Torpedo Billy Murphy

Thomas William Murphy (3 November 1863 – 26 July 1939) was a boxer from New Zealand. An early World Featherweight Champion, he was the first world champion in any class to come from New Zealand. In his early career, he took the New Zealand Lightweight Championship.

Billy Murphy
Murphy with National Police Gazette Belt
Statistics
Real nameThomas William Murphy
Nickname(s)Torpedo Billy Murphy
Australian Billy Murphy
Weight(s)Featherweight
Height5 ft 6.5 in (1.69 m)
NationalityNew Zealand
Born(1863-11-03)3 November 1863
Auckland, New Zealand
Died26 July 1939(1939-07-26) (aged 75)
Auckland, New Zealand
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights220
Wins100
Wins by KO76
Losses53
Draws27
No contests40

He was a prolific boxer who fought more than two hundred fights, with a few going as long as thirty and forty rounds. He was known more for a powerful punch than an exceptional defense.[1]

Early life and career

Murphy was born in Auckland and began boxing there before continuing his career in Australia. He called his deadly right, his "Torpedo" punch, which also referred to his ring name.

New Zealand Light champ, 1887

On 26 July 1887, he defeated Richard Long in a seventh round knockout at the Opera House in Wellington, New Zealand. The fight was billed as the Lightweight Championship of New Zealand. On 20 August 1887, he defeated John Scotty Fades at the Princess Theatre in a second round knockout at Dunedin, New Zealand, defending his title as Lightweight Champion of New Zealand. On 24 November 1887, he lost a New Zealand Lightweight Title bout with a sixth round disqualification against Ike Fake in Wellington, New Zealand.[2]

He defended the title successfully on 23 June and 1 July 1888 against Joe Molloy and Edward Jones in two fifth round knockouts. These bouts demonstrated the strong punch he had in his early career. In a fourth round knockout, he defeated Jim Saxon in another New Zealand Lightweight Title match on 1 September 1888. On 2 February 1889, he lost to Tommy Williams at the Princess Theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand, in a fourth round disqualification, in what was billed as another New Zealand Lightweight Championship.[2]

Coming to America, 1889

He arrived in San Francisco in June 1889 aboard the steamer Zelandia.[2]

In his first fight in America, he defeated Johnny Griffin, an exceptionally talented featherweight, in a third round knockout at the California Club in San Francisco on 12 July 1889.

In an important bout on 30 July 1889, he fought a twenty-seven round draw against English champion Frank Murphy in what was billed as a World 120 pound title match. The bout was fought at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco for a purse of $1,800 dollars.[2][3] In a close fight, Frank Murphy was down twice in the fifteenth, but had the better of the seventeenth through nineteenth rounds. Frank Murphy was down again in the twenty-second round. The fight was stopped by Referee Cook with the help of the police in the twenty-seventh because neither men appeared to be able to continue the match. Upon examination in their dressing rooms after the match, Billy Murphy was found to have a fracture of the radius of his left arm, and Frank Murphy's wrist was swollen and bruised. Torpedo Billy paused in his boxing schedule for five months to recover.[4] From the twentieth through the final twenty-seventh round, both men appeared fatigued and did far less fighting than the first twenty rounds.[5]

World Feather Champion, 1890
Ike Weir, World Featherweight Champion

Murphey won the World Featherweight title on 13 January 1890 defeating Ike Weir in a fourteenth round knockout at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, California. In the final round, possibly to show his dominance and contempt for his opponent, Weir did a backflip. Murphey immediately unloaded a serious right as Weir landed, known as the "torpedo punch", which resulted in a knockdown that ended the bout after a count of ten.[6] The purse for the fight was $2,250.

According to one source, Weir, who led through much of the bout, was down repeatedly in the thirteenth round when Murphy rallied.[7] In a rematch, on 2 November 1893, Murphy lost to Weir in a sixth round knockout, which was one of the high points of Weir's late career. In the fourth round, Weir knocked Murphy entirely out of the ring. Weir successfully used his clever ducking and bobbing as a defense in the fight, avoiding Murphy's powerful right which had plagued him in their earlier title bout.[8]

Losing World Feather title, 1890

After the match with Weir, he defeated Tommy Warren, Tommy White, and Eddie Greaney before returning to Australia in September 1890. Murphy was considered to have forfeited his title because he left the United States to return to New Zealand. However, Australia and New Zealand continued to recognize his title until he lost to Albert Griffiths known as Young Griffo in Sydney on 2 September 1890. The bout was recognized as a Featherweight World Title match by Great Britain and Australia. Griffo was knocked down twice in the first three rounds. The fight ended in the fifteenth when a right to Murphy's jaw led him to throw off his gloves and concede the fight.[9]

He would lose to Young Griffo again in 22 July 1891 at the Sydney Amateur Athletic Club in another World Featherweight Title match. The bout would end in a twenty-second round disqualification against Murphy.[3]

Boxing after return to the United States

He returned to the United States in 1892 to continue boxing. On 6 February 1892, he was knocked out by Johnny Griffith in a 122 pound Featherweight Title match in Brooklyn, New York. Both boxers complained of injuries to their hands, not uncommon considering the thin gloves used in most bouts.[2]

On 31 May 1892, he fought Johnny Murphy in San Francisco in a forty round no contest bout that was billed as a 122 pound World Championship. On 28 December 1892, in San Francisco, he had a rematch with Tommy White, whom he had defeated two years earlier, that ended in an epic thirty-four round no contest. The bout was for a $2,500 purse. In the fifteenth, White lost his momentum and was dropped by Murphy in the following round. From the seventeenth, to the twenty-ninth little fighting was done, both boxers to exhausted or disinclined to give or receive much punishment. The referee said he would allow four more rounds, but stopped the fight on the thirty-fourth as there was too little boxing taking place. No blows were landed in the last eleven rounds, and some in the crowd suspected the fight was fixed. All betting was declared off by the third round by the referee.[10]

In an unusual match on 16 December 1893, in Patterson, New Jersey, with George Dixon, Murphy was disqualified in the third round for a blow to the referee. Dixon had the best of the first round. Trying to break the fighters from clinching in the third round, Murphy hit Referee James Stoddard with a right in the face either accidentally or distracted by the heat of the moment, and infuriated, Stoddard retaliated with two quick blows that landed Murphy under the ropes. The house became wild, but the police managed to keep order. Some papers described the fight as a knockout, though the referee, not Dixon put Murphy on the mat.[11]

Losses to champions Dixon, Santry, Forbes, and Harris

He fought George Dixon on 22 January 1897 at the Broadway Athletic Club in Brooklyn, losing in a six round knockout. The fight was billed as a 120 pound World Featherweight Title match. Manager Sam Fitzpatrick had predicted that Dixon would have the edge in the bout.[2][12] As the bout was with a former World Champion, it attracted considerable interest, and Dixon led the betting by odds of 2 to 1. Murphy held his own for the first three rounds, but looked fatigued by the last three, while Dixon remained fresh and unfazed by the blows of Murphy. Murphy was knocked down and out in the sixth by a strong left to the stomach.[13]

On 26 November 1898, he was knocked out by a rising Chicago star, Eddie Santry, who would take the World Featherweight Championship, according to most sources, the following year against English boxer Ben Jordan. Murphy's knockout loss to Santry took place in the fourth round at the Commercial Athletic Club in St. Louis, Missouri.

On 29 April 1899, he lost in a four round knockout to future World Bantamweight Champion Harry Forbes at the Chicago Athletic Association in Chicago, Illinois. On 19 May 1899, he lost to 1901 World Bantamweight Champion Harry Harris in a fourth round knockout at the Star Theatre in Chicago.

Return to Australia in 1904

In 1904, he returned to Australia and continued his boxing career, fighting around fifteen additional bouts. His last battle was with Jimmy Ross in Auckland in 1906.

He died at his home in Auckland, New Zealand, on 26 July 1939 at the age of 75.[3]

Recognition

Murphy was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.


Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
202 fights 91 wins 51 losses
By knockout 76 30
By decision 15 21
Draws 23
No contests 37
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
135 Loss 69–27–11 (28) Young Griffo PTS 8 May 07, 1894 Casino, Boston
134 Win 69–26–11 (28) Peter Manning KO 4 (?) Apr 23, 1894 Casino, Boston
133 Win 68–26–11 (28) Johnny Breslin KO 2 (?) Feb 19, 1894 Lafayette A.C., Boston
132 Win 67–26–11 (28) Jack Woods TKO 2 (?) Dec 22, 1893 American A.C., Boston
131 Loss 66–26–11 (28) George Dixon DQ 3 (?) Dec 15, 1893 People's Theater, Paterson
130 Loss 66–25–11 (28) Ed Gorman KO 9 (?) Nov 07, 1893 Grand Opera House, Rock Springs
129 Loss 66–24–11 (28) Ike Weir KO 6 (?) Nov 02, 1893 Cribb's Club, Boston
128 Win 66–23–11 (28) Jack Collins TKO 2 (?) Sep 23, 1893 Union A.C., Brooklyn
127 Win 65–23–11 (28) Jack Grace TKO 3 (?) Sep 22, 1893 Clermont Avenue Rink, Brooklyn
126 Draw 64–23–11 (28) Jack Downey PTS 4 Aug 31, 1893 Passaic A.C., Passaic
125 Draw 64–23–10 (28) Dick Listman PTS 4 Jul 17, 1893 Newark
124 Loss 64–23–9 (28) Jerry Barnett PTS 4 Apr 29, 1893 Madison Square Garden, New York
123 Loss 64–22–9 (28) Johnny Griffin KO 7 (20) Feb 06, 1893 Coney Island A.C., Brooklyn
122 NC 64–21–9 (28) Tommy White NC 34 (?) Dec 28, 1892 Pacific A.C., San Francisco
121 Loss 64–21–9 (27) Tommy Spider Kelly PTS 6 Jul 25, 1892 New York
120 NC 64–20–9 (27) Johnny Murphy NC 40 (?) May 31, 1892 Pacific A.C., San Francisco
119 Loss 64–20–9 (26) Jim Barron KO 3 (20) Feb 16, 1892 Golden Gate A.C., Sydney
118 Win 64–19–9 (26) Chris Cunningham KO 3 (4) Dec 26, 1891 Olympic Hall, Newcastle
117 NC 63–19–9 (26) Jim Burge NC 29 (30) Nov 13, 1891 Olympic Hall, Newcastle
116 Win 63–19–9 (25) Bill Jennings KO 2 (20) Oct 19, 1891 Sydney Amateur Gymnastic Club, Sydney
115 Loss 62–19–9 (25) Young Griffo DQ 22 (30) Jul 22, 1891 Sydney Amateur Gymnastic Club, Sydney For lineal featherweight title
114 Loss 62–18–9 (25) Artie Tully PTS 8 May 04, 1891 Crystal Palace, Richmond, Melbourne
113 Win 62–17–9 (25) Nipper Peakes KO 6 (?) Mar 23, 1891 Crystal Palace,Richmond, Melbourne
112 Loss 61–17–9 (25) Jim Burge KO 30 (40) Jan 19, 1891 Crystal Palace,Richmond, Melbourne
111 Win 61–16–9 (25) Pat Carroll KO 4 (20) Dec 08, 1890 Crystal Palace,Richmond, Melbourne
110 Win 60–16–9 (25) Harry Dummy Mace PTS 8 Nov 10, 1890 Crystal Palace,Richmond, Melbourne
109 Draw 59–16–9 (25) Nipper Peakes PTS 10 Oct 25, 1890 Crystal Palace, Richmond, Melbourne
108 Loss 59–16–8 (25) Young Griffo RTD 15 (?) Sep 02, 1890 Sydney Amateur Gymnastic Club, Sydney Lost lineal featherweight title
107 Win 59–15–8 (25) Eddie Greaney PTS 4 May 29, 1890 Occidental A.C., San Francisco
106 Win 58–15–8 (25) Tommy Warren KO 4 (?) Mar 14, 1890 Occidental A.C., San Francisco Retained lineal featherweight title
105 Win 57–15–8 (25) Ike Weir KO 14 (30) Jan 31, 1890 California A.C., San Francisco Won lineal featherweight title
104 Draw 56–15–8 (25) Frank Murphy PTS 27 (?) Jul 30, 1889 California A.C., San Francisco Police intervened
103 Win 56–15–7 (25) Johnny Griffin KO 3 (?) Jul 12, 1889 California A.C., San Francisco
102 Win 55–15–7 (25) John Simon KO 1 (4) May 18, 1889 Waite's Hall, Mt Eden, Auckland
101 Win 54–15–7 (25) William Tracey PTS 8 Mar 16, 1889 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
100 Win 53–15–7 (25) Warren KO 6 (10) Mar 16, 1889 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
99 Win 52–15–7 (25) James Smith KO 8 (10) Mar 04, 1889 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
98 Loss 51–15–7 (25) Tommy Williams DQ 4 (?) Feb 02, 1889 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
97 Loss 51–14–7 (25) Young Griffo PTS 4 Dec 10, 1888 Apollo Athletic Hall, Melbourne
96 Loss 51–13–7 (25) Ben Seth KO 6 (8) Nov 26, 1888 Apollo Athletic Hall, Melbourne
95 Win 51–12–7 (25) Jerry Marshall KO 1 (8) Oct 27, 1888 Apollo Athletic Hall, Melbourne
94 Draw 50–12–7 (25) Jack Hall PTS 8 Sep 29, 1888 Apollo Athletic Hall, Melbourne
93 Win 50–12–6 (25) Jim Saxon KO 4 (?) Sep 01, 1888 Foley's Hall, Sydney
92 Win 49–12–6 (25) John Scotty Faddes KO 3 (4) Jul 28, 1888 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
91 Win 48–12–6 (25) Edward Jones KO 5 (?) Jul 01, 1888 Sloan's Theatre, Invercargill
90 Win 47–12–6 (25) Joe Molloy KO 5 (?) Jun 23, 1888 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
89 Loss 46–12–6 (25) Frank Newton DQ 3 (4) May 25, 1888 Theatre Royal, Napier
88 Win 46–11–6 (25) Harry Brown KO 3 (6) May 05, 1888 Flint's Hall, Wairoa
87 Win 45–11–6 (25) William Edwards KO 3 (4) Apr 28, 1888 Theatre Royal, Gisborne
86 Win 44–11–6 (25) Frank Newton TKO 4 (4) Apr 14, 1888 Theatre Royal, Napier
85 Win 43–11–6 (25) Tony Hogan TKO 7 (?) Feb 04, 1888 Gaiety Theatre, Napier
84 Win 42–11–6 (25) James Mannix TKO 3 (?) Jan 28, 1888 Gaiety Theatre, Napier
83 Win 41–11–6 (25) Jerry Ford KO 11 (?) Jan 12, 1888 Princess Theatre, Wellington
82 Win 40–11–6 (25) Roy Brooks KO 1 (4) Jan 09, 1888 Princess Theatre, Wellington
81 Win 39–11–6 (25) Ed Parker KO 3 (4) Jan 09, 1888 Princess Theatre, Wellington
80 Loss 38–11–6 (25) Jack Hall DQ 6 (?) Dec 23, 1887 Princess Theatre, Wellington
79 Loss 38–10–6 (25) Ike Fake DQ 6 (?) Nov 24, 1887 Volunteer Drill Shed, Wellington
78 Win 38–9–6 (25) A 13 Stone Maori KO ? (?) Oct 04, 1887 Gaiety Theatre, Napier
77 Win 37–9–6 (25) Ike Fake TKO 3 (?) Sep 12, 1887 Opera House, Wellington
76 NC 36–9–6 (25) Ed Brooks ND 3 Aug 27, 1887 Oddfellow's Hall, Christchurch
75 Win 36–9–6 (24) John Scotty Faddes KO 2 (?) Aug 20, 1887 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
74 Win 35–9–6 (24) Bill Mitchell KO 4 (?) Aug 13, 1887 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
73 Win 34–9–6 (24) Ed Burgess KO 4 (?) Aug 10, 1887 Princess Theatre, Dunedin
72 NC 33–9–6 (24) Ed Brooks ND 3 Aug 03, 1887 Public Hall, Oamaru
71 Win 33–9–6 (23) Fred Bruce KO 7 (?) Jul 28, 1887 Odd Fellows Hall, Christchurch
70 Win 32–9–6 (23) Richard Allen KO 7 (?) Jul 26, 1887 Opera House, Wellington
69 Loss 31–9–6 (23) Harry Laing KO 3 (4) Jun 06, 1887 Princess Theatre, Wanganui
68 Win 31–8–6 (23) Nat Brooks KO 9 (?) May 21, 1887 Volunteer Drill Shed, Wellington
67 Win 30–8–6 (23) Charlie Taylor KO 12 (?) Apr 27, 1887 Agricultural Hall, Auckland
66 Loss 29–8–6 (23) Young Mitchell KO 5 (?) Mar 14, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
65 Win 29–7–6 (23) Will Brummy Fuller KO 13 (?) Feb 23, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
64 Draw 28–7–6 (23) Bill Burgess PTS 36 (?) Feb 19, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
63 NC 28–7–5 (23) Bill Burgess ND 4 Feb 15, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
62 Win 28–7–5 (22) George Mullholland PTS 4 Feb 05, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
61 Win 27–7–5 (22) J Pennington KO 3 (?) Jan 26, 1887 Parramatta, Sydney
60 Win 26–7–5 (22) Sam Stewart KO 18 (?) Jan 24, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
59 NC 25–7–5 (22) Stevens ND 4 Jan 15, 1887 Foley's Hall, Sydney
58 Win 25–7–5 (21) Bill Scott KO 2 (?) Dec 01, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
57 NC 24–7–5 (21) Willie Brummer Fuller ND 4 Nov 27, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
56 NC 24–7–5 (20) George Mullholland ND 4 Nov 13, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
55 Win 24–7–5 (19) Jack Fuller KO 2 (?) Nov 06, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
54 NC 23–7–5 (19) Jack Fuller ND 4 Oct 30, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
53 NC 23–7–5 (18) Jim O'Brien ND 4 Oct 23, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
52 Win 23–7–5 (17) Willie Brummer Fuller KO 14 (?) Oct 04, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
51 NC 22–7–5 (17) Willie Brummer Fuller ND 4 Oct 02, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
50 NC 22–7–5 (16) Willie Brummer Fuller ND 4 Sep 18, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
49 NC 22–7–5 (15) Kelly ND 4 Sep 11, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
48 NC 22–7–5 (14) Will Brummy Fuller ND 4 Sep 04, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
47 Win 22–7–5 (13) Will Brummy Fuller ND 4 Aug 28, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
46 NC 21–7–5 (13) Will Brummy Fuller ND 4 Aug 25, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
45 NC 21–7–5 (12) Sam Stewart ND 4 Aug 21, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
44 Win 21–7–5 (11) Bill Burgess PTS 4 Jul 10, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
43 NC 20–7–5 (11) Will Brummy Fuller ND 4 Jul 10, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
42 Win 20–7–5 (10) Richard Deerfoot Rose KO 5 (6) Jun 26, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
41 NC 19–7–5 (10) Richard Deerfoot Rose ND 4 Jun 19, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
40 Win 19–7–5 (9) Bert Johnstone KO 3 (4) Jun 05, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
39 NC 18–7–5 (9) Richard Deerfoot Rose ND 4 May 29, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
38 Draw 18–7–5 (8) Nipper Peakes PTS 17 (?) May 17, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
37 Loss 18–7–4 (8) Jack Hall KO 2 (?) May 08, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
36 NC 18–6–4 (8) Davis ND 4 May 01, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
35 Win 18–6–4 (7) Frank King KO 1 (?) Mar 27, 1886 Masonic Temple, Sydney
34 NC 17–6–4 (7) Walter ND 6 Mar 20, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
33 Loss 17–6–4 (6) Jack Hall KO 1 (?) Mar 13, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
32 NC 17–5–4 (6) Walter ND 6 Feb 13, 1886 Foley's Hall, Sydney
31 Win 17–5–4 (5) Hobart Jack Gallagher DQ 12 (?) Jan 02, 1886 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
30 Win 16–5–4 (5) Johnny The Strangler KO 8 (?) Dec 23, 1885 Public Hall, Onehunga
29 Win 15–5–4 (5) Jack Nicholson KO 4 (?) Dec 05, 1885 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
28 Win 14–5–4 (5) Andy Dawson KO 2 (?) Oct 31, 1885 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
27 Draw 13–5–4 (5) Dick Sandall PTS 3 Oct 05, 1885 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
26 Draw 13–5–3 (5) Richard Deerfoot Rose PTS 6 Sep 21, 1885 Cook Street Hall, Auckland
25 Draw 13–5–2 (5) William Burns PTS 4 Aug 29, 1885 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
24 NC 13–5–1 (5) Local Amateur ND 2 (?) Aug 29, 1885 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
23 NC 13–5–1 (4) Richard Deerfoot Rose ND 4 Aug 19, 1885 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
22 Loss 13–5–1 (3) Barney Donovan TKO 9 (?) Apr 25, 1885 Theatre Royal, Auckland
21 Win 13–4–1 (3) Charlie Carter KO 3 (?) Mar 13, 1885 Academy of Music, Thames
20 Loss 12–4–1 (3) Barney Donovan TKO 7 (?) Jan 05, 1885 Theatre Royal, Auckland
19 NC 12–3–1 (3) Richard Deerfoot Rose ND 4 Jan 05, 1885 Theatre Royal, Auckland
18 Win 12–3–1 (2) Jim Gardiner KO 3 (?) Aug 01, 1884 Auckland
17 Win 11–3–1 (2) Walter Evans KO 3 (?) Jul 01, 1884 Auckland
16 Win 10–3–1 (2) Joe Guller KO 2 (?) Jun 01, 1884
15 Win 9–3–1 (2) Harry Eccles KO 2 (?) May 24, 1884 Theatre Royal, Auckland
14 NC 8–3–1 (2) Local Amateur ND 4 Mar 22, 1884 Theatre Royal, Auckland
13 Win 8–3–1 (1) Tony Hogan KO 3 (?) Mar 15, 1884 Theatre Royal, Auckland
12 Loss 7–3–1 (1) Tony Hogan DQ 3 (?) Feb 04, 1884 Theatre Royal, Auckland
11 Win 7–2–1 (1) Mick O'Brien KO 4 (?) Jan 09, 1884 Theatre Royal, Auckland
10 Win 6–2–1 (1) Frank Burns KO 25 (?) Jul 14, 1883 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
9 NC 5–2–1 (1) Green ND 4 Jun 09, 1883 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
8 Win 5–2–1 William Burns PTS 4 Dec 04, 1882 Theatre Royal, Auckland
7 Win 4–2–1 Billy Dawson KO 1 (?) May 07, 1882 Auckland Domain, Auckland
6 Draw 3–2–1 Micky Kirby PTS 4 May 05, 1882 Theatre Royal, Auckland
5 Loss 3–2 Hill PTS 4 May 05, 1882 Theatre Royal, Auckland
4 Win 3–1 Sammy Heckles KO 2 (4) May 02, 1882 Theatre Royal, Auckland
3 Win 2–1 Banks PTS 4 Apr 15, 1882 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
2 Loss 1–1 Barney Donovan PTS 4 Apr 15, 1882 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland
1 Win 1–0 Morris PTS 4 Apr 11, 1882 Lorne Street Hall, Auckland

See also
  • List of lineal boxing world champions
  • List of featherweight boxing champions

References
  1. "Ring Magazine: October 1933". boxrec.com.
  2. "Torpedo Billy Murphy". boxrec.com.
  3. "Boxing", The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, pg. 53, 6 August 1939
  4. "Frank and Billy Murphy", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, pg. 8, 31 July 1889
  5. "They Stopped Fighting", The Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, pg. 6, 31 July 1889
  6. "Ike Weir and Billy Murphy the Star Clowns of the Ring", Trenton Evening Times, Trenton, New Jersey, pg. 8, 13 January 1915
  7. "The Spider Done Up", Bismarck Weekly Tribune, Bismarck, North Dakota, pg. 1, 17 January 1890
  8. White, Charley, "Inside the Ring with the Great Fighters", The Evening World, New York, New York, pg. 7, 7 August 1911
  9. "Fighting Featherweights", Los Angeles Herald, Los Angeles, California, pg. 1, 28 September 1890
  10. "Featherweights Do Battle", Lost Angeles Herald, Los Angeles, California, p. 5, 29 December 1892
  11. "Billy Murphy Knocked Out", The New York World, New York, New York, pg. 3, 17 December 1893
  12. "Box To-Night", The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, pg. 6, 22 January 1897
  13. "George Dixon Knocks Out Bully Murphy in Six Rounds", Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky pg. 3, 23 January 1897

Further reading
  • O'Brien, Brian F., Kiwis With Gloves On, published 1960, Reed.
Achievements
Preceded by
Ike Weir		 World Featherweight Champion
13 January – 2 September 1890		 Succeeded by
Young Griffo
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