William Neil Graham (born ) is a New Zealand boxing trainer and former amateur boxer. He won four New Zealand titles at light welterweight, plus an

Australasia Australasia is a region that comprises Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term is used in a number of different contexts, including geopolitically, physiogeographically, philologically, and ecologica ...

n title and the Jamieson Belt. Born in

Naenae Naenae (, occasionally spelled NaeNae) is a suburb of Lower Hutt. It lies on the eastern edge of the floodplain of the Hutt River, four kilometres from the Lower Hutt Central business district. A small tributary of the Hutt, the Waiwhetu Strea ...

, and trained by the legendary Dick Dunn, Graham's amateur career was outstanding. He did not turn pro, but in the late 1960s Bob Jones wrote the following about young Graham: When Graham was 28, his coach told him it was time to stop boxing. Graham left boxing after 18 years in the ring without ever having taken a blow to the head. He now runs the Naenae Boxing Academies in Naenae and Cannons creek, These academies help kids of the street and save their childhoods which has gained recognition from several newspapers.

Honours and awards

In 2011, Graham was named the Local Community Hero of the Year at the New Zealander of the Year awards. In the

2020 Queen's Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours for 2020 are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms of Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II to Orders and decorations of the Commonwealth realms, various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works b ...

, Graham was appointed a

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have ren ...

, for services to youth and the community.

References

External links

Billy GrahamBilly Graham's Naenae Boxing AcademyBilly Graham Naenae Charitable Trust
{{DEFAULTSORT:Graham, Billy Sportspeople from Lower Hutt New Zealand boxing trainers New Zealand male boxers Light-welterweight boxers Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit 1940s births Year of birth uncertain Living people