From the first recorded professional boxing match in New Zealand in 1862 — a bout between Harry Jones and George Barton at Kaiapoi — to the modern fascination with Sonny Bill Williams’ boxing career, the sport has always enjoyed a strong following at local and international levels in this country.

From the days of Bob Fitzsimmons and ‘Torpedo’ Billy Murphy through to David Tua’s quest for a world title, Kiwi boxers have often occupied a significant place in world boxing.  And New Zealand hasn’t escaped attention of some of the world’s international boxing legends: Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and Frank Bruno and others have visited our shores over the years.

Aucklander Dave Cameron has been collecting boxing memorabilia for many years, and now he shares much of his collection, some of it previously unpublished, in a beautifully produced new book, The New Zealand Boxing Scrapbook, written with Paul Lewis.

Cameron has been a huge fan of boxing and wrestling since his childhood at the end of the war. He followed it avidly through newspaper reports at the time, but he says, it was the toss-up between Lofty Blomfield and Joe Louis that confirmed boxing as his favourite. 

The New Zealand Boxing Scrapbook will be published on 2 November.  It is co-written by award-winning sports journalist Paul Lewis.  Lewis has a particular love of boxing and has covered many key fights during his time as a journalist.

The New Zealand Boxing Scrapbook by

NZ Release 2 November 2012  |  RRP $59.99  HB |  Published by HarperCollins