BOXER STILL ALIVE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 176, 25 June 1935, Page 2

BOXER STILL ALIVE.

BILLY MURPHY IMPROVING. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 24. The report telegraphed this afternoon that Thomas AVilliam (Billy) Murphy, former world boxing champion, had died in the Auckland Hospital is incorrect. Another patient named Murphy died in the hospital where Billy Murphy has been a patient for some time suffering from injuries received in an accident. The latter’s condition has slightly improved. Billy Murphy, who is aged 74, was the only native New Zealander who ever won a world’s championship boxing title. He was universally regarded as world’s champion in the featherweight class after defeating Ike Weir in San Francisco on January 13, 1890. In the same year he outgrew the class and surrendered the title. Weir ; who was called the “Belfast Spider,” was a Scotsman, and during the eighties he became the first man to he recognised as champion of the Featherweights.” In 1889 lie visited the United States and fought an 80-round draw with Frank Murphy, of England. A telegram from Auckland published in the last edition of the “Standard” yesterday, announced the passing of Billy. Murphy. A FAMOUS FIGURE. Murphy, writes John Warnes (“Olympian”), fought as a featherweight, and in his fourth fight in America won the world’s championship from Ike (“Spider”) Weir on a knockout in the fourteenth round. The contest took place in the C.A.C. (the famous resort of the time) the purse being for £450 in addition to Fox’s Diamond Belt. Murphy stayed in America just a year and then returned to his native Auckland. As world’s champion he was given a wonderful reception, but he did not rest on his laurels. He went across to Australia and there, on September 3, 1890, defended his title against the fighting wizard of the day. Griffo (Albert Griffiths). The contest, was for a purse of £250 and was won by the Australian after fifteen rounds. Murphy fought for sixteen years after that contest, retiring at the comparatively old ago of 43. in liis day Murphy, or “Torpedo as he was nick-named, was the most fashionably attired fighter from Sydney to San Francisco and like his countryman, Jim Griffin (now living in Waipukurau), he never considered himself properly dressed unless decked out in silk top hat, frock-coat, striped trousers, spats, suede shoes, gloves and silver-mounted stick.

Murphy was a real connoisseur on dress and after his retirement from the ring he appropriately enough became a tailor—a trade at which lie was engaged at tlie time of his recent unfortunate accident.