PROFESSIONAL BOXING FIGHTS INVOLVING NEW ZEALANDERS 1949
15/1/49 PETONE RECREATION GROUND.
PETONE, NZ.
REFEREE – ALF CLEVERLY
Welterweight Noel Fitzwater W Brian McDonald (Aust) PTS 10
Welterweight Alfie Sands (Aust) W Ian Cruickshank TKO 10 / 10
22/1/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER, NZ.
Welterweight Doug Godward W Limpy Walker (Aust) PTS 10
28/1/49 PETONE RECREATION GROUND.
PETONE, NZ.
REFEREE – ALF CLEVERLY
Welterweight Alfie Sands (Aust) W Ian Cruickshank KO 7 / 10
Welterweight Sonny Hickling W Steve Edwards PTS 10
5/2/49 OPERA HOUSE, GISBORNE, NZ.
Light Heavy Ross Pippett (Aust) W Colin Honey PTS 10
5/2/49 STATE THEATRE, CARTERTON, NZ.
Light Heavy Russ Broughton* W Harry Hanson TKO 8 / 10
9/2/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS, NZ.
Welterweight Doug Godward W Limpy Walker (Aust) PTS 10
19/2/49 PETONE RECREATION GROUND.
PETONE, NZ.
Welterweight Laurie Peterson (Aust) W Clarrie Gordon PTS 12
26/2/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE.
NAPIER, NZ.
Welterweight Clarrie Gordon W Ian Cruickshank PTS 15
(CHAMPION)
(NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP & “TRUTH” BELT)
7/3/49 TOWN HALL, DUNEDIN, NZ.
Welterweight Ian Dickison W Noel Fitzwater KO 6 / 10
19/3/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE.
NAPIER, NZ.
Welterweight Limpy Walker (Aust) W Noel Fitzwater PTS 10
21/3/49 TOWN HALL, DUNEDIN, NZ.
Light Heavy Tommy Downes W Darcy Hoffman KO 6 / 15
(VACANT NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
Welterweight Ian Dickison W Sonny Hickling KO 8 / 10
26/3/49 STATE THEATRE, CATERTON, NZ.
Light Heavy Russ Broughton W Pat Rex McIvor KO 9 / 10
Welterweights Steve Edwards W Noel Fitzwater PTS 8
26/3/49 FRASER PARK, TIMARU, NZ.
Welterweight Doug Godward W Ian Dickison PTS 10
28/3/49 COSSINGTON STREET BATHS
LEICESTER, LEICESTERSHIRE, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL.
Lightweight Jackie Jenkins W Warren Kendall TKO 6 / 8
4/4/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Light Heavy Roy Stevens W Colin Honey TKO 7 / 10
Welterweight Sonny Hickling W Steve Edwards PTS 8
Middleweight Bob Brown W Frank Harris PTS 6
20/4/49 OPERA HOUSE, WANGANUI, NZ.
Middleweight Don Murray W Bob Brown PTS 10
20/4/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
Welterweight Clem Sands (Aust) W Doug Godward TKO 10 / 10
28/4/49 THE STADIUM, LIVERPOOL, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL
Lightweight Jackie Jenkins W Billy McDonald PTS 8
30/4/49 CIVIC THEATRE, INVERCARGILL, NZ.
Welterweight Ian Dickison W Steve Edwards TKO 5 / 10
2/5/49 OPERA HOUSE, PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ.
Light Heavy Barney Clarke W Tommy Downes PTS 10
9/5/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
Welterweight Clarrie Gordon W Clem Sands (Aust) KO 10 / 12
16/5/49 TOWN HALL, DANNEVIRKE, NZ.
Light Heavy Russ Broughton W Frank Endicott (Aust) TKO 7 / 10
16/5/49 TOWN HALL, HAMILTON, NZ.
Welterweight Ian Cruickshank W Frank Harris PTS 10
19/5/49 THE STADIUM, LIVERPOOL, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL.
PROMOTOR: – JOHNNY BEST.
Lightweight Emmett Kenny W Jackie Jenkins PTS 8
23/5/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Welterweight Clem Sands (Aust) W Ian Cruickshank TKO 6 / 12
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Super Light Laurie Rodger W Paddy Waddick TKO 6 / 6
23/5/49 TOWN HALL, DUNEDIN, NZ.
Light Heavy Barney Clarke W Tommy Downes PTS 15
(NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
30/5/49 CIVIC THEATRE, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ.
(REFEREE – HENRY ROBERTSON)
Featherweight Keith Francis (Aust) W Archie Cahill PTS 12
30/5/49 CIVIC THEATRE, INVERCARGILL, NZ.
Welterweight Doug Godward W Ian Dickison PTS 10
6/6/49 OPERA HOUSE, PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ.
Light Heavy Roy Stevens W Barney Clarke PTS 10
6/6/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
Welterweight Francis Joseph (Fiji) W Frank Harris PTS 8
Lightweight Sonny Black W Stan Harris TKO 5 / 10
8/6/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS, NZ.
Light Heavy Tommy Downes W Colin Honey KO 1 / 10
13/6/49 CIVIC THEATRE CHRISTCHURCH, NZ.
Featherweight Keith Francis (Aust) W Lyn Philp KO 4 / 12
20/6/49 OPERA HOUSE, PALMERSTON NORTH, NZ.
Super Feather Syd Stevens W Archie Cahill PTS 10
20/6/49 TOWN HALL, DUNEDIN, NZ.
Welterweight Ian Cruickshank W Bernie Hall (Aust) TKO 7 / 12
Super Welter Max Gardener W Jack Anderson TKO 7 / 10
20/6/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Welterweight Francis Joseph (Fiji) W Sonny Hickling PTS 8
Welterweight Noel Fitzwater W Laurie Rodger PTS 6
Lightweight Paddy Waddick W Sonny Black PTS 6
23/6/49 TOWN HALL, MARTON, NZ.
Light Heavy Colin Honey W Tommy Downes PTS 10
30/6/49 TOWN HALL, HAMILTON, NZ.
Super Light Percy Kelly D Laurie Rodger DRAW 10
11/7/49 TOWN HALL, FEILDING, NZ.
Middleweight Harry Hanson W Peter Cochrane KO 1 / 8
13/7/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS, NZ.
Welterweight Syd Stevens W Paddy Waddick TKO 8 / 10
25/7/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
(REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Middleweight Doug Godward W Harry Hanson KO 4 / 10
Welterweight Francis Joseph (Fiji) W Noel Fitzwater PTS 8
25/7/49 TOWN HALL, WELLINGTON, NZ.
Heavyweight Don Mullett W Tommy Downes KO 1 / 15
(NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
4/8/49 TOWN HALL, MARTON, NZ.
Light Heavy Barney Clarke W Tommy Downes DISQ. 6 / 10
8/8/49 CIVIC THEATRE, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ.
REFEREE – P.G. HAWES.
Welterweight Noel Fitzwater W Francis Joseph PTS 10
8/8/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
Welterweight Doug Godward W Ian Cruickshank TKO 10 / 10
13/8/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER, NZ.
Super Middle Pat Rex McIvor W Don Murray KO 3 / 10
17/8/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS, NZ.
Lightweight Syd Stevens W Archie Cahill TKO 5 / 10
18/8/49 OPERA HOUSE, WANGANUI, NZ.
Light Heavy Roy Stevens W Barney Clarke PTS 15
(NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
20/8/49 TOWN HALL, STRATFORD, NZ.
Heavyweight Jack Boyd W Tommy Downes PTS 10
22/8/49 KING’S HALL, BELLE VUE, MANCHESTER, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL.
Light Heavy Bos Murphy W George Dilkes (UK) PTS 8
29/8/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, DANNEVIRKE, NZ.
Welterweight Noel Fitzwater D Percy Kelly DRAW 10
5/9/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Welterweight George Kapeen (Aust) W Doug Godward KO 8 / 10
Middleweight Phil Wallace W Don Murray KO 4 / 10
5/9/49 MAJESTIC THEATRE, ASHBURTON, NZ.
Middleweight Max Gardener W Trevor Tonks PTS 10
12/9/49 CIVIC THEATRE, CHRISTCHURCH, NZ.
Lightweight Percy Kelly W Archie Cahill KO 11 / 15
(NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
Middleweight Frank Endicott (Aust) W Harry Hanson PTS 8
19/9/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW, X 3.
Welterweight George Kapeen (Aust) W Percy Kelly TKO 5 / 10
Middleweight Phil Wallace W Peter Cochrane PTS 6
Welterweight Francis Joseph (Fiji) W Phil Adams KO 1 / 10
11/10/49 HARRINGAY ARENA, LONDON, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL.
Super Welter Jackie Braddock (UK) W Bos Murphy PTS 8
15/10/49 MINERS HALL, BLACKBALL, NZ.
Middleweight Frank Endicott (Aust) W Trevor Tonks PTS 10
17/10/49 TOWN HALL, AUCKLAND, NZ.
REFEREE – ERIC ARMISHAW.
Welterweight George Kapeen (Aust) W Clarrie Gordon** PTS 10
19/10/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, HASTINGS, NZ.
Lightweight Percy Kelly W Syd Stevens KO 12 / 15
(NEW ZEALAND BOXING ASSOC LIGHT-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
20/10/49 THE STADIUM, LIVERPOOL, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL.
PROMOTOR: – JOHNNY BEST.
REFEREE – DAVE RICHARDS.
Middleweight Willie Whyte (Scotland) W Bos Murphy KO 4 / 8
31/10/49 TOWN HALL, LOWER HUTT, NZ.
Middleweight Frank Endicott (Aust) W Brian Griffin PTS 8
31/10/49 GRANBY HALLS, LEICESTER, UK.
COMMISSION: – BRITISH BOXING BOARD of CONTROL.
Light Heavy Roy Wouters (CANADA) W Bos Murphy DISQ 3 / 8
7/11/49 TOWN HALL, WELLINGTON, NZ.
Super Light Paddy Dowdall*** (Ireland) W Percy Kelly PTS 10
21/11/49 TOWN HALL, BLUFF, NZ.
Welterweight Jack Anderson W Paddy Waddick PTS 10
21/11/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER, NZ.
Lightweight Syd Stevens W Harold Kilroy (Aust) PTS 10
Welterweight Ted Pryor (Aust) W Sonny Hickling TKO 2 / 10
3/12/49 MUNICIPAL THEATRE, NAPIER, NZ.
Bantamweight Lyn Philp W Theo Green Jnr (Aust) PTS 10
5/12/49 TOWN HALL, LOWER HUTT, NZ.
Middleweight Jack O’Leary W Harry Hanson PTS 8
Super Light Percy Kelly W Laurie Rodger KO 4 / 10
17/12/49 TOWN HALL, WAIPUKURAU, NZ.
Lightweight Syd Stevens D Harold Kilroy (Aust) DRAW 10
28/12/49 INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, ROTORUA, NZ.
Super Light Percy Kelly W Syd Stevens PTS 10
29/12/49 TOWN HALL, LOWER HUTT, NZ.
Bantamweight Lyn Philp W Theo Green (Aust) PTS 10
Middleweight Jack O’Leary W Brian Griffin PTS 8
* Russ Broughton’s first pro fight, one of New Zealand’s few undefeated champions.
campaigned from 5/2/1949 to I/12/1951. Pro record 9 bouts, 9 wins, 6 inside the distance.
retired as undefeated NZ light-heavyweight champion.
** Clarrie Gordon following this decision loss to the fine Australian George Kapeen brought the curtain down on his 10-year professional career.
In the amateur ranks a three-time national Champion, Australasian champion, winner of the Jameson Belt in 1934 and at 19 New Zealand’s youngest competitor at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games where he lost a razor thin decision in his first-round bout at featherweight.
He was one of the very few athletes at those Games to be introduced to Adolph Hitler and
certainly, the only one to be given the opportunity to KO the Fuhrer when Hitler invited him to demonstrate his vaunted right cross. Clarrie duly obliged pulling the punch just whiskers short of the Dictator’s chin.
Clarrie turned professional in 1939 and fought many of the leading welterweights of his era on both sides of the Tasman. He retired undefeated NZ welterweight champion with a pro record of 36 bouts, 22 wins, 11 loses and 2 draws. He died on 19 November, 1983 aged 66.
*** Paddy Dowdall one of Ireland’s finest amateurs and the second to be crowned European Champion, winning the featherweight title in his home city of Dublin in 1939. Turned professional Sept,1945 retired Oct, 1954, engaged in 84 bouts, winning 53, losing 26 and drawing 3. Unfortunately, his professional career did not fulfil the promise that he had displayed in the amateur ranks. Paddy died at age 47 on 17th June 1968 after suffering a pulmonary embolism while playing football in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
BREAKDOWN: – 1949
NZ ACTIVE PROFESSIONAL BOXERS’ 40
BOUTS IN NZ 81
BOUTS OVERSEAS 7
TOTAL ROUNDS BOXED 693
NZ PROMOTIONS 62
OVERSEAS PROMOTIONS FEATURING NZ FIGHTERS 7
NZ TITLE FIGHTS 6
NZ’s MOST ACTIVE FIGHTER DURING THE YEAR: – NOEL FITZWATER 9 BOUTS.
BOS MURPHY 4 OVERSEAS.
JACKIE JENKINS 3 OVERSEAS.
VISITORS 15
BOUTS IN NZ FEATURING A VISITING BOXER 31 (38%)
(New Zealand’s population in 1949 was estimated to be a fraction under 1.9 million)
A range of sources have been used in the compilation of the above list. I acknowledge
BOXREC, SPORTS DIGEST, BOXER LIST and various newspapers.
If any errors or omissions are spotted in the above, please email sugar-ray@hotmail.com
so that the above archive can be updated.
MP 2021.