Jerry Shears
Jerry Shears (born 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[edit]
Jerry Shears was born on October 18, 1925 in Montreal, Quebec. He was the oldest of four children and the son of former Allied Forces bantamweight boxing champion Joe Shears.[3]
Amateur boxing career[edit]
At 13, and 95 pounds, he discovered boxing with gloves at neighborhood 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 Forum, Maple Leaf Gardens, and throughout the United States.
Work career[edit]
After the army, Jerry began a career in insurance as a broker.[9]
In 1969, Jerry 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 spearhead 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[edit]
Jerry Shears died in Ste. Anne's Hospital on Sunday, March 21, 2010 in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada.[13]
Honors and awards[edit]
- Montreal Golden Gloves Champion.[14]
- Canadian Lightweight Amateur Boxing Champion. (1947)
- Inductee of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame as a builder. (1976)
- Inductee of Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.[15](1977)
References[edit]
- ^ "Soldier Offers to Donate Pay To Red Cross for Saving Father - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Canadian Boxing Was Lightweight Champion - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Jerry Shears — Fighter Was A Champ". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. March 25, 2010.
- ^ "Shears Looking Forward To His Type of Olympics - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-jerry-shears-golden-gloves/146893134/
- ^ https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette-quebec-claims-pair-of-titles/146938410/
- ^ ""A Shot In The Arm" - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Jerry's Promoting Canada to the Main Event - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Ex-Ring Champ Dies". thecjn.ca. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Shears Re-elected President - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Shears Fights Boxing Politics - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Quebec Coach Named Apprentice - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Obituaries: Jerry Shears — Fighter Was A Champ Boxer And Broker - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Star On All-Star Navy Ring Show - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Golden Gloves to Golden Agers: Ex-boxer Still Packs A Punch - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.