1962 New Zealand Amateur Boxing Championships

The scene in the Y.M.C.A. stadium on the final night of the New Zealand boxing championships as two title contenders battle it out in the elevated floodlit ring before an estimated crowd of 1200 spectators.

The new Y.M.C.A, stadium on the corner of Roebuck and Childers Roads, Gisborne, was the scene of the 1962 New Zealand Amateur Boxing Championships, in which more than fifty of the country's top boxers were competing for championship honours, and the possibility of representing their country at the forthcoming Empire Games at Perth, Australia.

Held over three days, the championships drew capacity houses to all four of its sessions, many of the spectators coming from widespread parts of the Dominion.

For Gisborne followers, much interest was focussed on the four local entries, Mal Watts, Peter and Paul Lister, and Roy Skuse, all from Cook's Gymnasium, who, without exception, gave very creditable performances. Although three of them were eliminated in the preliminary and semi-final bouts, Paul Lister battled his way to the final, and convincingly defeated M. Santos on points to claim the light welter-weight title.

Mrs Esme Tombleson M.P. opening the championships I from inside the ring. With her are the president I of the N.Z. Boxing Association, Mr Wally Jonasen, and the announcer, Mr Vic Davy.

In the bantamweight final, K. Smith (Auckland) delivers titleholder L. Hunter (otago) a rend blow on the jaw. Hunter retained his title.

Empire games bronze medallist Paddy Donovan, of Hawkes Bay (right), swings a jarring right at C. Young (Auckland), in the lightweight final. Donovan won all his bouts with TKI decisions to take the title, and will probably be New Zealand's main hope at Perth.

The pictures on this page show Gisborne boxer, Paul Lister, fighting his way to victory against three tough opponents to claim the New Zealand light welterweight amateur boxing championship title for 1962.

In his first fight, Lister reversed the decision made against him earlier in the season, when he outclassed Hawkes Bay's Dudley Marshall.

In the semi-final bout against F. McKay of Waimate, Lister received several heavy punches on his eye, causing a nasty cut to open up on his eyebrow, However, he battled courageously on, to take the fight.

In the final, he persistently hammered his opponent, M. Santos of Hamilton, to finish the fight an easy winner.

Returning to his rooms after winning the title, Lister is surrounded by congratulating followers.

The other Gisborne boxers who competed in the championships are pictured in action on this and the following page.

He is pictured in the preliminary bout against F. Satui (Auckland) boring in on his opponent pinned against the ropes.

Roy Skuse, fighting in the middleweight division, was beaten on points in the semi-finals by the champion, J. Henderson, of Southland.

Trainer Dick Cook, poses with his champion, Paul Lister, immediately after winning the title.

Mal Watt (right) lost to Richard Orbell of Hawkes Bay on points in a preliminary bout of the flyweight section, after making a promising showing.

Peter Lister, fighting in the lightweight section, did not have the success of his twin brother, Paul, but fought well in his preliminary bout against C. Young, of Auckland, and was generally considered unlucky to lose on a split decision. He is pictured above delivering his opponent a straight right on the side of the face.

Between rounds, Lister is encouraged by trainer Dick Cook, watched by official second, Robbie Thomson.

At the commencement of the championships, the new president of the Boxing Association, Mr Wally Jonasen, presented five life membership badges. The recipients are, from left: Messrs. Harry Swan, Leo Davy, Jack Heeney, Bill Mason, and Ray Nolan. Mr Jonasen is at right.

Three members of the Gisborne Boxing Association who gave yeoman service throughout the championships are, from top: Kenny O'Connell (assistant time-keeper), George Geddes (official time-keeper), and Vic Davy (announcer).

Auckland featherweight boxer, Tyrer George, fought powerfully and consistently throughout the championships to take the title in his section. He is pictured at blows with D. Rice of Hamilton, in the semi-final bout, which he won with a TKO in the second round.

Former lightweight champion, Dion Murphy, of Christchurch, was soundly beaten by George in the preliminary bout, and was, at one stage, forced through the ropes.

Wellington welterweight, Wally Coe, who has been undefeated for four years, retained his title when he narrowly defeated Auckland's bustling battler, S. Wheeler.

Lightweight champion, Paddy Donovan, and his trainer, Ian Hay, examining their awards after the trophy presentation. Donovan received the Jameson belt for the most scientific boxer.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 100 : October 4, 1962

1962 New Zealand Amateur Boxing Championships