The recent death of long-time Bellvue Boxing Club Coach Russell Oliver will leave a void that may never replaced, of a boxing trainer who didn't do the modern day boxing training for fitness, but taught his pupils the sweet science of competitive combat, in spades.

Russell was an amateur boxer in the late 1950's, before he began coaching with George McCarron and Bruce Tapp in 1976. He took over Bellvue Boxing Club in 1980, with his boxers achievements, ranging from local tournament successes through to Golden Gloves and Boxing New Zealand National titles, and Oceania Gold Medals.

Many of Russell's protégés had found themselves on the wrong side of the law, with the Bellvue boxing coach treating everyone the same, regardless of their circumstances. Russell helped shape many young lives in the Hutt Valley without ever looking for thanks or glory. An example of his dedication and passion for the sport that he loved, was that he personally fund-raised running Friday night raffles at the Bellvue Hotel, never asking his students for gym fees.

His assistant coaches were Olympian Tua Fale and Paul McCormack. Russell’s  list of amateur boxers over the years included Steve Woods, Joe Blackbourn, Cory Enoka, Mokai Paraha, Ty Williams, Marley Mahere, John Roil, Clinton Hooper, Uria Amafasaga, Miles Dyne, Courtney Renshaw, Danny Bloxham and the irrepressible Richard Pitman, plus many many more.

Russell also guided Jeff Smith, Shiva Mistra and Steve Woods in their time in the professional boxing ranks.

Joe Blackbourn under the tutelage of Russell Oliver, is entitled to be regarded as one of the best amateur glovemen of his era. Russell twice had his name engraved on the Joe Thwaites Shield which is awarded to the coach of the Jameson Belt winner. 

Joe won the Welterweight national title in 2005 accompanied by his first Jameson Belt, before claiming the Middleweight & Jameson Belt double at the North Harbour Nationals in 2007. A second Middleweight crown came before a hometown crowd in Lower Hutt in 2011.

Two Oceania Boxing championship Gold Medals and selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, further enhanced the Joe Blackbourn and Russell Oliver boxing reputations.

While Russell Oliver has received the final count - the Bellvue Boxing Club is in good hands, with club stalwart and Boxing New Zealand 1998 National Light Middleweight champion Miles Dyne, now leading the club coaching team.

RIP Russell Oliver

Article added: Friday 18 March 2022