. Gadbois, of Quebec (who is backing him), in a northern lumber camp." (Editor’s note: It would seem, that the good doctor Gadbois was either not concerned about his patient’s health, or wanted to study concussions.)

1923

November 2, 1923 – Toronto, Ontario - Benny Gould meets Curly Wilshur (Barney Isenberg, formerly of London, England) to decide the Canadian Featherweight title. Gould wins on points over 10 rounds. Benny Gould is the Featherweight Champion of Canada.

1924

----------------1924 – Paris, France – Summer Olympics –

Douglas "Dug" Lewis, Toronto,wins a Bronze Medal for Canada in the Welterweight Division (147 lbs. – 67kg)

Agnew Burlie, Toronto, is a member of the Canadian team.

Fidel La Barba wins Gold for USA in the Flyweight Division (112 1bs.- 51kg.)

November 7, 1924, Toronto Daily Star – Atlanta, Ga. – Jack Reddick Puts Soldier Buck Away – Jack Reddick, Moose Jaw, (fighting out of Toronto), Canadian Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion, knocked out "Soldier" Buck for a row of fence rails in the second round here last night. Buck was tough and gave the Canuck plenty of trouble until the boy from the north shot him one in the jaw. It was a short right jolt and Buck slumbered peacefully while the sexton tolled the bell. Reddick left for his hometown today.

November 8, 1924, Saturday – Toronto Daily Star

ONTARIO ATHLETIC COMMISSION REPORT – Fourth Year of Its Control of Professional Boxing and Wrestling

The Ontario Athletic Commission has just closed the fourth year of its control of professional boxing and wrestling in the province and its coaching of athletics in the schools of Ontario. The report prepared for the annual meeting is just to hand remarks on the smoothness and the satisfaction of the work of the year, in which promoter, manager and boxer alike have come to understand that the commission is working in the interests of them all.

The licensed club idea, which applies to Toronto only, has, the report declares, worked out to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In as much as Toronto has carried the heavy burden of the boxing of the year and the financing of the commission has largely come from this city, the success of this idea means much toward the smooth working of the business of the commission. Permits for 43 Professional boxing shows were granted during the year and of these 23 were held in Toronto, 16 of them in the Coliseum or the Arena, being classed as "big shows." The other places to hold bouts were Ottawa, 5; Hamilton, 4; Windsor, 4; London, 2; Brantford, Fort William and Trenton.

Disputes of "more or less" magnitude were adjusted amicably or otherwise; three from Toronto, one from Hamilton, one from Ottawa and one from Trenton being the most prolonged. None of them was of any special interest except to those involved.

A CANADIAN FEDERATION

The report refers to the fact that a Canadian federation has been formed as a clearinghouse for the several provincial commissions, with a view to having each recognize the rulings of the other. With this united front, the relationship of the Canadian commissions to those in the United States would be one of affiliation and recognition and not one of the Canadian body being a mere factor in the United States wheel. In this connection, the report voices the dissatisfaction experienced in doing business with the New York State Commission which evidently aims to bring all other commissions under its’ nod.

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November 17, 1924 – Toronto Daily Star- Howard Mayberry, Canadian Bantamweight Champion, has been finally forced to meet Freddie Vincent, this new English bantam in the Hopewood-Conkle stable in Hamilton. They go 10 rounds Friday night, in Hamilton, at 118 pounds and if both make the weight the bantamweight title is at stake whether the articles call for it or not. Hamilton experts say Vincent has all Ebber’s speed plus the punch of a "Midget" Smith.

Note! This Conkle is the same Charlie Conkle who fought former world welterweight champion James Rube (The Kansas Ruby) Ferns and lost on a foul in the 3^rd round, at Niagara Falls, in 1906. Charlie claimed that he was the winner by a knockout and he was awarded the win (hand raised in victory), until the Ferns corner, fans, and the referee decided that he hadn’t stepped back after the referee had ordered: "Break!" Alas, the loss. Charlie was from Ohio and had migrated to Hamilton, Ontario. He was an amazing athlete who was a champion professional wrestler, also, back when we still believed in wrestling. He owned the most famous garage (white) in Hamilton. His grandson Tony Conkle, who lives in Clayton, California, followed in Charlie’s footsteps for athletic prowess. He recently won a World Championship for Power-Lifting and has been honoured by his old highschool for the honour he garnered for his alma mater in various sports.

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November 20, 1924 – Toronto Daily Star – The International Matchmaker is making an effort to secure Kid Vick of Syracuse for Jimmy Britt, the Canadian 112 pound Champion and if he puts this one away, he will have a bout worthy to headline any card.

November 22, 1924 – Toronto – Albert (Frenchy) Belanger (the original Cabbagetown Kid), Toronto, future World Flyweight Champion (1927-28), meets Billie Barnicott, Hamilton, in Belanger’s first professional boxing match. The fight is declared a draw. The youthful Belanger looked like an infant beside Barnicott, though there was only 3 ¼ pounds difference in the weights. He had the Hamilton boy out-pointed until the last round, when he fell through the ropes against the press table and injured his back. Barnicott rushed his injured adversary then and earned himself a draw.

December 20. 1924- Toronto Daily Star – Jack Reddick, Canadian Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, today, received a wire from Scotty Monteith of New York offering him a main bout in Madison Square Gardens with Jack Delaney of Bridgeport, Con., the Canadian-born middleweight, who stopped "Paralyzing Paul" Berlenbach’s string of kayo victories last spring. Evidently Reddick made a hit with the New York promoters the night he gave Berlenbach such a rousing battle. Reddick is considering the offer, but the chances are that he will hang on here this winter and get some more experience, before he goes up against the challengers and contenders. Reddick’s suspension will be up early in January.

1925

January 2, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – Mayberry Gets Another Chance At Foley – Walter Obernesser of Hamilton, manager of Howard Mayberry, ex-bantam champion of Canada, announced yesterday that he had matched Mayberry to box Vic Foley of Vancouver in a return bout. – Foley took the title from him on a knockout in the third round, at Vancouver, last month. They will meet for the title in Winnipeg about January 21.

January 2, 1925 – Toronto –Toronto Daily Star– Jackie Johnston Wins with a Double Kayo, Put Freddie Vincent Away Twice in the 2^nd Round – Fifield, Headly, Belanger win.

January 2, 1925 –Drumheller, Alta. – Toronto Daily Star – A Knockout At Drumheller – Tommy Rogers, the western Canada welterweight champion, was knocked out by Morris McDonald the "pride of Drumheller Valley" just 50 seconds after the opening of the fourth round of their scheduled 12-round bout here, yesterday.

February 2, 1925 –Toronto – Toronto Daily Star – Boxing fans are evincing great curiosity over the new Canadian Bantam Boxing Champion from British Columbia – Vic Foley. Yesterday, the Classic A.C. gym was packed with fans who wanted to see Foley do his stuff, but the little fellow was not there. Foley is a good churchman and never trains on Sunday. He will be "at home" to the fans every afternoon from 3 to 4 at the Classic Club. Foley is certainly an eye full of action.

February 2, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – The record of Vic Foley of Vancouver. B.C., Canadian Bantam Champion, who boxes Jackie Johnston of Toronto, for the Canadian title at the Coliseum here Monday night (February 9), shows only one defeat by a legitimate bantam. His conqueror was Billy Masicott. The record is taken from T.S. Andrews Boxing Record, a recognized and reliable compilation of records. Vic Foley, born Nov. 2, 1902, Slocan, B.C. weight 118 lbs., height 5 ft. 3/12 in. Nationality, Irish –Canadian. Started boxing March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), 1922. He won the Canadian Title December 9, 1924, when he beat Champion Howard Mayberry, of Hamilton, at Vancouver, in his 54^th fight. His manager is Jack Allen.

February 9, 1925 – Toronto – Toronto Daily Star – Former Amateur Boxer Will Get His First Crack At Big Game At The Coliseum To-night. If Foley retains his championship he will beat the best boy that has been produced around here in many years. Johnston was the kingpin of the amateur brigade for several seasons and but for the fact that he was not allowed to compete in the Olympics on account of a technicality, it is the general belief that he would have come home from France tagged as the world’s champion. He is a smart, brainy youngster and his defeats as an amateur were few and far between. Since he became a professional, the only reverse that he has met was at the hands of Phil O’Dowd, the freakish Columbus veteran and Johnston would have beaten that old timer had he boxed less cautiously. Win or lose to-night, he will give a good account of himself. Challenger Jackie Johnston is 19 years old. His manager is Eddie Williams.

February 10, 1925 – Toronto – Coliseum –Toronto Daily Star – BANTAM CHALLENGER DRAWS WITH CHAMPION – Judges Split And Referee Refuses To Break Deadlock in Titular Bout. Johnston Beat Foley In Open, But Champion Was Much The Best On The Inside. Foley is still Canadian Bantamweight Champion. Alex Burlie (Toronto flyweight), knocked out Kid Atherley, Syracuse in 2^nd round. Frenchy Belanger (Toronto flyweight) drew with Willie Davies, Pittsburgh. Attendance 6,000. The best bout of the evening’s menu was not the main bout. It was the draw bout between "Wee" Willy Davies of (Charlerois) Pittsburg and "Frenchy" Belanger of Toronto. Davies had a couple of pounds on the Toronto kid…

CANADIAN BANTAMWEIGHT CHALLENGER ELIMINATION CONTEST

February 18,1925-Toronto-Toronto Daily Star – Mayberry Down to Weight For Britt – It will be news to a whole lot of local boxing fans to know that Jimmie Britt of Montreal, ex-flyweight champion, will have more difficulty in making the weight for his bout here Monday night, at the Standard Theatre, with Howie Mayberry of Hamilton, than the ex-bantam champion.

February 18, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – Louis Larivee, sporting editor of Le Canada, of Montreal and a member of Montreal Boxing Commission, in an item in his paper, openly charges Hamilton with "lying down" to St. Pats here Saturday night for the purpose of keeping the Canadiens out of the N.H.L. playoffs.

February 20, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – Jack Jarvis, manager of Harry Henning, the amateur middleweight champion who recently turned pro has issued a challenge on Henning’s behalf to Jack Reddick, the middleweight champion for a bout at 160 pounds for the Canadian title. Jarvis holds contracts on both boys, but Reddick wants to break away, hence the challenge. There is another angle too – Jarvis thinks that Reddick cannot make the weight and inserts a clause in the challenge demanding a weight forfeit for from $50 to $1,000. Reddick comes right back with an offer to fight Henning at 160 pounds in private or in public with the proviso that if it is in public that it will be a curtain raiser on some show and says that in that case he will take a bag of peanuts for his end.

February 20, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – Quebec –The Quebec boxing commission has suspended Leo (Kid) Roy, of Montreal, Featherweight Champion of Canada, his manager Raoul Godbout , Ruby Stein of New York and Johnny Cooval, Stein’s manager, for a month. The fighters were suspended for putting on an unsatisfactory bout here and their managers for abusing the referee. The promoter of the show, W. G. Carbray, was suspended indefinitely pending a satisfactory explanation of the circumstances surrounding the unsavory bout. Roy is in New York, where he will meet Billy Kraemer, of Philadelphia, in a featherweight bout.

February 24, 1925 – Toronto – Standard Theatre – MAYBERRY PINKED BRITT FOR QUICK K.O. – EX- BANTAM CHAMPION FLATTENED EX-FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION IN FIRST ROUND. Vic Foley’s next opponent for his Canadian bantamweight chapeau is Howard Mayberry of Hamilton…

February 25, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – Quoth Jack Reddick (Moose Jaw), Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion of Canada, as he watched Howard Mayberry topple Jimmie Britt over in the first round, up at the Standard Theatre, Wednesday night: "If that had been me, this gang would be roaring: " ‘Another set-up for Reddick.’ ‘S tough!’" - Reddick has gone to Port Maitland with Joe Corcoran of Niagara Falls on a fishing trip. –

Howie Mayberry’s new baby will not know daddy to-day. Howie has a fine shiner over the right eye. Raymond the Frenchman who fought him, wants another chance. He deserves it on his good showing. –

"I hope the fans are satisfied now," said Jack Reddick after the bout with Harry Greb. "I knew that I had no business in there with a champion like Greb, but I will not have any man say that I am yellow. Now, I guess that they will let me go along and fight the second and third raters I should be fighting for a year or two yet."

Mayor Foster was there. So were the members of the new Ontario Athletic Commission.

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February 25, 1925 – Cleveland, Ohio, USA – Carl Tremaine Shades (Eddie Fireball) Martin – Carl Tremaine, Cleveland (formerly of Listowel, Ontario, Canada), won Referee Matt Hinkel’s decision over Eddie (Cannonball) Martin, champion bantamweight pugilist, in a slashing 12-round bout here, last night. Martin’s world title was not at stake, however, as both men weighed in this afternoon at 121 ¼ pounds, three and one-quarter pounds over the Bantamweight limit.

February 25, 1925 – SIDETRACKING VIC FOLEY FROM TITULAR BOUT – ALLEN GOT THE "RUNAROUND" DOWN IN NEW YORK – EDDIE (CANNONBALL) MARTIN DODGING – Vic Foley, Canadian Bantamweight Champion can have a bout with Eddie Martin, the Bantamweight Champion of the World, but not for the title. Jack (Deacon) Allen of Vancouver, B.C., manager of Foley, who defends his title her on Monday night against Howard (Sailor) Mayberry, the ex- champion, returned this morning from a trip to New York and Boston and reports that the sturdy hard battling little ace is being given the "run-around" by the boxing moguls. "The powers that be around New York don’t want Eddie Martin licked just yet, so they are protecting him," said Allen today. "I asked for a championship bout between Martin and Foley, but they just gave me the laugh. They were willing to let Foley box Martin, but we would have to agree to send Foley in over the championship weight, so that Martin’s title would not be at stake. I would not do that. I want a championship bout for my boy. Boston promoters offered to put up a twenty thousand dollar purse for Foley and Martin if they would both agree to make championship weight. I was ready to sign up for Foley, but to sign up for Foley, but they could not get Martin’s manager to sign on the dotted line. I offered to meet Martin in New York for the title and said that I would send Foley in for nothing, but that did not get me action. Now I have offered Martin $20,000 if he will come either to Toronto or Vancouver and box my boy in a bout for the title. That surely is fair enough. It is more than they are getting for titular bouts in the bantam class right down in New York. I can’t do any more. They are anxious to see Foley down there, but they want me to show him against a tough Negro bantam name Chick Suggs. What a sap I would be to send him in against Suggs. If he gets licked he is gone and if he wins the champion will be dodging him more than ever. It is a championship bout or nothing for Foley when we step into New York. Meanwhile, I was going to keep him working here cleaning up every possible obstacle in his way to the claim of Bantamweight Champion of Canada. All I want is for the promoters to trot out the claimants for the title. Foley hold He will fight them all. Mayberry is the boy we have on hand now. Foley knocked him stiff once and he will do it again when they meet here this Monday night. I know that sounds like boasting, but I just have to say what I think.

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February 27, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star –OLYMPIC BOXER JUMPS TO PRO RANKS – Cliff Graham To Take Plunge on Monday’s Bantam Championship Card When Champion Vic Foley and Challenger Ex-Champion Howard Mayberry Face Off.

Graham is to face George Smith, of Toronto.

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March 2, 1925 – Toronto, Ontario – Vick Foley, Slocan & Vancouver, British Columbia, meets Howard (Sailor) Mayberry, Hamilton, Ontario, to decide the Canadian Bantamweight title. Foley wins on points over 10 rounds. Vic Foley is the new Bantamweight Champion of Canada.

March 20, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – JACK REDDICK IN A FINE PREDICAMENT – Wants To Fight, But Cannot Get a Match – Commission Combs The List – Jack Reddick, Canadian Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Champion …

March 20 1925 – Toronto – FOLEY WINS ROUSING BOUT FROM JOHNSTON – Bantam Champion Abandons Careful Tactics And Fights Toe To Toe – Out Battled His Foe – Johnston’s Battling Finish Featured Great Bout - 10 Rounds – Belanger Troy and Miller won.

April 13, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star –Eddie Williams, manager of Jackie Johnston was nabbed by Referee Marsh for sending his boy into the ring wearing black tape under his bandages. He held up the bout 15 minutes. The next one to offend will probably be assessed $25. The regulations only permit 18 inches of white surgeon’s tape on each hand. Williams cannot plead ignorance.

May 11, 1925 – Toronto – Arena Gardens – Gene Clay, the clever Negro featherweight who represented Canada at the Olympic Games has his first professional fight against Phil Rivers, Toronto, (4 rounds).

August 8, 1925 – Regina, Saskatchewan – Jackie Lewis challenges Vic Foley for his Canadian Bantamweight title. Foley wins on points over 15 rounds. Vic Foley is still Bantamweight Champion of Canada.

September 18, 1925 –Victoria, British Columbia – Billy Mascott challenges Vic Foley for his Canadian Bantamweight title. Foley wins by way of a 7^th round technical knockout. Vic Foley is still Bantamweight Champion of Canada.

October 3, 1925 – Toronto – Arena Gardens –Toronto Daily Star – FIFIELD IS STILL KING OF THE WELTERS Rugged Canadian Champion Wore Down His Challenger Last Night – George Fifield, Toronto, won a 10 – Round Decision Last Night Over Bert Schneider, Montreal – Schneider led in the early rounds, but Fifield collared him at the head of the stretch, wore him down in a grueling drive, and won going away.

December 12, 1925 – Toronto – Toronto Daily Star – BOBBY EBBER AGAIN BOSS OF THE BANTIES – Old Champion Becomes New Champion By Outpointing Vancouver Vic Foley – Challenger Wiped Out Early Lead and Won by Vigorous offensive on End. – Robert Tebbs is Bantamweight Champion Of Canada. Robert Tebbs is "Bobby Ebbers" real name. He lost his title to Howard Mayberry eighteen months ago and regained it last night, here, from Vic Foley of Vancouver, who took it from Mayberry at Vancouver a year ago. Ebber had to come from behind to beat the champion last night, but he did and won fairly and squarely, though the margin was narrow.

Referee Sinclair scores bout: Ebber ……..4554455555 – 47

Foley ……..5555544445 – 46

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December 15, 1925 Toronto Daily Star – Allen Fined $200, Morrissey $50 By Commission – The Ontario Athletic Commission at a meeting yesterday made final disposal of the trouble raised at the Coliseum, Friday night, when Manager Jack Allan, who handles Vic Foley, refused to let Foley enter the ring unless Lou Marsh would referee, but finally did so, and Foley lost the bout and the Bantam Championship to Bobby Ebber. Mr. Allan failed to appear before the commission yesterday as notified. He left for Portland Saturday night, "but left behind him a letter which the commission considered ‘impertinent’."

Mr. Allan was fined $200 and Foley will not be allowed to box Ebber for four months. Promoter Morrissey has been ordered to pay to Ebber his full purse, which includes the $500 held back as a deposit for a return match, at Vancouver, next month.

Mr. Morrissey, matchmaker of the St. Charles A. C., which promoted the fight here, was fined $50 for his share in promising Mr. Allan that Mr. Marsh would referee the bout, knowing that the only authority to appoint a referee lay with the commission.

December 15, 1925 – Toronto Daily Star – CARL TREMAINE READY TO MEET BOBBY EBBER – Champion To Be Asked To Defend His Title on January 4. – The Shamrock A. C. has plans out for a championship battle on Monday, January 4, between two Canadian boxers for the bantam weight title now held by Bobby Ebber. Carl Tremaine of Cleveland formerly of Listowel (Ontario) has accepted terms offered by the Shamrock Club to meet Ebber here on that date.

Now it is up to Ebber. Here is a chance for him to show in Toronto against one of the most popular boxers in the ring and a fellow Canadian at that. Ebber has always expressed his willingness to defend his title against all comers. Ebber is to meet with the Shamrock Club this evening to discuss the details of the match.

Johnny Brown, Champion of England, now in New York, is another candidate for Ebber’s crown. Either Tremaine or Brown would be worthy contenders.

December 11, 1925 – New York City, USA – World Light Heavyweight Champion Paul Berlenbach defends his title against Canadian Jack Delaney (Ovila Chapdelaine). Berlenbach wins over 15 rounds. Paul Berlenbach is still Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

December 22, 1925 – Toronto – Standard Theatre – Toronto Daily Star – FIFIELD RETAINS HIS WELTERWEIGHT CROWN – Champion Given the Decision Over Frankie Bull, Toronto, Despite Several Illegal Blows–10 Rounds

1926

April 20, 1926 – Toronto Daily Star – Lou E. Marsh, of the sporting staff of The Toronto Star, well known hockey and boxing referee, leaves to-morrow night for Winnipeg, where he has accepted an engagement to referee the light heavyweight bout there on Friday night between "Young Bob" Fitzsimmons of New York and Charlie Belanger of Winnipeg. Belanger won the Amateur Light Heavyweight Championship of the World at the last Olympiad and since then has been doing pretty well out in California. His latest feat was a victory over Ted Moore the clever English boxer. Belanger is a very heavy hitter, but in "Ruby Roberts’" son, he is facing a smart, shifty boxer, who has recently developed a punch. (Note! There is no record of Charlie Belanger winning gold at the 1924 Olympics. Perhaps there was a comparable world competition at that time, or the writer is just mistaken.)

This is Marsh’s second trip to the west to referee a fight. Last August he handled the Vic Foley-Jackie Lewis bout for the Canadian Bantam Title at Regina.

July 16, 1926 – Brooklyn, New York, USA – Jack Delaney (Ovila Chapdelaine) of St. Francis du Lac, Quebec, challenges Paul Berlenback for his World Light Heavyweight title. Delaney wins a unanimous decision over 15 rounds. Jack Delaney (Ovila Chapdelaine), St. Francis du Lac, Quebec, is the new Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

August 2, 1926 – Drumright, Oklahoma – Legendary Sam Langford "The Boston Tar Baby," originally from Weymouth Falls, Nova Scotia, retires from boxing after he was TKO’d in one round by Brad Simmons. He had almost 300 bouts. He retires at age 43. He is blind.

September 1, 1926 – Toronto Daily Star – Ontario Athletic Commission Boxing Licenses – Applications will be received to September 15, 1926 for the conducting of Professional Boxing Shows in Toronto from November 1, 1926 to October 31, 1927. Applications must be accompanied by marked cheque for Five Hundred Dollars ($500), License Fee and will be sent to Sec. J.P. Fitzgerald, Ontario Athletic Commission, 46 Richmond St. West, Toronto

September 1, 1926 –Toronto Daily Star – The Ontario Athletic commission is advertising the fact that they are ready to receive applications for year permits to conduct pro boxing bouts in Toronto. Last year there were a dozen, or more, applicants all pulling wires for the preference. Only three licenses were, however, granted. Only two went to the post, and only one is now showing any sign of activity. Secretary Fitzgerald is not likely to get writer’s cramp acknowledging applications for the 1927 privileges. A five-hundred-dollar license fee squelches the fly-by knights and permit peddlers.

September 4, 1926 –Toronto – JACKIE JOHNSTON IS THE NEW BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION OF CANADA. – Awarded the Title When Foley Fails to make The Class Weight – The Fight A Draw – Johnston’s Early lead Overcome by Coast Boy – Jackie Johnston of Toronto has at last realized one of his pet ambitions. He is native Bantamweight Champion Boxer of Canada.

Vic Foley of Vancouver, B.C and the Ontario Athletic committee presented him with the title last night without a fight for it. Because Bobby Ebber, the last man to win the bantie bangle in the ring tarried with the flesh pots and refused to toy with the padded knuckle dusters, the O. A.C.declared him out and the Canadian Boxing Federation followed suit. The O. A. C. promised the title to the winner of the match made for last night by Playfair Brown of the Shamrock A.C. between Foley and Johnston, the leading contenders – if they came in at the class weight. Brown signed the match at the weight. Johnston weighted in at 117 ¾ pounds at 2 o’clock yesterday while Foley scaled in at 130 ½ pounds. Foley was given the privilege of taking the surplus off before ring time. An hour later Jack Allen, his manager, informed the commission that Foley could not get down to the mark, so the commission ordered his weight forfeit of $200 be paid to Johnston and gave the Toronto lad the title. Jackie Johnston stepped into the ring last night and spotting the rugged westerner at least five pounds in actual weight, held him to a draw.

September 24, 1926 Toronto- Arena Gardens – Toronto Daily Star – LOCAL FIGHT CARD A SAD, SAD FLIVVER – It’s a good thing for Willie Morrissey, Matchmaker, president and most everything else of the St. Charles A. C. that he had the Dempsey – Tunney fight to broadcast to the crowd at the Arena last night. But for the canned account of the big fist fiasco down at Philly, the crowd would have about run William ragged along about 11 p.m. Morrissey’s live show flivvered sadly. Only one bout out of the three carded was worth hot dog money. That was the curtain raiser between Harry Stone of Toronto and Freddie Vincent of Hamilton.

The two "main" bouts between George Fifield of Toronto, the Canadian Welterweight Champion, and a welterweight who rejoiced in the distinguished moniker of Pedro Gomez, and that between Alex Burlie of Toronto, Canadian Flyweight Champion, and Harold Webber of Scranton, N.Y. were all smeared with limburger.

1927

February 21, 1927, Toronto, Standard Theater, Lightweight Title, for the "Bickle Belt," emblematic of the Professional Lightweight Boxing Championship of Canada.

Chris "Old Warrior" Newton, Toronto Vs Cliff "The Blonde Bomber" Graham, Toronto.

Chris "Old Warrior" Newton wins by KO in 9^th round. Graham is cut over both eyes. Left to the body takes him out. Newton’s 73-year-old father was at ringside to witness his son receive the "Bickle Belt." Lightweight contender Tommy Mitchell is also at ringside. Chris Newton is the new Lightweight Champion of Canada.

February 28, 1927, Toronto, Coliseum – Heavyweight Title (Vacant) Larry Gains, Toronto Vs "Soldier" Jones, Gaspe, Quebec, living in Toronto. Larry Gains wins by 5^th round TKO. Larry Gains is the new Heavyweight Champion of Canada

April 18, 1927 Canadian Flyweight Champion, Alex Burlie (Toronto) announces from ring his retirement from boxing after a tough defeat by world flyweight contender "Newsboy" Brown (Sioux City, Iowa) at Toronto. Reporter Lou Marsh said Burlie won the first five rounds and fought the best fight of his career. Alex Burlie is no longer Flyweight Champion of Canada.

April 19, 1927 Thomas Murphy M.P.P (Beaches, Toronto) Elected President of Canadian Boxing Association.

Montreal Star – The Canadian Boxing Federation at a meeting here decided to affiliate with the National Boxing Association – N.B.A. which includes the majority of commissions. Murphy is Chairman of the Ontario Athletic Commission.

CANADIAN BOXING FEDERATION EXECUTIVE 1927

Chairman Thos. Murphy, Toronto

V.P. Louis Rubenstein, Montreal

V.P. J. Morkin, Winnipeg

V.P. Pierre Gagne, Quebec

Secretary James P. Fitzgerald, Toronto

Honorary Vice President, E.W. Ferguson

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April 20, 1927, Montreal Forum, Canadian Lightweight Title

Lightweight Champion Chris "Old Warrior" Newton Vs Canadian Featherweight Champion Leo "Kid" Roy. Leo "Kid" Roy wins 12-round decision. New Canadian Lightweight Champion. Leo "Kid" Roy sagged Newton with rights twice and knocked Newton down in the final round.

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April 21, 1927 RECOGNIZED TITLE HOLDERS BY THE CANADIAN BOXING FEDERATION

Flyweight Vacant

Bantamweight Jackie Johnston, Toronto

Featherweight Leo "Kid" Roy, Montreal

Lightweight Leo "Kid" Roy, Montreal

Welterweight George Fifield, Toronto

Middleweight Vacant

Light Heavyweight Vacant

Heavyweight Larry Gains, Toronto

Note! Clovis Durand, Quebec and Alex Burlie, Ontario, selected best of flys and ordered to fight off for honours.

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April 21, 1927 – Montreal Star, Canadian Fight Federation Re- organizes

Boxing officials representing Ontario, Montreal and Quebec City brought the Canadian Boxing Federation back to life at a meeting here, yesterday. The Federation is an alliance of all boxing commissions in Canada

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April 29, 1927- Toronto Daily Star – Doug "Dug" Lewis, Toronto, is the official challenger for George Fifield’s Canadian welterweight crown.

1927 Canadian Lightweight Contender Elimination Tournament

May 12, 1927 – Montreal – Montreal Star –Ted Cossette of Montreal and "Red" Mac Donald of Halifax fought 10 rounds, to a draw, in the feature bout of the lightweight elimination tournament held here last night to decide an opponent for Leo "Kid" Roy, the title holder. Three other 10 Rd bouts were held and last night’s winners will meet later in the month in the second stage.

Syd Conn of Toronto was awarded the decision over Kid Mitchell of Quebec.

George Chabot of Montreal knocked out Young Tunney of Ottawa in the third round.

Fred Tilston of England, now of Winnipeg, won a decision over Cliff Graham of Toronto."

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May 19, 1927 – Toronto boxers won and lost last night, here. Syd Conn, Toronto Lightweight was defeated by George Chabot of Montreal in the lightweight elimination tourney while Albert "Frenchy" Belanger, the flyweight, won from Harry Goldstein of Boston.

Chabot who defeated Conn now meets Fred Tilston of Winnipeg, English lightweight, now resident of Canada, for the honor of meeting Leo "Kid" Roy of Montreal in a battle for the Lightweight Championship of Canada.

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May 28, 1927- Vancouver, British Columbia – Vic Foley meets Tod Morgan to decide the World Junior Lightweight title. Morgan wins on points over 12 rounds. Tod Morgan is Jr. Lightweight Champion of the World.

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The following announcement becomes the catalyst that will propel flyweights from around the world toward title contention. Included in that group is Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, the "Cabbagetown Kid" from Toronto.

"August 25, 1927 – Los Angeles, California – World Flyweight Champion Fidel La Barba announces his retirement from boxing to attend University."

September 14, 1927 – Cape Breton Post – North Sydney champ gets revenge

It took Jack McKenna, Canada’s Middleweight Champion just thirty seconds of the 4^th round to rock his opponent with a snappy right to the jaw of John Alex McIntyre, former Glace Bay welterweight. Up to the final round of the bout there had been no doubt in the minds of the spectators as to the ultimate outcome. The North Sydney boy was too big, strong and hard punching for the former Glace Bay lad, taking a liberal dose of punishment. McIntyre’s backers and handlers would have showed good judgment had they tossed in the towel in the third round as McKenna had him practically at his mercy and showered him with punches from every angle. The Glace Bay boy however preferred to go out in ring glory and as a result went under from McKenna’s crashing and famous right hand punch. Just as the gong rang at the end of the second round McIntyre was knocked to his knees and in the third and start of the fourth was dropped for the count of two by the Bar Town lad.

September 27, 1927, Toronto Daily Star –"FIFIELD MUST DEFEND HIS TITLE OR QUIT"

Boxing Federation Orders Him to Meet ‘Dug’ Lewis Here October 12.

Georgie Fifield, the Canadian Welterweight Champion, has got to jump or get off the mark. Yesterday, T.W. Murphy of Toronto, Chairman of the Canadian Boxing Federation which awarded Fifield the custody of the Canadian "closed" title, forwarded Fifield an order to be ready to defend his title against "Dug" Lewis of Toronto at Toronto, October 12 or the Federation would declare his title forfeited. Enclosed with the letter was a contract for Fifield from the Shamrock Club of Toronto for the titular bout, which Mr. Murphy declared to be a fair and just one.

That simply means that Fifield must defend his title here October 12 against Lewis or get ready to tack "ex" before his championship. The Shamrock Club has been after Fifield all summer to meet Lewis for his title, but Fifield always "had another bout" or "wasn’t ready." Lewis has been keen to meet Fifield for the title for sometime and has asked - in the event of Fifield refusing to fight for his title – that the Shamrock Club get Pete August of New York, who knocked Fifield out in five rounds in Montreal last spring, to meet him on the date set. "I would like the chance to prove to the fans, that I am the real champion," said Lewis, when informed that if Fifield did not meet him, the title would automatically pass to him.

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October 28, 1927 – Toronto – Flyweight Albert (Frenchy) Belanger wins a 10-Round Decision over World contender (Newsboy) Brown in what is described as the best fight, in Toronto, in 10 years. Belanger decks Brown twice in the 4^th round.

November 28, 1927 – Toronto – Flyweight Albert Belanger meets Frankie Genaro of New York, in an NBA sanctioned elimination tournament for the World Flyweight Title. The winner will meet Ernie Jarvis of London, England. First out of the gate is the New York commission, which is having their own elimination tournament, as we speak, for the New York version of the title. California is also having an elimination tournament for the California version of the title. (Frenchy) Belanger wins the decision over a dull 10 rounds, with Genaro holding throughout, in his attempt to avoid Belanger’s dangerous left-hook. Belanger wins over judges on his aggression.

December 19, 1927 – Toronto – Coliseum – Albert (Frenchy) Belanger wins World Flyweight Title in front of 10, 000 screaming fans. He knocks Ernie Jarvis, of England, down twice in the fourth round. Jarvis knocks Belanger down in the 11^th Round. Belanger comes back to win solid in the 12^th – the final round. Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, of Toronto, "The Cabbagetown Kid," is the new World Flyweight Boxing Champion.

1928

--------------1928 Amsterdam, Holland –Summer Olympics –

Raymond Smillie wins a Bronze Medal for Canada in the Welterweight Division (147 lbs.- 67kg.)

February 6, 1928 – Toronto – Frankie Genaro, New York, wins 10-round decision over Albert (Frenchy) Belanger to win the World Flyweight Title. Fight was close, but speed of Genaro wins out. Frankie Genaro is new World Flyweight Champion.

April 5, 1928 – Toronto Daily Star- Leo (Kid) Roy of Montreal To Defend His Featherweight Title against Jackie Johnston, Friday, April 13. Roy is Featherweight and Lightweight Champion, Johnston is Canadian Bantamweight Champion. Johnston took the Bantamweight crown from Vic Foley of Vancouver. This show will take place at the Mutual Street Arena, Toronto.

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April 11, 1928 – Toronto Daily Star – Johnston won the Canadian Bantamweight Title from Foley when Foley failed to make the weight – He spotted the Vancouver boxer several pounds and drew with him. That was in Toronto. In Vancouver, he repeated the performance and then defeated Bobby Ebber, former title holder.

April 14, 1928, Toronto –Mutual Street Arena, Featherweight Title – Champion Leo (Kid) Roy, Montreal, defends against Jackie Johnston Toronto. Kid Roy’s dynamite stopped Johnston in the 2^nd round. Right to shoulder and left to chin sent Johnston through the ropes. Johnston has had only 10 losses in 130 bouts. Leo (Kid) Roy is still Featherweight Champion of Canada.

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April 18, 1928 –Toronto Daily Star–Clovis Durand, Montreal and Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, Toronto, to meet for Vacant Canadian Flyweight Title at Toronto–10 Rds, April 27.

April 27, 1928, Toronto, Arena Gardens, Canadian Flyweight Title (Vacant) Belanger, Toronto, VS Clovis Durand, Montreal. Toronto Daily Star- Belanger Gives Clovis Durand A Boxing Lesson. Wins 7 Rds to 3. Crowd 6,200 paid more that $11,000 to see the bout. Albert (Frenchy) Belanger is new Flyweight Champion of Canada.

May 9, 1928 – Montreal – Leo (Kid Roy), Montreal, meets Vic Foley, Vancouver, to decide the Canadian Featherweight title. Roy wins on a disqualification in the 6^th round. Leo (Kid) Roy is Featherweight Champion of Canada.

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June 5, 1928, Toronto, Coliseum, Canadian Flyweight Title – Champion Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, Toronto, defends against Steve Rocco, Toronto. –Toronto Daily Star – "Steve Rocco Given Award Over Champion Belanger Margin In Favour of New Champion Very Small. Rocco was paid $2,400; Frenchy "$3,200. Steve Rocco is new Canadian Flyweight Champion.

June 6, 1928 – Toronto – Tommy "Red" Bragan, Toronto, got a ten dollar lesson on punctuality, yesterday. He was twenty minutes late getting to the scales and was fined $10 by Jim Fitzgerald, the secretary of the Ontario Athletic Commission. Bragan then went on to defeat Johhny Carey, Erie, Pennsylvania, on points, over six rounds, on the undercard of the Steve Rocco Vs "Frenchy" Belanger Championship card.

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July 18, 1928 – Montreal - Leo (Kid Roy) defends his Canadian Featherweight title against Vic Foley, Vancouver. Bout ends in a draw. Leo (Kid) Roy is still Featherweight Champion of Canada.

October 22, 1928, Montreal - Canadian Welterweight Champion George Fifield, Toronto, defends against George Sidders, Montreal. George Sidders wins on 7^th round disqualification. George Sidders Is The New Welterweight Champion Of Canada.

Toronto Daily Star- "George Sidders is the Welterweight Champion, but he would have been the knocked-out challenger if Mr. Fifield hadn’t got over anxious and chopped over the forbidden rabbit punch right in Montreal, Sidders’ home town, where they were quick to disqualify Mr. Fifield for the bout."

1929

January 4, 1929, Toronto, Coliseum – Canadian Flyweight Title – Champion Steve Rocco, Toronto defends against Albert "Frenchy" Belanger, Toronto. Toronto Daily Star – "Relentless Body Punching Wins Belanger Title. Challenger Hurls Rocco From His Throne In Terrific Battle. A Real Punchfest. Titular Battle Crowning Feature of A Card That Will Go Down In History. Belanger had a margin in 6 rounds, Rocco had 2, rest were even.

"Frenchy" Belanger is Canadian Flyweight Champion Again.

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January 25, 1929, Toronto, Coliseum, Canadian Heavyweight Champion Larry Gains, Toronto, defends against Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion Charlie Belanger, Winnipeg. – "Larry Gains Wins In a Keen Battle." Larry Gains is still Canadian Heavyweight Champion of Canada.

March 12, 1929 – Toronto – Coliseum - (Frenchy) Belanger challenges Champion (Corporal) Izzy Schwartz (New York Version of World Title). Very close fight over 10 rounds, but Champion retains title. (Cpl.) Izzy Schwartz is still World Champion (New York Version)

March 22, 1929 – Toronto – BRAGAN AGAIN DEFEATS FIFIELD IN TERRIFIC SLUG FEST – Sorrel Top Outpunches Game Ex – Canadian Welterweight Champion --- Lou Marsh’s account in the Toronto Star, March 23^rd, reads: "The first round was a wild-eyed melee which sent both of the boys to their corners bleeding and wobbly.

In the second round, Bragan clipped the butcher’s squatty son down with a shrewd puck that would have tilted a stone statue, but he bobbed up like a jumping Jack and tore back into the fray with both mitts swingin.

In the the lathy pink-trimmed battler gave Fifield a terrific shellacking and it looked as if he would hand him the twilight sleep in another round.

But Fifield as game a lad as ever punched noses for a living came out of the corner like a raging panther, hurled Bragan back almost into his handlers laps with a line plunge that would have done credit to Jackie Baker of Hamilton Tigers. He draped him over the ropes and punched and pounded him for thiry seconds without a reply.

Bragan was apparently in a trance. He stared at Fifield with those pale blue eyes – and stopped ia score of punches with his eye brows and his ears.

Suddenly he erupted like a human vesuvius.

He hurled Fifield away from him and following him drove him back bodily with a shower of straight drives that left Fifield rocking crazily on his heels.

And so it went for the next two rounds with Bragan jabbing, hooking and stabbing Fifield to the face and body with a series of clean-cut rights and lefts, while Fifield led with his chin eager to take a couple to land one to the body.

Fifield sunk his fists almost to his wrists in Bragan’s body, but only once did he really hurt the sorrel-top. That one, a lunging right, caught Bragan over the heart and he just about folded up. He dropped to his knees.

But when Fifield rushed to complete the job, he ran into a right square in the mush that sent him reeling across the ring.

In the seventh Bragan caught Fifield in the side with a swing that almost cut him into twins.

No one but a superlatively game man would have stood up after that one. But Fifield not only stood up, but he came out in the final round and fought Bragan until he could not raise an arm.

He gave everything he had in the effort to put Bragan away, but he finished second, a badly battered and well beaten man. But even in defeat he won the admiration of a lot of the fans who came there praying that Bragan would annihilate him.

This Toronto of ours certainly loves and honors a game man.

And even though Bragan beat Fifield at the Standard Theatre, and trounced him again last night those two boys could be set right back in again and pack the house.

It was the greatest slugfest Toronto has seen since the St. Patrick’s Day riots of a half a century ago."

Editor’s note: This account of a great battle of Canadian welterweights still carries, we think, every morsel of excitement of what readers must have felt 70 years ago. How sweet it was and still is.

March 29, 1929 – Toronto – Toronto Daily Star – LOST HIS MEDAL – George Fifield, the well known welterweight boxer has lost the Gold Medal he won at Boston in 1922 when he was crowned national amateur champion of the United States. Fifield values that medal more than any of his string of amateur prizes. The finder is asked to notify the editor of this column.

April 17, 1929, Montreal Forum, Champion Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, Toronto, defends his Canadian Flyweight title against Harry Hill (formerly of England), Montreal. Montreal Star – Harry Hill, Originally of England Defeats (Frenchy) Belanger, In Main Event At Forum. Harry Hill is new is the new Flyweight Champion of Canada.

May 13, 1929, Toronto, Coliseum, Canadian Flyweight Champion Harry Hill, Montreal, defends against Albert (Frenchy) Belanger, Toronto. Toronto Daily Star – Little Dempsey Regains His Title On A Knockout. Nine Knockdowns Before Hill’s Manager Signaled Defeat – A Thrilling Battle. Hill’s Courage And Belanger’s Heavy Punching Outstanding Features. Hill was down every round.

but the fourth. Frenchy Belanger is Canadian Flyweight Boxing Champion, again.

July 29, 1929 – Toronto - Jackie Phillips, Toronto, meets Tom (Red) Bragan, Toronto, to decide the vacant Canadian welterweight title. Phillips wins on points over 10 rounds. Jackie Phillips is the new Welterweight Champion of Canada.

December 13, 1929 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Al Forman (Bert Harris, formerly of London, England) meets Billy Townsend of Vancouver, British Columbia, to decide the Canadian Lightweight title. Billy Townsend wins on points over 12 rounds. Billy Townsend is the Lightweight Champion of Canada.

1930

The Hungry 30s – The Great Depression

FIGHTERS OF THE DECADE

Albert ("Frenchy" "The Canadian Wolverine" "L’il Dempsey" "Kid Dynamite") Belanger -Jack McKenna – Billy (Indian) Lee- Lou Brouillard – Larry Gains - Katsumi Morioka – Johnny Morris - Harry Gerson – Isaac Jack (T-Bone) Thibault -Rene Loubier –Tommy Bland - Georgie Pace – Al Foreman - Al Ford - Mickey Dodge – Harry Miller – Harry Marshall – Stan Glover – Alan Foston – Tim Keist – Battling Henaire – Sonny Jones – Ron Headly – Art Humphries – Albert (Al) Gallagher – Bud Davies – Howard (Duluth) (Sailor) Mayberry – Percy Bussa - Bobby (Bad News) Eber – Charlie White – Benny Gould – Georgie Bolduc – Leo (Kid) Roy – Red(Halifax Lightweight)MacDonald – Ted Cossette - Chester Orr – Vic Pollock - Nick Serada – Ronnie Beaudin - Al Lust -Bobby Luscombe – Johnny Loftus - Sammy Luftspring – Frankie Genovese – Gordon(Vancouver) Wallace – Maxie Berger – Baby Yack – Eddie Wenstob – Len Wadsworth – Johnny Gaudes - Horace (Lefty) Gwynne – Jackie Phillips – Billy Townsend – Joe Villeneuve – Jackie Johnston – Charlie Belanger - Larry Gains - George Sidders – Bobby Leitham – Frankie Martin – Dave Castilloux – Orville Drouillard – (Amateurs Ron Wallace, George Pignoli, & J. Saville) – Ken Robinson - Yorkie Bentley - Doug Marsh – Ray McIntyre – Frankie(Fireball) Battaglia – Roy Mitchell – Terrance ("Tiger") Warrington – (Big) Bill Sparks – Harris Barton – Norman Mitchell – Bob Talbot – Ozzie Meikle – Snowball Barry (William Daye) – Sam ("Boston Tar Baby")Langford –Billy Marquart (Marquardt) – Packy Paul – Al McCoy(Florian LeBrasseur) – Joe Marsh – Eddie Carrol – Greggie Greggerson – Eddie Heathfield – Jackie Callura – Angelo Callura – Johnny (Spider) Armstrong – Tommy Bland – Johnny Blochlinger – Irving Pease – Maxie Kadin – Lou Brouillard – Jerry (Doiron Sr.)Gould – Kayo Phillips – Joe Meunier- Al Foreman (Bert Harris) - Tommy ("Red") Bragan – Pee Wee Gale (David John Galinet) – Bobby Allan – Bobby Clary – Mel Glionna – Davie Paul – Al (Borchuck)(Oshawa)Delaney – Ray McIntyre – Cecil Braithwaite – Heywood "The Fighting Shadow" Storey – Kid Formosa – Bobby Leitham – Frank Bricker

February 7, 1930 - Canadian Welterweight Title Champion Jackie Phillips, Toronto defends against Jack Purvis. Phillips wins by decision – still Champion. Canadian Bantamweight Title, Champion Jackie Johnston, Toronto defended against Joe Villeneuve, Montreal. Joe Villeneuve Is New Canadian Bantamweight Champion – By Narrow Margin.

April 29, 1930 – Toronto - A meeting of the Canadian Boxing Federation will be held in Montreal to consider the affiliation of that body with the British Control Board. It will also decide how referees are appointed for Canadian Championship matches. T.J. Murphy, chairman of the Ontario Athletic Commission and chairman of the Canadian Boxing Federation and J. P. Fitzgerald secretary of the Ontario Athletic Commission will attend the meeting.

April 30, 1930, Free Press, Winnipeg – Canadian Boxing Federation May Join British Board. –

Toronto, May 13, 1930 Toronto Daily Star – Sporting Views & Reviews, by W.A. Hewitt, Sporting Editor of the Star – The bouts last night at the Coliseum were decided by a board of three judges, instead of two judges and the referee as before. The referee had nothing to do with the decisions. This is in accordance with the rule recently passed by the Canadian Boxing Federation. Personally, we think the referee should have a voice in the decision as he can see better, than any man outside the ring. This is our opinion formed on experience gained in officiating as referee and judge in hundreds of bouts in Canadian rings.

June 10, 1930 – Toronto – Coliseum – Albert "Frenchy" Belanger challenges Frankie Genaro for the World Flyweight Title (NBA). Another close fight – 10 rounds. Genaro wins by decision. Frankie Genaro is still World Flyweight Boxing Champion.

July 2, 1930 – Toronto – Toronto Star - Lou E. Marsh’s story: TORONTO SPORTSMEN SCORN FOUL PUNCH LEGISLATION – Means Reversion to Brass Knuckle Days, Says Tom Murphy, M.P.P. – New York State Ruling – News that the New York Athletic Commission, a smug self-sufficient body appointed by the government of the state, which has been going its way independent of almost every other governing body of the sport in the world for these many years, has introduced amendments which practically legalizes low punching and other fouls in boxing, created a laugh among the boxing authorities of this town.

"Why use gloves at all?" was the first comment of Thomas Murphy, M.P.P., chairman of the Ontario Athletic Commission which governs pro boxing and other professional sports in Ontario. "Why not give them brass knuckles and let them go? To legalize foul hitting strikes right at the roots of sportsmanship –just makes a professional boxing a rough and tumble scrap. It will not go here.

"No British country or colony or group of sportsmen with British ideals of sport would ever stand for the legalizing of foul punches. It is simply not to be considered. I cannot conceive of either the Ontario Athletic Commission or the Dominion Boxing Federation ever adopting any such rule no matter what the New York commission, with which we have a working agreement, does. I am certainly opposed to it.

"It is the most nonsensical thing I ever heard of in boxing," declared Elwood A. Hughes, sports director of the Canadian Natinal Exhibition and one of the regular judges of boxing bouts in this town. It simply lowers professional boxing to the level of an alley fight. A man might go in with a steel plate which would protect his abdomen but it would not be possible for him to properly protect foul territory from illegal blows and still move about with the freedom a boxer requires. Why not equip boxers with steel hoop skirts or require them to fight out of over-sized gasoline drums? It’s just terrible!

"Simply ridiculous." was the opening comment of Playfair Brown Shamrock A.C. matchmaker. "It’s a joke. The remedy for foul punching is simply the strict enforcement of the rules by the referees and the support of those referees by the governing body. Toss foul fighters out forever and that will settle it."

"There is no reason why foul fighting cannot be curbed without altering the rules. Throw the low and foul punchers out – and toss boxers who try to advance false claims of foul out along with them. We have little trouble here with our own boxers. Most of the foul fighters come from over the border or are our own fighters who have gone over there for experience.

"I cannot recall any referee calling a deliberate foul on our local boxers for some years. Of course bouts between Canadian boxers have been ended on foul decisions but the fouls were in almost every instance accidental or the result of wild and not deliberate punches."

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June 14, 1930, Montreal, Quebec - Montreal Eager To See Vancouver Boxer In Action. Billy Townsend of Vancouver – the present Canadian Lightweight Champion ….

September 11, 1930 – Sydney, Nova Scotia – Cape Breton Post –"Former Glace Bay man recognized as boxing authority Boston, Mass., Johnny Morris, formerly of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, who is now boxing instructor at Boston University and the Boston Athletic Association, has been placed on the approved list of boxing and hockey referees of Massachusetts.

In the Great War, Morris was welterweight champion of the A.E.F., and is recognized as one of New England’s leading authorities on boxing."

1931
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