The OBA has done extremely well without any revenue from the government.  We owe nothing & are self supporting. Every member should be proud that we are not a burden but a proud organization that can exist within itself & without causing more debt for the government.

OLYMPIC DREAMERS

The OBA is not filled with dreamers & fools. We look at the last Olympics where Canada sent one qualifying boxer from the entire country & that fella was about 30 years old. He lost his first bout by being out-pointed & didn't Canada know the dress code? I guess the world thinks that is the best Canada can do. Well that might be their best but it isn't OBA's best. The fella who lost so quickly has now been in better training & seems now focused in the Pro world.

The money that the government paid to send one boxer & too many others adults is an insult to the tax payers that forked out the money. If there wasn't so much 'politics' (dirty word for not playing fair) in boxing, the results could be much better. Too many favors & too many unfair decisions & that starts with every boxing event & filters through the pre-planned draws in favor of who? Thus the saying 'luck of the draw' or who is arranging it.

Let's look at prior years.

1984 Canada sent 10 boxers & 3 won medals of which Ontario's Shawn O'Sullivan won the Silver Medal.
1988 Canada sent 10 boxers & 3 won medals - Ontario's Egerton Marcus won the Silver & Ontario's Lennox Lewis won the Gold.
1992 Canada sent 10 boxers & 2 won medals, Ontario's Mark Leduc won the Silver & Ontario's Chris Johnson won the Bronze.
1996 Canada sent 11 boxers and 1 boxer not from Ontario won a medal.
2000 Canada did not attend although they had only 4 qualified to go to the Olympics.
2002 Canada sent 7 boxers & none won any medals.

It seems Ontario went down hill from then. What changed? The administration - yes! The coaches - most, yes. The draws for competitions - yes! The draw in Ontario became a secretive isolated event...contrary to the Canadian rule book of the time. The rule book stated that the 'draw' must be done in public & in a manner that allows all boxers equal chance to box any other competitor in their division. The OBA allows a public draw & follows the draw rules.
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The 1980 Olympic boycott had 4 Canadian boxers qualified for the Olympics & they were Ontario's Steve Nolan, Ontario's Ian Clyde, Ontario's Pat Fennell & Rick Anderson from ? Others claiming to have been on that list should recheck the printed Boxing Canada listing because they are NOT there.

From 1924 to 2000 (which is a total of 76 years), Canada sent 123 boxers to the Olympics. During that time, boxers like Ontario's Troy Ross went twice as did, Ontario's Domenic Filane, Ontario's John Walter Henry 1964 & 1968 & Ontario's Lennox Lewis & Ontario's 3 time Olympian Mike Strange.

What are the chances for a good boxer to be one of the 123 in 76 years. Slim - you need to be an excellent technically skilled boxer with great defense. You need to have good foot work, strength, endurance, stamina, dedication, will & above all else, you need competent coaches that are willing to give up much of their life to develop you & then you need to be loyal. That is a lot to have in one person & Ontario is proud of those that made the grade. You need to have international exposure & the support of your provincial organization to help promote you. In the past that was the downfall for an up-coming boxer but hopefully, with the new administration it will change.

Now, some of the current boxers should review all of the requirements other than wanting the glitter. All that glitters is not gold.

So, what is the average boxers chance of going to the Olympics? "Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.. Mohammed Ali'

I'll take Ali's quote one step further. To achieve status, the boxer must excel in all the boxing strength - have great reflexes, a good chin, be able to maneuver, have a good defense & a great offense & a one mind path with tunnel vision & dedication with the support of your family in order to finance your training. Then with luck...maybe you will get an impartial panel of officials that have no vested interest in your opponent & then maybe, they will vote for the winner & not their associate or associate's boxer. There are too many home club boxers being promoted over boxers from independent gyms & sad because tax payers are paying & it is not directed at advancing equally all boxers.

As a Canadian boxer you must be rated in the world & taken several expensive yet successful trips to other countries & those bouts are referred to as International competition. You must beat their top boxer...that is of course, if you were lucky enough to get past the political decisions of who will go & who will not regardless of the qualifications. I speak from experience. When the administration soured, there were Canadian champions that were overlooked & others from the administration went on International competition. No excuses were given. Unfair....for sure....

To be in that elite Olympic group is a dream. Everyone has dreams but plant your feet on the ground. There are few & far between that will make the grade. I am very sorry for the guys & gals that think the Olympics is within their reach & they are not looking at reality. You must be absolutely outstanding & be able to soundly dominate in your division.

The gals are going to be allowed in the 2012 Olympics. Nice. But who is suffering because of the added divisions. How about going back to the old weight divisions which proved more fair. It is totally unfair to have a weight division of 13 lbs. If gals want to box, no problem, but if their rules are not the same as the established rules, then put them in their own division & don't discount the males for them. The rules for engagement are not the same as the fellas. I have been told that only 3 weight divisions will be allowed for the females. There are many questions that need answers & equality with each country having a vote per boxing capita would be more fair. And another question, why is it for $25,000 I can have the AIBA sticker on my equipment? How did that payment make my equipment any more safe than it is now? My equipment meets the regulations but can't be approved for the general use unless I pay a fee. I think that is illegal....say it ain't so???

You have a window of a few years to make your mark & normally the mark is made by the time you are 17 - 18 years of age but somewhat later for females. If you are going to be 34 years old by the first Olympic date, you are NOT allowed to enter. George Foreman won the World Championship at age 40.

If you haven't soundly & decisively beat everyone in your association, in your category, then just box & enjoy yourself. If you want to go pro, the OBA has lots of pro clubs to help you out. The OBA is your place for fair decisions & a good time at the sport you chose.

OBA has good friendships & comardity amongst its clubs. We have fun.