Peter Maurice Gilbert (2 May 1950 – 15 July 1976) was a boxer from Whangārei, New Zealand who competed at regional boxing events, primarily in Auckland.[2] In 1974 after Gilbert missed the selection for the Christchurch Commonwealth Games he announced his retirement but then continued back into boxing shortly after.[3][4][5] Before his death, Gilbert won the Northland Regional Final and also won at the Auckland championships in 1972.[6][7] He then competed with Robert Colley but lost. The fight against Colley was rated one of the best of his career.[8][9][10]
.jpg) Gilbert in 1972 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Peter Maurice Gilbert |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Born | 2 May 1950 Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Died | 15 July 1976 (age 26) Noumea, New Caledonia |
| Years active | 1962-1976 |
| Weight | 62.6 kg (138 lb) |
| Spouse | Verena Gilbert |
| Children | 2 |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Boxing |
| Weight class | Welterweight |
| Coached by | Rod Langdon[1] |
In 1974 Gilbert won the top boxing amateur trophy, the Bridgens Cup where he went against Semi Te Patui.[10] Gilbert died in 1976 after a bout which took place in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Career
editGilbert began his career in 1962. He began training in his home town of Whangārei. During his early career he was rated as one of the top two light welterweight boxers in the country.[10] During his career, Gilbert won the Auckland light welterweight title and once the Waikato title. He won the Northland Regional Final and also followed by a win in 1972 at the Auckland championships.[6]
Gilbert was a finalist in trials for the New Zealand team for the 1984 Commonwealth Games but was beaten by his opponent David Jackson. He briefly announced his retirement but then went against Semi Te Patui and won the Bridgens Cup, the top amateur trophy in Auckland. The event was held at Carlaw Park.[10]
Death
editGilbert was invited to fight in Noumea, New Caledonia by the Auckland Boxing Association in 1976.[11] At the time Gilbert was under a mandatory month-long suspension after he was knocked out in a previous fight three weeks prior to the fight in Noumea. Half an hour into his welterweight bout against Lucien Wenice in Noumea on 10 July 1976, Gilbert collapsed.[10] He underwent emergency surgery but died five days after.[12][13]
Personal life
editWhen Gilbert died he was married to his wife Verena. He had two children, Michael and Kim.[10]
Legacy
editIn 1977, a year after Gilbert died, the first memorial tournament for Gilbert was held in Auckland at the Glenora Rugby League Club by the Auckland Boxing Trainers' Association; the Peter Gilbert Memorial Shield was presented to the winner of the tournament.[10] In 1978, the second memorial tournament was held in the Whangārei Town Hall.[14] Since the memorial tournaments, a trophy was dedicated for Gilbert as the Peter Gilbert Trophy for Boxing and Sport.[11][15][16]
References
edit- ^ Heritage collection wdc.recollect.co.nz [dead link]
- ^ "Gilbert pursuing Olympic berth". Sport Northland 1976-02-13. Northland Room Digital Collections. 13 February 1976.
- ^ "Games boxers to make debuts". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "GILBERT HANGS UP HIS GLOVES". Sport Northland 1974-12-27. 1974.
- ^ "Boxer's death leads to suspensions". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Sport Northland 1973-09-21". Northland Room Digital Collections. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "BoxRec: Peter Gilbert".
- ^ "Banned boxer dies after fight". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Boxing heads asked to resign in row over amateur's death". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Sport Northland 1978-10-13". Northland Room Digital Collections. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b "BOXING - Title fight a defence of family pride". NZ Herald. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ kilgallon, CHARLES ANDERSON and steve (9 June 2012). "Cost of boxing brain injuries rockets". Stuff. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Journal of Combative Sport: Boxing Fatalities Data, SvinthJack Broughton". ejmas.com. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "BOXING - Return of trophy adds interest". NZ Herald. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Sporting and Cultural Awards 2022 | News from St Paul's Collegiate School". St Paul’s Collegiate School. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Sport Northland 1980-06-27". Northland Room Digital Collections. Retrieved 17 January 2024.