Help the Lethbridge Boxing Club Keep Fighting
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone that donated! Without these incredible donations we don't know where we would be right now or what the future of Lethbridge Boxing would look like, so thank you for helping us persist long enough to see a better day. You guys are awesome.
- Team of the LBC
*****
Help Keep us in the Fight
Like many gyms and businesses that were forced to shut down due to Covid, we are feeling the hurt. We are asking for donations to help cover the missed rent and utilities from Dec, Jan, and Feb with any extra being re-invested back into the gym (weights, flooring, gloves, pads, rope covers, etc.). Even though we are now technically "open", many of our members have not been able to come back yet due to restrictions and/or Covid concerns. At this time, we are just trying to get through this the best way can, prepare for the future, and create some breathing room so Rick can stop losing his shirt (his words, haha).
Donations
We realize this is a tough time for everyone so we have no expectations as far as donations go. Anything and everything is much appreciated. We wish we could offer one of those fundraisers where everyone gets a cool package, but that's just not the reality for us right now.
What we can offer is this:
INDIVIDUALS -- If you want your donation to go towards your membership dues, please let us know and we can make that happen.
CORPORATE -- If you want your donation to go towards a sponsorship, please let us know and we can make that happen as well (on the website, on gear, and in the club).
Our Mission
At the Lethbridge Boxing Club, we use boxing as a way to foster values, respect, character building, and confidence, while providing a welcoming environment for all. For some, this helps keep them off the streets. For others, it provides a tool to navigate mental health issues. For many, the discipline and hard work here acts as a catalyst for greater things outside the club.
Since 1937, the LBC relies on volunteers and funding to help carry out this mission.
Our History
Since the inception of the club almost a century ago, many inspirational people have walked through our doors:
HEAD COACHES like John Pahara (1937 – 1957), Tony Bogusky (1957 - 1975), Kai Yip (1975 – 2010), and Rick Duff (2010 – present)
PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS like Janks Trottier, Joel Mills, Ken Frank, and David McQuaker
CANADIAN CHAMPIONS like Curtis Hatch, Travis Manygreyhorses, Kyle Oliver, and Carmen Rinke
BOXING AMBASSADORS like Mick Pariseau (Teacher at CCH), Doug Rowe (Former Sport’s Editor for the Lethbridge Herald), and Rob Carswell (Red Deer Boxing)
SUPER VOLUNTEERS like Susan Pollock Keller, Bill Oliver, Al Feldbusch, and Charles Mears
There are too many stories and great people to mention on this page alone, but here are a few highlights to help get you caught up on this current era with Head Coach Rick Duff.
The RUGGED TOUGH Era
The 80's
In 1979, Rick Duff began boxing under then Head Coach, Kai Yip, at the Lethbridge Boxing Club. Rick got beat up quite a lot in those early days (as told by Kai) but he learned a lot as well. So much so that he would go on to compete in the 1984 Olympics, win numerous Canadian awards, and finish his career with 251 wins.
The 90's
In 1989, after winning his 5th Canadian Championship, Rick would retire from boxing to serve in the military. Not much for retirement, Rick would come out for 6 fights in 1995 to win yet another Provincial Championship (beating the Canadian champ in the process). Around this time he also volunteered at Inner City Boxing in Calgary.
The 00's
In 2000, Rick was honourably discharged from the military and began work in Security & Corrections in Edmonton. In his off time, he would coach at South Side Boxing Club. In 2007, Rick would return home to Lethbridge and would almost immediately begin coaching at the YMCA.
The 10's
In 2010, the Rugged Tough era would officially begin when Kai retired and handed the reigns over to Rick. After seven years in a shared gym with part-time hours, Rick and the LBC community (with help from sponsors) moved the club to their very own building in 2017 that allowed them to be more competitive. That same year, Rick cornered his first Canadian Champion: Kyle Oliver. Two years later, Rick would corner two more Canadian Medalists: Tessa Feldbusch and Carlos Marquina (both 3rd place). In between his boxer's achievements, Rick would also receive some of his own accolades, winning Boxing Alberta's Coach of the Year (2014) as well as being inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (2017).
The 20's
Covid-19.
When "this" is all over, we have ambitious plans to acquire another garage bay, expand our martial arts offerings, and be able to pay some staff, but right now it's just about surviving and preparing for the next pandemic curveball the best we can. We appreciate all the support, both past and present.
- The Team of the LBC
Video Credit:
Director & Editor - Badex.tv
Videographer - MyVisionsMedia.com
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