VETERAN BOXER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 204, 29 July 1939, Page 14

VETERAN BOXER

“BILLY” MURPHY DEAD. ONCE A WORLD CHAMPION. A famous old-time boxer, Mr Thomas William (•‘Billy”) Murphy, holder of the world feather-weight championship half a century ago, died in the Auckland Hospital this week, aged 77. The only New Zealand-born boxer to hold a world title at any weight, Mr Murphy had a remarkably long professional career, extending over nearly 20 years. He was born in James .Street, Arcbliill, in March, 1862, and as a youth was apprenticed to a tailor in Shorthand Street, Auckland. His boxing gifts were soon discovered, and after many successes in New Zealand as ah amateur and professional he went to Sydney, working at his trade between matches.

Although never more than Sst 41b, he proved lii.s -worth against much heavier men, even up to welter-weight. His greatest asset was a terrific rightarm hook, and lie was always a hard hitter, winning most of his lights with a knock-out.

In 1889 lie went to America, working his passage as a steward. In San Francisco the following year lie was matched with Iko Weir, “the Belfast Spider,” who was champion of England, for the world featherweight title and the Richard Clay Fox Belt. This light lie considered the hardest of his career, and he won it with a knock-out in the 1-ltli round. After defending his title against Johnny Griffon and Tommy Warren, whom he knocked out iu three and four rounds respectively, ho won the belt outright. He brought it back to New Zealand, and in after years, when in need of money, sold it to a wealthy New York sportsman. FIGHT WITH BROKEN ARM. Before leaving America the New Zealander had a remarkable fight with Frank Murphy, a lightweight. In the second round his opponent ducked, and his right forearm, with the weight of a heavy punch behind it, struck Frank Murphy’s skull. One of the bones was broken, hut he fought on for six more rounds with hie left until the referee discovered his injury and stopped the match.

Having returned to New Zealand, he went to Australia and was beaten by the famous Griffo. In 1892 he accepted a challenge from Weir for a title fight in America. But his; powers had begun to decline, and in the ninth round lie fell out of the ring and was counted out before he could climb back again.

For a number of years he fought in the United States and at the National Sporting Club in London under the nom-de-guerre of “Torpedo Billv,” and in 1905 returned finally to New Zealand. Although then 44 years of age. he had four contests for two wins and a draw, and his last appearance in the ring was at Stratford 80 years ago. In his later years the veteran boxer carried on a elotbes-cleaning business in Auckland, and the sign on his premises read: “Billy Murphy, Champion Fighter of the World, Champion Clothes Cleaner and Pressor of the World.” In 1935 lie was knocked down by a motor car, and while in hospital was mistakenly reported to have died, owing to the death of another patient named Murphy. After a serious illness early this year ho entered tho home of the Little Sisters of tnc Poor.