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For Taylor Gordon the beat goes on and on and on.

“I remember a conversation I had with Angelo Dundee (former trainer of Muhammed Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard) and he said as long as you stay working with young people you stay young, so I have no intention of retiring,” said the 64-year-old Gordon, who began his storied career as an amateur boxing coach in 1957.

“I’m still keen about seeing young people achieve their goals in Olympic boxing and as long as I can contribute I plan to stay active.”

Gordon has been committed to helping youngsters turn dreams into reality for almost four decades.

“Sure there have been a lot of ups and downs, and a few setbacks,” said Gordon. “But I feel comfortable with the fact that I can always look in the mirror and say I did my best for young people. You can’t make champions of them all, but you can make better adults out of them and in a lot of cases that happened.”

Born in Melfort, Saskastchewan (186 miles straight north of Regina), Gordon spent 25 years in the navy and won the Canadian armed forces title in the lightweight class in 1950. Although he never fought pro, he had 111 amateur bouts, winning 101. He moved to Nova Scotia for good in 1971 and over the past 25 years has played an instrumental part in sending nine Nova Scotia boxers to the Olympics.

That list includes Carroll Morgan in 1972, Chris Clarke in 1976, Ricky Anderson in 1980 (boycott year), son Wayne in 1984, Ray Downey in 1988, Downey, Marty O’Donnell and Kirk Johnson in 1992 and Randall Thompson and David Defiagbon last July.

He was named the field supervisor for boxing by the Atlanta Organizing Committee, this year marked the sixth occasion Gordon has attended the Olympics. As a national coach for Canada, Gordon also attended the 1968, 1980, 1984, 1988, and 1992 games. “We didn’t go to Moscow in 1980 because of the boycott but Ricky (Anderson) and I have certificates from the Olympic association,” said Gordon, who retired as national coach in November of 1992.

“I don’t know how many kids he’s gotten to the Olympics but I do know he’s been good for amateur boxing in this province,” said Gerry Fraser, a former pro boxer and fight promoter.

“Everybody hasn’t always agreed with everything he’s done and I don’t necessarily agree with everything he’s done, but the bottom line is Taylor has done one helluva job for amateur boxing.”

Mike (Bunny) Phillips, trainer of such well-known local fighters as Peewee Flint, Chris Clarke and Gerry Meekison, agreed with Fraser.

“Taylor’s a good guy,” said Phillips. “Amateur boxing took off like a whirlwind when he came on the scene and hasn’t stopped. He’s the backbone of amateur boxing, knows the game and his credentials speak for themselves.”

Still in the gym (Citadel Amateur Boxing Club at Bloomfield School in Halifax) five days a week, Gordon is already looking forward to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

“I don’t profess to be the best coach or to know it all,” said Gordon, whose first big international tournament was the Commonwealth Games in Jamaica in 1966. “But I do feel I can show kids how to get there (Olympics) and how to motivate them for four years.

“That’s the key to success in this business. We’re always planning for four years in advance. You never reach burnout if you put things in proper perspective and have something to look forward to.”

Wayne Gordon, an assistant coach at this year’s Olympics and the Nova Scotia provincial coach, praised the efforts of his father. “He always put the athletes first and does what’s best for his fighters,” said Wayne. “He’s been totally dedicated and always gives 100 per cent.”

Taylor Gordon was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1996.

Bio Courtesy of Steve Bezanson