Prince George has lost a boxing pioneer, a true legend of the sport.
Harold Mann, who had been battling with Alzheimer’s disease, was 78.
Mann, the gold medalist at the 1962 British Empires Games, was voted into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
He is also a member of the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame and the BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Mann earned three national championships in the 156 pound class in the late 1950’s and early
60’s.
“Laurie and I and Harold traveled all over Canada together. He was an excellent teacher of the skills of boxing. He loved the sport. I am very very deeply saddened at Harold’s passing,” said his good friend and fellow PG Sports Hall of Fame member Wayne Sponagle.
“Harold not only was a great contributor of building boxers but he was a contributor of building excellent young men. I remember Harold as a very polite diplomat. He never ever wanted to hurt anybody’s feelings,” added Sponagle.
He leaves behind wife Betty, and three sons, Laurie, Curtis and Cory. Laurie was a 6-time national boxing champion.
A funeral will be held on Friday.