Another big oak tree of Boxing New Zealand, has fallen, with the passing of Alan Walker on Friday 5th March 2021.

Alan Walker was born into a boxing family, being the youngest son of Bob Walker who was honored in 1972, as a New Zealand Boxing Association Life Member, for his services to the sport.

During the 1950's, Alan joined older brothers Gordon and Keith in combat in the squared ring, registering over one hundred contests before retirement beckoned.

Along with brother Keith, Alan continued his involvement in the sport by qualifying and officiating as a referee and judge. Both men travelled widely in the country building their experience, judging bouts and as the third man in the ring, to earn appointment as International R&J's.

The 1986 Commonwealth Games in Scotland saw Alan appointed as an R&J for the first time. This was followed by a further Commonwealth Games R&J appointment, at the 1990 Auckland Games. where he joined fellow Kiwi R&J's Peter Leonard, Martin Ryan and Dick Gould in officiating duties. Four years later, Alan was again appointed to the R&J panel at the 1994 Commonwealth Games held in British Columbia, Canada.

The undoubted highlight of Alan Walker's R&J career, came at the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, USA, where he joined brother Keith as the two New Zealand Boxing officials appointed to the sports pinnacle event.

In tandem with his R&J contribution to the sport, Alan became involved in the administration of the sport, firstly at provincial level, before being elected to the then NZBA National Executive during the 1980's. 

Alan was later elected to the position of Chairman of the New Zealand Boxing Association, in the mid 1980's, at a time of change in the sport in New Zealand. He led the NZBA for several years with an even hand that allowed the sport to flourish in the country.

Alan along with brother Keith, always had the grassroots of the sport at heart and developed and encouraged the sport of boxing, in their home town of Matamata. During 1994, the Walker brothers brought International amateur boxing to Matamata, staging an International Boxing Tournament between a New Zealand team and Australian and Papua New Guinea international boxers. 

Throughout his life Alan Walker, never faltered in his belief that the sport of boxing made a person a better citizen, than when they entered a gym for the first time.

RIP Alan Walker

Article added: Saturday 06 March 2021