Hall of Fame Plaque visits Hall of Fame member Jean-Paul Ricard!
There were no punches thrown, no scorecards read, and no split decisions—just cheers, handshakes, and more than a few happy tears as the Boxing Canada Hall of Fame plaque made special visit this week to pay tribute to a man who’s seen more rings than a jewelry store: Jean-Paul Ricard.
Ricard, a Sherbrooke native and legendary Olympic-style boxing official, was treated to a visit from fellow Hall of Fame member Marcel Toulouse and the Boxing Canada Hall of Fame plaque. Normally on display at Boxing Canada’s national headquarters, or at a National Championships, the plaque is on a tour of the Sherbrooke area in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Sherbooke Boxing Club. This was the first time that Jean-Paul Ricard was able to see the plaque honouring him for the tremendous contributions he made over seven decades to the sport of Olympic-style boxing.
Ricard, who served as Canada’s Chief Boxing Referee for an impressive eight years, has officiated at nearly every major boxing event imaginable—from the Pan American Games in Havana (1991) and Mar del Plata (1995) to the Olympic Games in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). He’s donned the ref’s shirt at four Canada Games and at a dizzying number of national championships. As a member of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Federation Hall of Fame (1990s), the University of Sherbrooke Sports Hall of Fame (2007), and the Estrie Sport Hall of Fame (2016), Ricard’s trophy case is pretty crowded!
Despite his international resume, Ricard is perhaps most admired for his unwavering commitment to fair play and athlete health. A certified sports doping control officer for the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, Ricard has been a silent guardian of clean sport across continents. His commitment to clean sport is a direct reflection to the values of safety and fairness that underscore all Olympic-style Boxing.
Before the Hall of Fame plaque heads back to its usual home, it will be prominently on display at the 50th anniversary of the Sherbrooke Boxing Club. For any club to reach the half-century mark is a major milestone. The club will have an evening banquet and celebration July 5th, 2025 at the Hotel Delta Sherbrooke (2685 rue King Ouest). Please contact the club ([email protected]) if you are interested in attending.
