Torpedo Murphy's relative lines up bare-knuckle bouts to raise funds for statue.
The concept of getting your kit off for charity will be taken to new heights early next year, with six professional boxers set to shed their gloves for a fundraiser. Oh, and they're still going to hit each other.
Dillon Kennedy, the great-nephew of lone New Zealand-born world boxing champion Torpedo Billy Murphy, has secured permission to host the first bare-knuckled boxing event in this country for more than 100 years.
Proceeds from the event, to be held at Eden Park's ASB Lounge in February, will go towards the erection of a bronze statue of Murphy in St Mary's Park, Ponsonby - not far from where the former world featherweight champion grew up.
Murphy fought for numerous world titles, eventually defeating Ike Weir with a 14th-round knockout in California in 1890. The annotations in Murphy's 223-fight record make interesting reading. For example: "Referee Stoddard attempted to separate Dixon and Murphy in the 3rd round, and Murphy turned on him. He landed his right on the referee's nose. Stoddard retaliated with two rapid blows in self-defence. Murphy was excited and clinched Stoddard, while he rained blows on the old man's face. Police Captain Bimson stopped the proceedings."
