'Torpedo Billy' Murphy wins the world featherweight boxing title

By defeating Irishman Ike Weir at San Francisco, Murphy became the first New Zealander to win a world professional boxing title. He is still the only New Zealand-born boxer to have held a world professional title.

Thomas William Murphy (‘Torpedo Billy’) was born in Auckland in 1862 and began boxing as a teenager before moving to Australia. In 1889 he moved to the United States.

Weir dominated the early rounds of the title fight, but the 13th proved unlucky for the Irishman. Murphy knocked him down five times before knocking him out in the 14th.

When Murphy returned to New Zealand he was deemed to have forfeited his title. It continued to be recognised in New Zealand and Australia until he lost to Australian Albert Griffiths in September 1890 in Sydney.

Murphy later returned to the United States. By the time he hung up his gloves in 1907 he had fought 112 times for 65 wins, 32 losses and 15 draws. Murphy became an inaugural member of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.