Ralph Thomas

Ralph Thomas was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick. He has two sons, Jeffrey and Michael. Ralph is a renowned amateur and professional boxer, known as ‘Tiger,’ and considered the godfather of amateur boxing in New Brunswick.

Following a successful boxing career, Ralph transitioned into coaching, developing, and promoting the sport at the amateur level, both in Saint John and throughout the province. He founded the New Brunswick Amateur Boxing Association, serving as its president for 20 years. He also opened the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club in 1966, where several Saint John members have won both national and international boxing titles. He served 28 years on the board of directors of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association and was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1976 and the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Ralph served as the president of PRUDE Inc. (Pride of Race, Unity and Dignity through Education) from 1997 to 2021. PRUDE is focused on creating inclusion through programs and mentorships throughout the province which under Ralph’s leadership, expanded its mandate to include visible multicultural minorities and newcomers. He championed an awareness program to challenge racial and ethnic stereotypes among youth, and developed partnerships with the Anglophone School District and multicultural groups. He received the New Brunswick Human Rights Award in 2012, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of New Brunswick in 2019.

In 2010, he co-founded the New Brunswick Black History Society and served as a board member for various non-profit organizations including the Kings Landing Historical Settlement. He is very active in illuminating the history of Black New Brunswickers, believing it to be integral to the heritage and fabric of New Brunswick.

He is a recipient of several medals and awards including the YMCA Peace Medal, and the Toastmasters Communications and Leadership Award. Other recent awards include the Governor General Volunteer Medal in 2020, The Chamber’s Inspirational Leader Award, The Order of The NB Award and Community Award of Greater Saint John Chinese Cultural Association Inc, all in 2021. In 2022, he received the Legacy Award of New Brunswick Multicultural Council and Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Sports

• 1976 Canadian Amateur Boxing Association (leadership/builder’s award)
• 1978 Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame (inducted)
• 1991 Saint John Sports Hall of Fame (inducted builder)
• 2000 NB Sports Hall of Fame- (inducted-builder)
• 2001 Canadian Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame (inducted builder) Associations and Community Groups

Associations and Community Groups

• 1963 Golden Glove Amateur Boxing Club (founder and builder)
• 1966-1978 New Brunswick Amateur Boxing Association (president)
• 1980-present Prude Inc. (member, treasurer, vice-president, and president)
• 2010-present New Brunswick Black History Society (co-founder and member)
• 2012-present New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame (Sports Ambassador)

Special Honors

• 1976 Canadian Amateur Boxing Association (leadership/builder’s award)
• 1978 Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame (inducted)
• 1991 Saint John Sports Hall of Fame (inducted builder)
• 1992 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Sports Awards Sports Awards
• 2000 New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame (inducted builder)
• 2001 Canadian Amateur Boxing Hall of Fame (inducted builder)
• 2002 Queen Elizabeth 11 Golden Jubilee Award (recipient)
• 2002 YM/YWCA Peace Medal (recipient)
• 2006 Saint John Y’s men Club (Friends of the Community Award)-recipient
• 2012 New Brunswick Human Rights Award (recipient)
• 2013 New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame (Sports Ambassador)
• 2019 Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree UNB Saint John
• 2020 Awarded the Governor General Volunteer Medal
• 2021 Recipient of The Chamber’s Inspirational Leader Award
• 2021 Recipient of The Order of NB Award
• 2022 Legacy Award of New Brunswick Multicultural Council
• 2021 Community Award of Greater Saint John Chinese Cultural Association Inc.