WOMEN IN BOXING

WOMEN IN BOXING: 2012 Nominees for
BRITISH COLUMBIA AMATEUR BOXING
HALL of FAME:  By Brian Zelley, administrator


*What began in 2010 has expanded in 2010 to include a category
for women in boxing.  For 2012, the first ever women nominees
are builder MARGARET O'REILLY and
the boxer MANDY LAPOINTE.


Although the selection process is taking place in June 2012
it is expected that both Marg and Mandy will be the first
two women in boxers to be recognized as inductees.
Marg's husband, the late Pat O'Reilly was the founder
of the Hasting's Community Centtre boxing club which
operated for a few decades in Vancouver.  Mandy LaPointe
is a former amateur boxer and current professional boxer
from Prince George.


Following the completion of the process that is expected
to be complete on or before July 1, 2012 the appropriate
announcement will be made.


The importance of this will coincide with another historical
moment for Women in Boxing when women boxers will
compete in the 2012 London summer olympic games.
The Canadian boxer MARY SPENCER is the lone
woman boxer to compete in London and one of her
toughest competitors will be the English boxer but
the USA boxer Clarissa Shields with a victory over Mary will also
be a medal threat. In the other weight divisions, one of the
expected medal winners is Ireland's Katie Taylor.


Women in Boxing in British Columbia
In decades past, many women involved with boxing were often in 
various volunteer roles such as the women's auxiliary or helping
out at boxing shows.  Over time some would serve as a board 
member for Boxing BC such as Marg O'Reilly, Shirley Knopp
Jean Bayne and many others.  And, in the Nineties there would be
women's boxing in amateur bouts.


Some of the names of women involved in the auxiliary were
Jean Bayne, Nadine Bayne, Audrey Wilson, Stella Fuller,
Carole Brown and ida Smith.