Torpedo Billy Murphy

Thomas William Murphy (3 November 1863 - 26 July 1939 was a boxer from New Zealand. A featherweight, he was the first world champion in any class to come from New Zealand and the only NZ-born champion to date. He was sometimes billed as "Australian Billy Murphy" [ [http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/Ring_Magazine:_October_1933 Ring Magazine: October 1933 - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia ] ]

Murphy was born in Auckland and began boxing there before continuing his career in Australia. He arrived in San Francisco in June 1889 aboard the steamer "Zelandia". [ [http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/Torpedo_Billy_Murphy Torpedo Billy Murphy - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia ] ] .

On 13 January 1890 he fought Irishman Ike Weir in San Francisco to win the world featherweight title. Murphy knowked out Weir in the 14th round, having knocked him down five times in the 13th round. Weir had dominated the early part of the fight.Murphy was considered to have forfeited his title because he left the United States to return to New Zealand. However, Australia and New Zealand continued to recognise his title until he lost to Albert Griffiths in Sydney in September 1890. [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=13/01 Today in History | NZHistory ] ] He later returned to the United States and retired from professional boxing in 1907.

Recognition

Murphy was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 [http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/timeline&new_date=13/01 Today in History | NZHistory ] ]

References