The 1988 NZBA National Championships, hosted in Upper Hutt by the Wellington Boxing Association, saw the Jameson Belt/Bill O'Connor Cup double, completed for just the fourth time in thirty years.

The biggest prize at the BNZ Nationals is the Jameson Belt, which is awarded to the most scientific senior male boxer, at each championships. Presented by Dublin distillers John Jameson & Son, in 1927, the names attached to the trophy read like a who's who of New Zealand amateur boxing over the decades.

No less significant is the Bill O'Connor Cup presented to the youngest senior titleholder. The feat of the first winner of the Bill O'Connor Cup will never be beaten. Paddy McNally, was just 14 years of age in 1958, when the National Championships were an all-male open championship.

Canterbury Light Welterweight, Jason Eade, was awarded both the Jameson Belt and the Bill O'Connor Cup, at the presentation of the trophies that wound up a very successful tournament in Upper Hutt.

Six boxers lined up in the light welterweight division at the Upper Hutt Civic Centre. Eade beat Colin Hunia (CNI) who would finish his amateur career with five national crowns, in the quarter final action. 

Far North entrant, Nuka Wood, joined the combat in the semi-finals in defeating future lightweight titleholder, David Wickenden. Eade booked a berth in the final after dispatching Ripa Fala (Manukau).

Boxing fireworks took place after Eade and Wood touched gloves at the start of the light welterweight final. Such was the intensity of the fight, that the Canterbury victor was awarded the Jameson Belt, while Nuka Wood was presented with the Parker Memorial trophy, given to the best losing performance.

A look back in BNZ championship history, tells us that all four featherweight contenders, would earn senior titles in their time in the ring

Manawatu's, Billy Meehan, defeated Shane Samuels (Manukau) with Darren Nicol (CNI) getting past Danny Masterson (Auckland), in their first-up encounters.

Billy Meehan, defeated Darren Nicol on points, to win the seventh of his nine BNZ Featherweight senior titles.

Future 1990 Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist, Andy Creery, raised the Sommerville Cup aloft in triumph after beating Tony Feltham (Hawkes Bay) in the Light Middleweight final. The Waikato representative had an early finish in his quarterfinal fight, with a KO in the second round, before earning a point’s decision victory over Moses Ulai (Manukau).

Light Heavyweight title winner, Raeli Raeli (Manukau) re-inked his credentials in beating Rocky Fou (Wellington), in claiming his fourth successive title.

Manukau heavyweight, William Fale, had his name engraved on the Dewar Shield, after winning a championship title that is littered with the big hitters of our sport.

Canterbury's Michael Bell won back to back titles in the Middleweight ranks, Sililo Figota (Auckland) earned the Welterweight crown, with Johnny Wallace winning two fights by way of stoppage victories to win the Parisian Cup given to the Lightweight champion. 

Article added: Friday 01 August 2025