Art Hafey - Boxer

The Art Hafey story: by Brian Zelley

Introduction:
Art Hafey was one of 
Canada's great boxers
who  is one of the 
select 100 to be
recognized on the
"Wall of Fame"

Art is in a number of
halls of fame such as
the California State
Boxing Hall of Fame.

Art Hafey - Boxer The Art Hafey boxing rcord



The boxing record of Art Hafey outlines the final results
of the many professional fights, but it does not measure
the qualities that made Art Hafey a people's champion
and is one of the popular boxing heroes of Canada.

Armand Savoie - Boxer

THE ARMAND SAVOIE story: by Brian Zelley

Armand Savoie - Boxer - boxing record of Armand Savoie

Frenchy Belanger - Boxer

ALBERT "Frenchy" BELANGER: by Brian Zelley
Frenchy Belanger - Boxer

Random boxing photos

Al Ford - Boxer

THE AL FORD BOXING STORY: by Brian Zelley
Al Ford - Boxer the boxing record of Al Ford

Brief Narrative of Al Ford plus record:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ford

Introduction of Al Ford story:
*  in recent times many folks have
been asking about Al Ford, the former 

amateur and professional boxer who 
was at one time a top ranked pro boxer
in the lightweight division.  But, he 
remains an elusive subject for an in-depth
story.  However, from time to time, he can
be seen in the corner for his son who is an
MMA fighter out of Edmonton, Alberta.

The Journey:
From his pro debut in 1967 with a win over Joe Hogue until
his Canadian lightweight title defense over Leo Noel Moncton,
Al Ford would remained undefeated until his challenge for the
British Empire/Commonwealth title challenge with the slick
Percy Hayles.  But, that Hales battle went the distance of 
12 rounds and ended up with a split decision.

After the Hayles bout, Ford would rack up another four
wins, but his next bout would be a loss to Ken Buchanan
in London, England.  After that bout, Al's road to glory
would have it's share of bumps in the road with a few
losses of important bouts to the likes of:
Percy Hayles, Nick Furlano, Ray Mancini, Johnny Summerhayes
and Michael Olajide jr.  But, AL FORD would still be a role model
and an influence over many a would be boxer such as Edmonton's
Scotty Olson and the rest is history.  

Al Sparks: Canadian Boxing Champion

AL SINCLAIR SPARKS (1933 - 2008)
                         

Al Sparks - Boxer  
Ring record of Al Sparks (1956 to 1977) 

The professional boxing journey of Al Sparks began in 1956 accordin to the records
\as documented in the "Winnipeg Free Pres" ,  The bout was a prelim fight to the card
headlined by the Wilfie Greaves - Allan Kennedy bout.  The final bout was expected
to be in 1973, but in 1977, Sparks made a special one bout comeback with a bout
 against George Jerome.  Others on that 1977 show in Winnipeg were
Al Ford, Clyde Gray, Ralph Racine and Wayne Caplette and others.

1958: THE BIG TEST - Ten Round Main Event with AL ANDREWS
For Al Spark the bout against Andrew would be a test to see if he could
go the distance with an experienced boxer who had faced many top names
 in the sport.   Andrews had defeated the likes of chuck Davey and Gil Turner
and had gone the distance with Joey Giardello, Willie Pastrano and Gene Fullmer.
Al Sparks would pass the test, go the distance and win the decision.

The Sixties:
In 1960, Sparks would fight in the Gardens in Vancouver in the main event
against a big name in boxing being Bobo Olson, in the 
semi main Jimmy Walters would score a first round KO.

Western Canadian and Canadian Champion
During the sixties, Sparks would win and defend the western Canadian 
heavyweight title and in 1968, Sparks would win the Canadian 
light-heavyweight title in Regina with a 12 round victory over Leslie Borden

As the Canadian light-heavyweight champion, Al would defend his title
then lose it to Rene Durell and regain it.  Then would come a shot at 
the Commonwealth title with Bob Dunlop in Australia that went the 
distance with Dunlop getting the decision.

Then came that tragic moment in the February 21, 1972 bout
at the Winnipeg arena with Stewart Gray.  He would never be
the same, he would then drop the title to Gary Summerhayes and have
one more  fight then retire until that one win comeback in '77.

Following his retirement as a boxer, Al would continue to be
involved with the sport as a trainer to help others improve.

Manitobe Sports Hall of Fame:

* It would take 19years
after retiring as a boxer
but this former amateur
and professional boxer
would be inducted into
the Manitoba Sports
Hall of Fame in 1996

Some of the words
about Sparks in the
Hall are:





"A dedicated athlete,
Al Sparks trained hard and fought with integrity
simple because he loved and respected 
the sport of boxing."

Golden Memories and Moments:

One of my memories of Al Sparks took place
during the 1968/69 boxing season at the 
Vancouver Firefighters when Al  dropped in to
train.  A friend of mine named Dan Wright
a novice heavyweight boxer  had recently
joined the club.  I would ask Al Sparks if he would
spar with the "newbie" and Al had no hesitation.
So I told coach Bert Lowes while Dan was racing to
get some gloves.  Then all of sudden, Bert shouted
out to Dan and said: "Those gloves belong to Mr. Sparks".
It seems in the thrill of being told Al Sparks wanted to
spar with him, Dan ,who would later be called "Dynamite",
 rushed over to grab the newest nicest pair of gloves
but would end up using a regular pair of old training gloves
following the Lowes' caution before he got in the ring.
Of course, the champion Al Sparks went easy on the 
eager young Dan Wright, but it is a memory that will
last a lifetime. 

Canadian boxers and builders

A Preliminary List of The Best: 40 Names:

It is not easy trying to pick ten but picking 100 
is a challenge, but some names of interest:

Al Sparks, Alan Ford, Albert Belanger, Armand Savoie,
Art Hafey, Arthur King Arturo Gatti, Asif Dar,  Billy Irwin, 
Billy McGrandle, Billy Townsend, Bob Cleroux, Bob Edgett, 
Clyde Gray, Donny Lalonde, George Chuvalo, George Dixon, 
George Godfrey,

Ian Clyde, Jack Delaney, Jackie Callura, Jerry Shears,
Jimmy McLarnin, Johnny Coulon, Johnny Greco,
Larry Gains,Lennox Lewis. Lou Brouillard, Michael Strange,

Nicky Furlano, Paul Hortie, Pop Foster, Sam Langford,    
Sammy Luftspring,  Scotty Olson, Tommy Burns,
Trevor Berbick, Troy Ross, Wilf Greaves and 
Yvon Durelle.

The Process:
* Starting with Al Sparks and moving to Yvon Durelle, then
deciding on some more of the 60 and working one by one.
Each boxer or builder will have their own page, and where
possible the memories or quotes of others will be used 
as considered necessary to improve the quality of the story.

                               CLYDE GRAY                        WILF GREAVES