1982 Golden Gloves in Tuatapere

First memories from those at Tuatapere say boxing goes back to 1920 and it is fantastic that such a small town has got the calibre of boxers on show.  An American known simply as Fitzsimmonds started the club and men such as Alan Dickson, Mike Baldwin, and trainer George McKay, kept the sport going.

George McKay left the boxing scene for a while,  but missed it so much he returned and his right hand man Joe Prendiville, was there when George left.  Errol Templeton is still training the youth in the sport and he has helped the Tuatapere club to become even stronger with many a willing hand to ensure the club remains alive.  It is this local help that has ensure the Golden Gloves is held in Tuatapere and everyone should be very proud of themselves for this achievement.  They can even claim that they had a professional belt between George McEwan and Frank Prendergast, in either 1935 or 1936 - maybe someone could shed some light on this. 
Other well known fighters who have trained in the district during these years were Ambrose Palmer, George Singleton, Claude Nichol and Jack Rainsford, all from Australia and an American Negro, Roy De Garns.
The club hopes to have George McEwan and Ray Nichol in attendance at the Golden Glove Tournament.
Some of the more well known boxers from the district are; Mick Sheehan, George Muir, Russell Sherrif, Johnny and Bill Henderson, Alan Johnson and Errol Templeton.
The best junior produced by the club is currently Peter Anderson, and hopes will be high that he can show his skill for the weekend of the Golden Gloves.