Brian McCleary
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Brian Verdon McCleary (17 January 1897 – 2 July 1978) was a New Zealand
Early life
McCleary was born in
Rugby union
McCleary played for the Christchurch Marist club and then the
Boxing
McCleary began his boxing career as an orthodox heavyweight. After an unbeaten amateur record of 32 fights he turned professional.[3]
On 15 April 1922, McCleary challenged Cyril Whittaker for the
14 August 1923 saw McCleary face his most notable opponent, Tom Heeney, in a challenge for his heavyweight title. McCleary was beaten by technical knockout in the fourteenth round, losing his title to Heeney who would go on to challenge NBA World heavyweight champion Gene Tunney in New York. McCleary challenged for the New Zealand light-heavyweight belt again in 1924, but lost by decision, again to Eddie Parker. [citation needed]
Death
He died 2 July 1978, aged 81, in Martinborough,[2] and was buried at Martinborough Cemetery.[4]
References
- ^ ISBN 9781869710989
- ^ a b c d Lindsay Knight. Brian McCleary, New Zealand All Blacks Player Profiles
- ^ Brian McCleary: Biography BoxRec.com
- ^ "Brian Verdon McCleary". Find A Grave. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
External links
- Article from 2011 in the Dominion Post including a photo