A Feast For Fans

Boxing fans crowded the Y.M.C.A. Stadium for the finals of New Zealand Senior Amateur Boxing Championships on September 24. All bouts were top class, many of them bringing prolonged applause. Among the many personalities attending was the legendary Tom Heeney who returned to his birthplace for the championships.

M. Gilmore, Manawatu (left), reels from a cracker jack right from J. Stewart, Waikato, who took the light middleweight title.

S. Ayerst, Auckland, prepares to come in with his right against M. Tracey, Hawkes Bay. Ayerst took the welterweight title.

M. Alipapa, Auckland, prepares to bore in with his right against the much favoured W. Graham, Wellington, whom he defeated in the light welterweight match.

In the middleweight bout N. Aitken, Hawkes Bay (left), was ahead on points. In the third round his opponent, L. Tulisi, Auckland, put him out for the count and took the title.

Referee, seconds and Tulisi bend over Aitken as aid is given.

J. Jackson, Auckland (left), defeated C. Dunn, Northern Wairoa, for the heavyweight title

B. Kendall, Canterbury (right), brushes aside a straight left from J. Snook, Hawkes Bay, and connects with one of his own in winning the lightweight event.

The Jamieson Belt for the most scientific boxer went to Jeff Rackley, Nelson. He won the featherweight title from D. Hammond, Auckland (right).

M. Wright, Manawatu (left), stops a straight left from P. Ryan, Taranaki, in the bantamweight event which Ryan won.

Prior to the championships all boxers must weigh in and also undergo a medical examination.

Gisborne boxer Nigel Jones weighs in. At left are Don Thorburn, tournament secretary, Pat Cram and, at right, clerk of the scales, Dan O'Connell.

Dr R. Coates examines local fighter, Bill Koti.

Gisborne boxer, Hilton Vette, undergoes his medical.

Gisborne president, Wally Jonasen, introducing deputy-Mayor Martin Lynch who opened the championships.

Tom Heeney with Jeff Rackley, most scientific boxer

All boxers received a tournament medal. President Jonasen gives Bill Koti his. At centre is announcer Vic Davy.

The New Zealand Boxing Association held its annual general meeting during the tournament. Local delegates were Michael Proudfoot and Don Thorburn. At the meeting local president Wally Jonasen was made New Zealand president for the next year. He was also made a life member of the New Zealand Boxing Association. Retiring president Frank Rose pins on the life-membership badge.

Four life members of the Gisborne Association together at the champs are, from left, Wally Jonasen, Harry Swann, Paul Sceats and Leo Davy.

At the ringside: "Snow" Hansen, Gisborne patron Gordon Wattie, Fred Dominey and Tom Heeney.

Johnny Leckie, featherweight champ of 1926, and Eric Armishaw, welterweight champ of 1927, were at the championships.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 184 : October 8, 1969

A Feast For Fans