BRITISH COLUMBIA?S 150TH BIRTHDAY
CANADA HONORS WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONS, SPORT HEROES
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 07 Aug 2008
VICTORIA, Canada ? Among those honored by authorities of British Columbia during its week-long celebration of its 150th Birthday that culminated with a big celebration on August 4 were British Columbia?s sports heroes, including current world boxing champions.
Heading the list of world boxing champions is International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight champion Steve Molitor, IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion Adrian Diaconu, and woman WBC super featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich.
Molitor will defend his crown against Ceferino Dario LaBarda on August 29 at Casino Rama?s Rumble at Rama V in Toronto, Ontario.
The world champions were honored along with Victoria?s greatest athletes led by David Anderson, former Olympic and Pan American Games medal winning rower and former Canadian federal government cabinet minister; Don Barber, former NHL player; Len Barrie, former NHL player and now part owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and is a real estate developer of the Bear Mountain resort and surrounding lands in Langford; Geoff and Russ Courtnall, brothers and former NHL stars, are from the Victoria area.
Gary and Paul Gait, twin brothers and lacrosse players, were born and raised here; Rich Harden, MLB pitcher, grew up here; Silken Laumann, former Olympic medal winning rower; Steve Nash, two-time NBA MVP, although born in South Africa, grew up here; Rick O'Dell, former NASCAR driver.
Lynn and Muzz Patrick, brothers and former NHL players.
Lynn was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Matt Pettinger, NHL player, was raised here. Duncan Regehr, former Olympic boxing contender and figure skater, was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and raised in Victoria. He's also a stage, television, and movie actor; Bruce Twamley, former professional Association football player; Deb Whitten, former field hockey international player, was born here.
The city has hosted sports events including the 2005 Ford World Men's Curling Championship tournament, the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and 2006 Skate Canada. Victoria co-hosted the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup at Royal Athletic Park, and is the venue for the Bastion Square Grand Prix Criterium road cycling race.
Other great community events include a special Fire Bells & Fanfare. There was also a multi-day Best of BC Stage, a children?s activity zone, a showcase of the province?s food producers.
On the holiday Monday August 4th, the main stage concert finale featuring internationally-acclaimed BC stars such as Sarah McLachlan, Burton Cummings and Colin James, amongst others, performed.
Festival 150 offered Victoria residents and visitors an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate British Columbia as the ?Best Place on Earth?.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
GM Antonio outwits Kazakh GM, shares lead
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 26 Oct 2025Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025