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Jerry Shears

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jerry Shears
Born(1925-10-18)October 18, 1925
DiedMarch 21, 2010(2010-03-21) (aged 84)
NationalityCanada Canadian

Jerry Shears (October 18, 1925 – March 21, 2010), also known as Gerald Schulman,[1] was the founder and president of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association (CABA). He was instrumental in organizing international competitions and promoting the use of protective headgear by amateur boxers.[2]

Early history

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Jerry Shears was born on October 18, 1925, in Montreal, Quebec. He was the oldest of five children and the son of former Allied Forces bantamweight boxing champion Joe Shears.[3]

Amateur boxing career

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At 13, and 95 pounds, he discovered boxing with gloves at neighbourhood clubs.[4] He started boxing competitively in 1938. By the 1940s, he fought in matches and tournaments in Montreal, winning multiple Montreal Golden Gloves championships.[5] After joining the Canadian Armed Forces at 15, he took the Army's lightweight title in 1942 at 17 years old. Shears won the Canadian lightweight championship in 1947.[6] After a five-round fight at the Oxford YMCA in London, England, in 1950, he announced his retirement from competitive ring combat.[7]

He only lost 15 of his 150 fights over a 12-year period.[8] He fought at the Montreal Forum, Maple Leaf Gardens, and throughout the United States.

Work career

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After the army, Shears began a career in insurance as a broker.[9]

In 1969, Shears established the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association and served as the organization's president.[10] Throughout the 1970s, he acquired an international reputation when he spearheaded the drive to produce a safer sport and his efforts on AIBA's safety commission were rewarded in 1988 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) mandated headgear at the Olympics for the first time.[11]

He was the executive vice president of the organizing committee for the 1981 World Cup Boxing Championships at Montreal's Maurice Richard Arena.[12]

Death

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Jerry Shears died in Ste. Anne's Hospital on Sunday, March 21, 2010, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.[13]

Honors and awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Soldier Offers to Donate Pay To Red Cross for Saving Father - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  2. ^ "Canadian Boxing Was Lightweight Champion - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  3. ^ "Jerry Shears — Fighter Was A Champ". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. March 25, 2010.
  4. ^ "Shears Looking Forward To His Type of Olympics - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  5. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-jerry-shears-golden-gloves/146893134/
  6. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-quebec-claims-pair-of-titles/146938410/
  7. ^ ""A Shot In The Arm" - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  8. ^ "Jerry's Promoting Canada to the Main Event - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  9. ^ "Ex-Ring Champ Dies". thecjn.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  10. ^ "Shears Re-elected President - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  11. ^ "Shears Fights Boxing Politics - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  12. ^ "Quebec Coach Named Apprentice - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  13. ^ "Obituaries: Jerry Shears — Fighter Was A Champ Boxer And Broker - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  14. ^ "Star On All-Star Navy Ring Show - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  15. ^ "Golden Gloves to Golden Agers: Ex-boxer Still Packs A Punch - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  16. ^ "CAF | Sports Hall Of Fame". boxingnl.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-10.