By Chris Walker

Opportunities appear everywhere in boxing.  Whether you’re a boxer, trainer, judge, or even an ex-fighter, a chance can materialise from anywhere.   I was given a golden opportunity on Sunday as I sat ringside at Rotunda ABC’s club show on Merseyside last Sunday afternoon.

My day hadn’t got off to the best of beginnings.  A routine 25-minute stroll was turned into an hour-long trudge due to the awful conditions that had halted the majority of the country.  After arriving fifteen minutes late, I said my apologies and made my way ringside.  On my way, a couple of club officials thanked me for an article I had written on the famed club at the backend of last year.

 

Now comfortable, my eyes swapped frequently between ring and pad as I scribbled notes into my newly acquired notebook.  The action was good and with Liverpool’s game against Tottenham falling victim to the weather, I was more than thrilled with this alternative. 

Between bouts I made my way to the toilets, during my return I encountered Natasha Jonas who was on hand to award trophies to the day’s competitors.  We shared pleasantries and arranged a future interview; I returned to my seat and began to think would it feel different putting questions across to a female boxer.  I guess we’ll find out shortly enough.

As well as Jonas, there was another special guest in attendance, his name?  John O’Shea.  O’Shea and I were introduced to each other halfway through the show by Rotunda club Secretary Alec McGowan and when hearing John’s credentials I thought it would make for a fascinating interview.  I decided to grasp this opportunity.

O’Shea is currently president of Boxing Canada.  There is no higher rank in Canadian Amateur boxing.  The 71-year-old Liverpool man spoke passionately about how he came into his current role.  “I’ve been involved with amateur boxing for a long, long time,” recalled O’Shea. 

“I began at the old Kensington ABC; I was secretary at the club before going on to enjoy other roles.  I was a judge, a referee and eventually I became a member of the ABA council.”

It was during 1975 when O’Shea took a massive step towards where he was ultimately heading.  “I was in charge of a North-West Counties team that were touring in Vancouver.  It was there that I met my future wife, Pauline.  She was originally from Manchester but she moved to Canada when she was only two-years-old.  She was from a boxing family so there was already some sort of a connection between us,” stated O’Shea.

O’Shea did not stay in Canada after this trip, he returned to Liverpool to continue his duties but he was eventually reunited with his Canadian charm.  “Shortly after I returned, Pauline came to visit some of her family in Manchester,” he continued.  “We met up once more and for the next two years we stayed in contact via telephone.  We spoke all the time and it was in 1978 that I decided to head over there permanently.” 

O’Shea’s decision to begin a new adventure did not hinder his love of amateur boxing.  Although the former Kirkby man was deep in new surroundings, his roles and responsibilities continued as he was thrust into senior positions within Canadian boxing.

He said: “It was like starting again over there.  I was based in Vancouver and I had numerous roles within British Columbia Amateur Boxing.  I was referee, secretary and around the late 80’s I became president for the entire British Columbia area.” 

The timing of his appointment got me thinking whether O’Shea had any input into Lennox Lewis’s Olympic success in the 1988 Olympics.  “None at all”, was his answer, “I knew Lennox but I didn’t know him all that well.  I was mainly involved with British Columbia at the time so the success earned by Lennox had nothing to do with me.” 

Although not responsible for Canadian success in Seoul 88, O’Shea can still look to other memorable tournaments in which Canada gripped the spotlight.  “Manchester [Commonwealth Games] in 2002 was a great time.  We had a good squad that should have gone on to do so much more,” he said. 

Members of that squad include gold medallists Jason Douglas, who stood on the 81kg podium, and Jean Pascal who was that year’s light middle boss.  “Take this from me, Jean Pascal was an exceptional fighter and still is.  He’s truly outstanding.   He still turns up at all the amateur events giving advice to fighters and handing out awards.  He’s a credit to Canadian sport,” declared O’Shea.

The success enjoyed by Canada’s last great generation was unfortunately not a springboard for future honours.  In 2008, The Maple Leaf country only sent one boxer to that summer’s Olympics and he was eliminated in the opening round.  What does O’Shea think is to blame for this downside? 

“It’s the funding.  The funding for our sport could be so much better.  Were at catch 22 with Sport Canada as they will only provide more money once we deliver medals but how can we deliver medals when were not being funded correctly?” he asked.

 

The lack of resources is a genuine concern for O’Shea but are there any other factors that contribute to Canada’s recent failures?  “Not really.  We’ve proved before that we can provide the fighters to compete but we just need the funds to help them stay amateur.  Too many good kids are going pro too early just because they’re able to receive some sort of income.  The funding just needs to be improved.”

On the subject of funding, O’Shea then praises the efforts that are put in place by this country in regards to amateur boxing.  “Over here everything is much better organised.  I remember in 2002 when I came over with our squad, Liverpool City Council were fantastic in the manner in which they treated us,” said O’Shea.

“They provided excellent accommodation and our transport was always on time.  They were superb.  Even when we’ve visited in recent years for tournaments or international, the service provided by you guys is always superb.”

 

Now in his third term as Boxing Canada President, O’Shea remains optimistic about what the future may hold.  “I’m not sure how well represented were going to be over here in 2012.  The lack of funding combined with our location means that qualifying is going to be very difficult.  We’re going to be up the likes of America and Cuba in the run in so I’m just hoping for the best.  In female boxing we have Mary Spencer at middleweight.  I’m extremely confident that she can return with a medal.”

Despite the failings of his country in recent years, O’Shea refuses to display any negativity to a sport that has often treated him so well.

He said: “I’ll always be grateful to boxing; it’s given me so much.  This sport has given me the opportunity to see many places and most importantly it gave me a beautiful wife and two great children [John also has two children from his previous partner].  I’ll never forget what boxing has given me.” 

You see what I mean about opportunities?