BEN COMPAIN
BORN, JAN 15, 1947 –
MIDDLEWEIGHT/LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT, 1971 – 1974)
If you were attending a fight card in New Zealand in the 1970s that featured the big-punching Aucklander, Ben Complain it was odds on you were in for an exciting night. Compain’s punching power saved his bacon on more than one occasion throughout his brief, 27-month professional career (December 8th, 1971, to March 12th, 1974). In that very brief period of activity, he racked up twenty fights, won most and lost a few, but irrespective of the result, few of his fights lasted to the final bell. There were thrills and spills a-plenty along the way, Ben was popular, could end a fight−and often did−with one punch and likewise could be tipped over himself. Not a great boxer, but an exciting one to watch. Ben was one of those performers who stays with you in the recesses of your mind over the years.
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The precise number of amateur fights Ben fought has not been possible to ascertain. The highlight no doubt was Oct 23, 1971, in the YMCA, Auckland when he won the NZ Amateur Middleweight title KO 2 beating Komisi Sopo in the final. His sole previous appearance at the National Championships was 1966 in Rotorua where he lost in the semi-final of the featherweight division RSC 3 against Westport’s Barry Cummings. In August 1971, prior to winning the National title Ben had fought a spirited fight against Hawkes Bay’s Nigel Aitken at light heavyweight over six rounds. Aitken’s superior boxing skills won him the fight held in the Makaraka Hall, Gisborne, but not before he had felt the weight of some of Ben’s heavy right hands. At one point in the fight Ben had been knocked clean through the ropes, he managed to scramble back in time to beat the count. Aitken also went onto win a national title that year, at light heavyweight.
Compain joined the paid ranks under manager Alan Page and trainer Tommy Rudolph. No patsies for Ben, his first professional outing (December 8th, 1971) was a real fight as he faced-off against the highly-rated and vastly more experienced West Coaster, Billy Bell in Wellington’s Town Hall. Bell had compiled a pro record of 11–1–2 from his 14 bouts, 5 of his wins coming via the short route. All Bell’s fights had been in Australia. Starting with the Compain fight he ran off 7 consecutive fights in NZ then returned to Australia to finish out his career. He retired in June 1974 with a career record of 24 Bouts and a final tally of 19–2–3.
Compain had Bell on the canvas within twenty seconds of a wild & furious opening round. The West Coaster was in a bad way when he returned to his corner at the end of the first. Billy worked his way back into the fight over the next two rounds & returned the favour, knocking Compain down before finally stopping him in the 4th round. Bell v Compain was one of, if not the most exciting pro fights in NZ that year. Ben Compain certainly raised a few eyebrows in the Capitol City’s Town Hall that night with his performance.
In 1972, Compain’s first full year in the paid ranks, he had 11 fights (making him the busiest New Zealand professional that year) 9 wins and 2 loses. Eight of his victories came via the short route. His best performance that year an 8-round decision over the hard and durable Reupena Timu Time. His 2 defeats can be put down to unfortunate injuries. On April 13th he dislocated his shoulder in the 4th round against Fijian Jim Vosarawa; the records have recorded this as a KO defeat. Then on December 4th, at the Stanley Street Tennis Courts, in Auckland, in a non-title fight against NZ Light heavyweight Champion Eddie Wulf the referee stopped the contest in the opening round after Ben sustained a badly cut eye.
Compain had seven outings in 1973. He started the year off well with a first-round knockout over the promising Peter Clay at Stanley Street, March 12th . The following month, the much-anticipated rematch with Eddie Wulf again ended badly for Ben when he was KO’d in 8 rounds. Then in July at the YMCA in Auckland, Peter Clay evened the score, when he stopped Compain in the 10th and final round. In Suva on September 15th, he KO’d Sunia Cama in the opening round. Ben’s final fight that year, November 19th at Auckland’s iconic Carlaw Park, saw him outpoint faded veteran Bobby Stininato over 8 rounds.
Compains last fight was at Stanley Street, Feb 13, 1974, against Joe Jackson for the vacant New Zealand Light Heavyweight Title (SPBA version) Jackson proved too strong & far too wily winning via TKO in 8 rounds. For Compain, one of our most exciting fighters, it was the end of the road. He did not fight again, wisely hanging up the gloves for good; finishing with a record of 20 fights 14– 6. He scored 10 wins via the short route (3 in the first round). Of his 6 defeats 3 were by way of KO and 3 by stoppage. Just 4 of his fights went to the final bell, the decision going Ben’s way in all 4.
MP 2023.
If any reader knows the whereabouts of Ben Compain today, please contact sugar-ray@hotmail.com.