EDDIE COTTON

“Gun”

June 15, 1926 – June 24, 1990

Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA

I believe Eddie Cotton should be in the New Zealand boxing Hall of Fame because many old timers have told me he was the greatest overseas fighter to visit New Zealand. An old identity from Auckland boxing, Bill Harper always said; “I thought Jimmy Clabby was the best, but this Eddie Cotton has everything.”

Eddie first came to New Zealand in 1960, and a civic reception was held at the Auckland Town Hall. The mayor Mr Dove-Myer Robinson [later to become Sir Dove-Myer] was presented with a set of miniature gloves and declared; “This  is my first opponent, and although I have had many victories in the Town Hall, on this occasion I am throwing in the towel and declaring Eddie the winner.’’

Eddie’s first match here was against George Mahoni, a Tongan boy with a good record, and they drew around 15,000 to Auckland’s Carlaw Park. Eddie won the 12 rounder and the fans wanted more of this classy African American from Seattle, Washington.

A second match with George at Carlaw Park saw Eddie winning by a knockout in the 11^th round.

Johnny Halafihi, another impressive Tongan boy was next to meet Eddie Cotton, and was rated 6^th in the world rankings. Johnny was brought back from England for this match, and although on the short side, he packed a mighty punch in both hands. He was known in Auckland as “The Ice Cream kid” because he loved our tip top ice cream. I had already seen Johnny in action in the late 1950’s and he was one of my favourites. The match at Carlaw Park saw over 15,000 in attendance but the slick moving Cotton managed to keep away from Halafihi’s big punches, and won on points over 12 rounds.  

Mike Holt, a rated light heavyweight from South Africa was next to fight Eddie. The match took place at Wellington’s home of Rugby, Athletic Park. A good crowd like saw Cotton win on points. Mike Holt had already lost a couple to Johnny Halafihi, and was not happy to lose three in a row in New Zealand.  Some of his comments like ‘New Zealand girls are ugly’ did not go down well either.

In 1966 at Carlaw Park, Eddie faced up to Sipa Fine.

Bobby Stininato came back to New Zealand in a hurry when he heard Eddie was returning. He got lots of publicity saying Eddie had been dodging him for years. This paid off and the match was scheduled for an Auckland Boxing Association promotion. Although getting on in years, Eddie had lost none of his skills, and had a few tough moments before he stopped Bobby in the ninth round on a cut eye decision, keeping his New Zealand record to 6 fights. 6 wins.  

I was not in New Zealand for most of Eddie Cotton’s great fights here, but was back in time to see his fight with Bobby Stininato at Carlaw Park in 1967. I met Eddie and his manager at a gym session at the old ABA gym in Waverley Street, near the top of Queen Street and they told me they loved New Zealand and had always been treated well in past visits.

Bobby Stininato settled in Auckland and was a well known figure around the city. He remained in New Zealand for the rest of his life; dying here in September 2013, aged 79.  He was a world rated fighter in his day, and had many fights here.

Eddie Cotton faced many great boxers in his time and was always well respected. Archie Moore, always said Eddie was the uncrowned light – heavyweight champion of the world. This after Archie had beaten Eddie in one of his hardest matches.

His match with Jose Torres should have gone his way but it was obvious the judges were watching a different fight. He travelled to Scotland to fight Chick Calderwood as this was his custom, to beat fighters in their own territory.

Eddie died in 1990, following a second liver transplant, at the young age of 64.

Eddie  Cotton’s record.

81 bouts.  won 56  lost 23  2 draws

Dave Cameron