Joseph Collins (boxer)

Joseph Phillip Collins (4 January 1919 – 2 March 1984) was a New Zealand amateur boxer, who represented his country at the 1938 British Empire Games, and won one national amateur title.

Joseph Collins
Personal information
Full nameJoseph Phillip Collins
Born(1919-01-04)4 January 1919
Foxton, New Zealand
Died2 March 1984(1984-03-02) (aged 65)
New Plymouth, New Zealand
Weight60 kg (133 lb)[1]
Spouse(s)
Sheila Coulton
​
(m. 1945)​
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportAmateur boxing
Achievements and titles
National finalsLightweight champion (1937)

Early life and family

Born at Foxton on 4 January 1919, Collins was the youngest child of Florence Ada Collins (née Le Masurier) and James William John Collins.[2][3] On 10 February 1945, he married Sheila Coulton, and the couple went on to have four children.[3]

Boxing

Collins came to national attention as a boxer when he won the New Zealand amateur lightweight title, representing Manawatu, in 1937.[4] In the final, he defeated R. Davey of Gisborne by a knockout in the first round,[1] and was described as the "find" of the tournament.[5]

He then represented his country in the lightweight division of the boxing at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, and was regarding by many as being New Zealand's best hope of winning a boxing title.[5] However, he was defeated in his opening bout.[5]

Military service

During World War II, Collins served as a private in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, going overseas with the third echelon infantry reinforcements.[6]

Death

Collins died in New Plymouth on 3 March 1984, and was buried at Te Henui Cemetery.[3][7]

References
  1. "Boxing championships". Horowhenua Chronicle. 13 September 1937. p. 3. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  2. "Birth search: registration number 1916/16081". Births, deaths and marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  3. "Joseph Phillip Collins". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  4. "New Zealand amateur boxing champions". Boxing New Zealand. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  5. "Referee's remarks: poor talent at Games". Evening Post. 12 February 1938. p. 22. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  6. "Joseph Phillip Collins". Online Cenotaph. Auckland War Memorial Museum. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  7. "Collins, Joseph Phillip". New Plymouth District Council. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.