1993 Kinesiology and Education graduate Manny Sobral has taken a most unique path among those who have graduated from UBC. Born in Spain, Manny’s family emigrated to Canada when he was 5 years old. At age 13 in an attempt to shed weight, he started boxing at the gym at Hastings & Main. By age 20, as an amateur boxer, he had won five gold medals representing Canada at international competitions. He was three times Canadian Amateur Champion and had represented Canada at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, another of UBC’s unheralded Olympians. His 126 amateur bouts included 40 knockouts and only nine losses.
At age 25 as a teacher in the Burnaby school system and later in Vancouver, Manny turned professional and between 1996 and 1998 was Canadian Super Welterweight champion. During the 1990s he fought some of the world’s best welterweights and at one time was ranked in the top 10 in the world.
In 2002 at age 34, Manny retired from pro boxing with a 29 – 2 record and in addition to his Masters of Education degree co-founded Westcoast Promotions which has successfully promoted professional and amateur boxing events on the lower mainland. He has also promoted athletic charity events as well as World Police and Fire Fighter Games boxing events.
Boxing was and is perhaps Manny’s first love but his teaching is right up there as well as he says “ . . . I love and find (it) fulfilling.” In the words of the president of Boxing Canada “(Manny) is an example of how sport can shape the individual.”
Today Manny, through his sports experience and personality, is referred to as a successful esteem builder and educator of youth at risk.
Written by Fred Hume, UBC Historian
