By Boxing New Zealand historian, Barry Leabourn

As we lead into the 2026 Boxing New Zealand National Championships, to be held in Whanganui, it seems like a good time to look at the various elite men’s trophies that will be on offer at the National Championships.

First up, we will visit the two oldest senior men's trophies that date back to the 1920s and 1930s respectively.

The Ted Morgan Cup is awarded to the welterweight champion, and was presented by the Wellington Boxing Association, to commemorate Ted Morgan's 1928 Olympic Gold medal in the welterweight division. The cup was first awarded in 1928.

The Ted Morgan Cup is intertwined with the history of the now 65 kilogram division. The first  winner of the welterweight class, was Dick Mayze (Christchurch) in 1908, with the first name engraved on the trophy in 1928 being Phin Stone (Wellington).

Darcy Heeney (Gisborne) was the first three-time winner of the cup from 1937-1939. Greymouth's Graham Finlay repeated the treble in the 1950s with Wally Coe having a vice-like grip on the cup from 1959 until 1964.

Other notable winners include Steve Renwick (Wellington) Trevor Shailer (Manawatu/ Wellington-Hutt Valley) Bowyn Morgan (Canterbury) and Kahukura Bentson (Central Auckland).

The current title holder is Charlie Hickey (Wellington/Hutt Valley), who defeated the defending champion Christian Tiako (Canterbury)  in the 2025 edition of the welterweight title decider, at the Porirua nationals.

Boxing New Zealand welterweight title (Ted Morgan Cup)

First titleholder                - 1908 Dick Mayze (Christchurch)

First name engraved on the Ted Morgan Cup – 1928 Phin Stone (Wellington)

Latest title holder – Charlie Hickey (Wellington-Hutt Valley)

The lightweight prize of the Parisian Cup, was first presented to the Marlborough Boxing Association by the Parisian Neckwear Company based in Auckland -- and subsequently given to the New Zealand Boxing Association, by the Marlborough boxing body, to commemorate the first New Zealand Championships held in the region. The cup was first awarded by the New Zealand Boxing Association in 1933.

The lightweight title dates back to the inaugural championships held in Christchurch in 1902, where Percival Oliver from the host association, was the first title winner. Bob Purdie (Auckland) defeated W Francis (Otago) to be the first to have his name engraved on the Parisian prize.

The names of the lightweight winners of distinction, float off the trophy, from the mists of history. Paddy Donovan, who is the only Kiwi boxer to fight at two Olympic Games, won the title in 1956, 1957, 1959 and 1962 earning the Jameson Belt in 1956, 1959 and 1962.

Future professionals in Dion Murphy and Manny Santos, along with Brian Kendall, Michael Sykes, five-time winner Kalolo Fiaui, Jamie Gardiner and Angus Donaldson, are amongst the outstanding boxers to win the lightweight title.

Thomas Hanford (Canterbury) is the latest name stenciled in silver on the Parisian Cup. The Canterbury pugilist beat fellow team member Edward Richards in the gold nedal fight in Porirua and was awarded the championship’s big prize of the Jameson Belt.

Boxing New Zealand lightweight title (Parisian Cup)

First titleholder – 1902 Percy Olliver (Christchurch)

First name engraved on the Parisian Cup – 1933 Bob Purdie (Auckland)

Latest title holder – 2025 Thomas Hanford (Canterbury)

Cover Photograph: Ted Morgan courtesy of Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Article added: Monday 17 August 2026