The weight and size of Kiwi boxers have changed markedly since the end of WW2.

A quick look back at the 1947 National Championships showed that the Flyweight (12) Bantamweight (7) Featherweight (12) and the Lightweight (20) divisions dominated proceedings. At the other end of the weight scale the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight classes attracted just eight entries apiece.

Boxing New Zealand Historian John Mitchell tells us that Lightweight champion Sid Stevens entered the ring, on a record five occasions, to lift aloft the Parisian Cup aloft in triumph.

The Canterbury Boxing Association hosted the 1947 National titles, and within the shadow of the recent war, the tournament was held at the King Edward Barracks 22nd - 24th August 1947.

With twenty entries accepted for the then 9 stone 6Ibs class, there were a number of byes in the first stanza, with eight boxers engaging in the early combat.

Notable names in the lightweight division entries, included Jackie Jenkins who was the defending titleholder and Jameson Belt holder, and Noel Fitzwater who would later win the New Zealand professional welterweight title.

Stevens opened proceedings with a points win over Charles Copestake who hailed from the Naki. The eventual silver medalist Basil Eder received a bye in the Round of 32 contests.

Sid's second fight on day one resulted in an early finish when he knocked out Bill Pemberton from Hamilton. Basil Eder's entrance at the championships saw him get past W McNey, from the Northern Wairoa Association, which was centered around Dargaville.

Quarter-final action resulted in Sid Stevens out-pointing Maurice O'Connor from Wellington. Basil Eder unleashed his arsenal of boxing weapons to KO Mohammed T Khan from Northern Wairoa in round three.

Later on day two, Stevens and Eder continued their quest for a place in the title deciders. Eder continued to unleash his firepower with the referee stopping his fight with Hutt Valleys Jim Bamden.

The Greymouth Evening Star reported that B Eder won his first two fights at the New Zealand Championships, winning the first on points and the second by way of knockout. He made an excellent impression in a strong class.

It was further reported, that there was one major upset being the defeat of the previous year's lightweight champion, J Jenkins, of Auckland. Jenkins had a hard fight in the afternoon (against Alexander Black from Southland) gaining a narrow points victory and in the evening he was decisively beaten by C Kerr (Otago).

The Lightweight semi-final between Sid Stevens and Colin Kerr rewrote Boxing New Zealand history, with the unique outcome still standing to this day. 

While the Manawatu pugilist was awarded the judge's decision the Otago fighter was later awarded the Jameson Belt. Colin Kerr became the only boxer to win the most scientific trophy without winning a respective national title.

The Greymouth Evening Star reported on the 25th September 1947 on the final between their man Basil Eder and Sid Stevens. "B Eder, of Greymouth, after hard fight in the afternoon in the semi-final, fought S Stevens of Manawatu, in the final of the lightweight class, but was knocked out in the second round".

"The early stages were all in favour of Eder, but Stevens kept up a relentless barrage of punches and had his opponent groggy in the second round. Eder went down for a count of seven and was later counted out. It was a fast and willing bout with stamina playing a bigger part than scientific boxing".

A press report after the championships revealed that the1947 New Zealand Boxing Association Championships were hugely successful. The gate take was 1545 pounds with a profit of over One Thousand pounds.

The Canterbury Association Chairman was quoted as saying that the attendance had created a record for any indoor boxing tournament in New Zealand. The previous year’s championship takings in Auckland fell short of one thousand pounds.

New Zealand Boxing Association 1947 Lightweight Championship Final

Sid Stevens defeated Basil Eder KO2

The Road to the Final

Preliminary Round - Sidney Stevens (Manawatu) defeated Charles Copestake (Taranaki) points; Basil Eder (Greymouth) bye

Round of 16 - Sid Stevens defeated Bill Pemberton (Hamilton) TKO2; Basil Eder defeated W McNey (Northern Wairoa) points

Quarterfinals - Sid Stevens defeated Maurice O'Connor (Wellington) points; Basil Eder defeated Mohammed T Khan (Northern Wairoa) KO3

Semifinals - Sid Stevens defeated Colin Kerr (Otago) points; Basil Eder defeated Jim Bamden (Hutt Valley) TKO3

Article added: Tuesday 31 October 2023