The `80s Called...They Want Their Boxers Back

The 1980s was a great decade for boxing.

Some of the best boxing films of all time were released, and we saw some of the world`s best boxers.









Salvador Sánchez, Roberto Durán ,  Marvin Hagler, Larry Holmes, Sugar Ray Leonard,
Alexis Argüello, and Hector Camacho.

Also, in the late `80s, Mike Tyson made his professional debut, and didn`t try to bite someone`s ear off.









However, there is another professional boxer from that era that many of you may not have heard of.

Rick Soucé 1988

His name is Richard Soucé. Also known as Rick.

He was a `No-Name`from Brampton, Ontario.

Although, he is probably more known now, than he was back then. Especially in the Toronto area.


He is currently coaching a who new breed of boxers at the Stockyards Boxing Gym in West Toronto. 
Along with his assistant, Junmar Emon, who  currently competing professionally, they coach one of the largest boxing teams in Toronto. Including, myself.

That is amazing, since Stockyards is just a little less than three years old...or maybe not.
Stockyards has one of the best coaching staff.

Rick Soucé NOW

As you can see, Richard has barely aged in 25 years.


WATCH RICK SOUCÉ VS. HECTOR CAMACHO (1988) HERE


It is kind of creepy when I watch his old bouts. It is like being stuck in a time-warp.





Rick has turned out to be a great coach. Turning out great boxer after great boxer. Maybe, a future world champion.


However, there was another boxer from the `80s, who was even lesser known.

You know him now as `The Brick`, but back then he was just Paul.
Yes. I started training in boxing in 1985.

You may find this hard to believe, but I was once a tiny, little weakling. 
You know, the one who was always picked on by the bullies?

Well, my dad got tired of it. You know what dad's are like. He took me to this little boxing gym in the basement of the Normahurst Community Centre in East Hamilton.
The gym was called McGrory's, and the coach was Vinnie Ryan, who is apparently still coaching.

After just six months of training, I did not have any more problems with bullies.

McGrory's Boxing Club at Normanhurst Community Centre

McGrory's Boxing Club is no longer at that location. The city of Hamilton sold the building, and it has since been demolished. 
McGrory's found a new home in the basement of a church a few blocks west on Barton Street.

I trained with Vinnie for three years until we moved to Toronto. I did not bother to return to boxing, until just about four years ago.
...and you all know the continuation of that story.

I pulled up this old photo of me posing with huge 16-oz gloves in the floor-level ring at McGrory's. 1987. 
Look at all that hair!

"The Brick" at McGrory's Boxing Club, 1987.

Don't laugh!

Cheers.