First off, I shouldn’t be up here doing this. This honour was reserved for Howard’s close friend Bill Campbell, who did so much to get Howard inducted today. Unfortunately, some health complications have meant that Bill couldn’t attend, but I know he will be watching this video – Hi Bill – and we all send our love and best wishes for a healthy recovery.
What I am about to share is a combination of Bill’s words, my own experiences with Howard, and also what was shared when the nomination for Howard came in.
First off, the nomination itself was quite a ride. Bill contacted me about 2 years ago asking how he could go about getting Howard inducted. I was delighted to hear this, and I went through the process step by step – put a nomination bio together, get some letters of recommendation, some photos, and make a nice package. I was very clear, very precise, and looked forward to getting something from Bill….
Now Howard tells me that Bill is a bit deaf, and I can go along with that, either that, or he just basically ignored me anyway, as the next day there was a full-blown petition on Facebook, with my email and phone number as the contact, to campaign for Howard to be in the Hall of Fame. That morning, I must have fielded about 30 calls, and twice as many emails, all calling for Howard’s induction into the Hall of Fame. I could have been annoyed, but deep down I was delighted, because it proved to me what I already knew – that Howard Watts deserved to be in the PEI Sports Hall of Fame.
When I first started as the Communications Officer at Sport PEI back in 2001, part of the role was to send to media all of the stories in local sport. I always looked forward to those Monday mornings after Howard had been away, as without fail he would come into my office, a big smile, carrying a piece of paper that had all of his fighters results on. More often than not, it was a 100% win rate.
The equation is simple – no Howard, equals no boxing. For he has been the one who has driven the sport, almost single-handed, since he, Bill, and Joe Borden set up a boxing ring at the old Basilica Recreation Centre in the early 1980s, after returning to the province after residing in Nova Scotia.
A self-confessed gym rat whose brother was a fine fighter, Howard’s love and involvement for the sport stretches back more than 50 years. Boxing used to be a big deal here – look at the number of boxers who are in the Hall of Fame – but it had died here before he revived its fortunes, and slowly Howard set about making it one of the most successful sports in the province.
Blessed with a good eye for talent, Howard’s ability to spot, and train, a future champion, is like a sixth sense. He can never remember exactly how medals he was won, one at every Canada Games, he reckons – but he reels off with pride those National and Canada Games champions that have been through his doors – his own son Steven Watts was a three-time Canadian champion; Joe Gallant, Shawn Vessey, Megan MacLellan, Darcy McKenna, Robert MacMillan, and others, have all earned the highest accolades because of what Howard has taught them. Island boxers are a tough breed, and Howard has made them feared opponents at any big event.
A level 4 coach, which is just one step away from Olympic standard, Howard’s abilities have been recognized by the national body, and he has been part of the Canadian team on numerous occasions. His impressive resume includes international events in places such as Spain, Italy, China, Bangkok, Poland, Cuba, Greece, Mexico and the United States. This is the respect that Howard has commanded over his years in the sport…
What sets Howard apart though is not just the desire to create champions, it is his desire to provide an outlet, somewhere for kids to learn and better themselves.
He has always recognized that the sport can play a crucial role in a child’s development, and he encourages those who may have come from troubled backgrounds, or cannot afford high fees, to come and take part. The doors of the Ko-Ed Boxing Academy are always open.
Do a google on Howard Watts, and you will see countless articles on Howard’s generosity, kindness and patience. Many of those former students openly admit they would have gone off the rails if it wasn’t for the teaching, and patience, of Howard. Howard knows, sadly, only too well what can happen when young people become involved in the dark side of life – for many, Howard’s gym has been their salvation, and many were happy to share those experiences when they contacted me about inducting Howard.
Howard’s involvement has only ever been as a volunteer, and the only payment he receives is seeing the youngsters he works with develop into not just fine athletes, but contributing members of society.
The time Howard puts into the sport is without parallel. Loading up the van most week-ends, Howard will take a group of fighters wherever he can find a card, showing up all over eastern Canada just so his charges can get a work-out and some much-needed competition.
Not that it has been easy. Boxing has had an uneasy relationship with sport bureaucracy. It is always a battle to get it recognized nationally, especially at Canada Games, where it seems the powers that be only grudgingly, reluctantly, allow it to be part of the Games. Even when faced with the obstacles, Howard does what all good prize fighters do – he gets off the canvas, brushes himself down, and goes again. Whatever the challenge, Howard finds a way…
When asked for his motivation, Howard will usually just smile and says it is his hobby, and he enjoys working with the kids. It is a very simplistic response, but it is a hobby that takes 100% dedication, 52 weeks a year…as Bill says, most people have no idea how much time it takes to put on a boxing card – getting sponsors, referees, a doctor and judges, just to name a few….Howard would be the first to recognize the help that local media gave him, notably Loman McCaulay and our Dave Holland at CFCY, and Bill McGuire at The Guardian.
Everybody loves an underdog, and there is no better underdog story than that of that great boxer, Rocky Balboa. Who doesn’t love Rocky, right….there is a line in the first movie which sums up what boxing, and Howard Watts, is all about…..” It ain’t about hard you hit, it’s about hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward…” take life’s blows, shrug them off, and keep moving forward…
I will leave the last word to Bill Campbell….to summarize, Howard Watts is an amazing man who has helped so many people over the years. He is well respected all over Canada by fellow boxing coaches. I am so proud of what Howard has accomplished in over 40 years of coaching boxing…I was so fortunate to have coached with Howard, and we have a lifelong friendship that is very special to me. Congratulations Howard, well deserved my friend. Love you buddy.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the newest member of the PEI Sports Hall of Fame….Howard Watts
