Monday, June 9 2008

Fightnews feature writer Ray Wheatley was named in the Queens Birthday honour list today to receive the prestigious Order of Australia Medal which was approved by the Governor-General in his capacity as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, for 45 years service to boxing.

Wheatley became an amateur boxer in 1963 winning NSW title in 1964 and Golden Gloves championship in 1967. He turned professional in 1969 and in a bout with Tony Mundine became the only Australian to have the future Aussie great on the canvas. Wheatley trained boxers in his backyard garage from 1972 to 1985. He promoted amateur and professional shows during the 1980s and 1990s. He became a boxing official in 1986 and would later judge or referee world title bouts in the USA, Australia, Africa , Thailand and Indonesia. In 1992 Wheatley became the publisher of the World of Boxing publication which is now in its 16th year of distribution throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 1997 Wheatley published Title Fight magazine which was distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand until 2007. In 1999 he started writing fight reports for Fightnews. In 2000 Wheatley was voted in as a Vice President of the International Boxing Federation in Acupulco, Mexico. He is currently serving as a Board member under President Marian Muhammad. Wheatley worked as a boxing commentator for Foxtel Fight Nights during 2005 and 2006. He also was a commentator on ESPN Special documentary – Muhammad Ali – Greatest of All time. "It is a great honor to receive this award," Wheatley said. "I have been blessed that the sport I love has given me this fantastic award. I am looking forward to having many more years in the sport of boxing."

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2/headlines/EkEFpEZFlAOmDNZAVF.html