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.
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