Eddie Wenstob
Boxing Pioneer - Inducted 2006
Eddie Wenstob grew up in Viking, Alberta. He dreamt of being a boxer like Jack Dempsey and of one day owning a ranch.
Eddie Wenstob, at eighteen years of age, stepped out of a crowd at a local boxing card and volunteered to fill in for an absent boxer. He won and continued winning bouts locally and in Edmonton. Eighteen months later, the 170lb. Alberta farm boy was participating in the main events in the world’s largest stadium in London, England, taking on world-ranking South African, German, and British heavyweight and light-heavyweight champions. He won several, had a draw on others, and lost two close decisions on points. In England, Eddie was known as the “Canadian Cowboy” and was a favorite with the fans in London’s Wembley stadium. Eddie returned to America for a short time to train with Jack Dempsey.
Upon his return to North America, Wenstob met ranking boxers in Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Detroit. During this time, Wenstob became the Canadian Light Heavy Weight Champion and was ranked third in the world in that division. In his first 23 fights back in Canada and the U.S.A., Wenstob won twenty-one, had a draw in two, and lost two. One of his losses was to Fred Lenhart after he broke his hand in the second round.
Wenstob, in his last six fights, won one by KO and lost the other five - including a close decision against Al Delaney in a Canadian Heavy Weight title match. With broken hands, Wenstob had lost his punching power and retired in 1942.
Eddie Wenstob gave to sport the possibility that any young athlete from any small town or farm can combine dreams, will, and natural ability and make a mark in his or her particular sport.
After Induction
1988 - Passed away on April 27th at the age of 75
