Another Boxing New Zealand legend, received the final ten-count, when Les Rackley passed away on the 2^nd June 2021 at the grand age of 92 years old.

Les Rackley is entitled to be ranked with the most renowned boxing trainers, over the decades, in a list that contains Tim Tracy, Archie Leckie, Doc Finlay, Dick Dunn and Alan Scaife,

While Les was an ‘old school’ boxing trainer who demanded much from his charges with a no-nonsense approach, his successes were many, with all four of his sons experiencing many outstanding victories in the ring.

Amongst the remarkable deeds of Les junior, Jeff, Dean and Peri Rackley, was the selection of all four brothers for either Olympic or Commonwealth Games teams. Jeff boxed at the 1972 Olympic Games, with Les junior winning a bronze medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, and Dean and Peri both wearing the black singlet at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

Such was Les Rackley’s magic that he twice coached the New Zealand boxing team at the Commonwealth Games, firstly in 1974 in Christchurch, New Zealand, then eight years later in Brisbane, Australia.

The first Rackley brother to put his name in the senior championship ledger, was Jeff, who took the Featherweight title in 1969. The most successful in the number of championship wins of the brothers, he added the Lightweight crown in 1970, Welter in 1971/72 and the Middleweight championship during1975.

At the time of Jeff’s fourth national title in 1972, Les junior put his name on the national championship ledger for the first time in the Middleweight division. The title was the first of three consecutive championships.

Dean is the second youngest brother and annexed the senior Light Heavyweight title in 1978.  The youngest was Peri and a big future was predicted for the youngster. He lived up to expectation and added the Rackley name to the Middleweight championship trophy in 1978 and 1979.

Les Rackley’s coaching success wasn’t confined to just his sons, with Alan McNamara winning the Light Heavyweight championship at the 1984 Nationals, and Barry Galbraith winning a brace of senior titles in 1984 and 1986.

The Joe Thwaites Shield, awarded to the coach of the Jameson Belt winner, has been engraved with Les Rackley’s name on five occasions. Jeff Rackley won the National Championships most scientific senior boxer on three occasions being 1969, 1971, 1972, with Alan McNamara claiming the 1984 edition and gym mate Barry Galbraith being awarded the big prize in 1986.

Les Rackley’s, five Joe Thwaites Shields,  rank second on the all time list, behind Alan Scaife who trained six successive Jameson Belt winners from 1973 to 1978.

Les Rackley Coaching Achievements

Commonwealth Games Coach 1974 Christchurch, New Zealand

                                                  1982 Brisbane, Australia

Olympic Games 1972                           Jeff Rackley (Welterweight)

Commonwealth Games 1974                Les Rackley Jnr (Middleweight)            Bronze Medal

Commonwealth Games 1978                Perry Rackley (Middleweight)

                                                               Dean Rackley (Light Heavyweight)

Jameson Belt – BNZ National Championships Most Scientific Senior Boxer

1969    Gisborne          Featherweight             Jeff Rackley (Nelson)   

1971    Auckland         Welterweight               Jeff Rackley (Nelson)                

1972    Nelson             Welterweight               Jeff Rackley (Nelson)              

1984    Rotorua            L/Heavyweight           Alan McNamara (Nelson)          

1986    Hamilton         Welterweight               Barry Galbraith (Nelson)          

Bill O’Connor Cup - BNZ National Championships Youngest Senior Boxer

1969    Gisborne          Jeff Rackley (Nelson)

1970    Timaru             Jeff Rackley (Nelson)

1972    Nelson             Les Rackley (Nelson)

RIP Les Rackley

Article added: Friday 25 June 2021