Billy Graham born in Naenae, New Zealand was the winner of four New Zealand titles at light welterweight, plus an Australasian title and the Jamieson Belt.
Trained by the legendary Dick Dunn, Billy's amateur career was outstanding. Billy didn't turn pro but in the late 1960s Bob Jones wrote the following about young Billy:
| “ | Wellington boxing fans should mark down young Billy Graham in the back of their minds as a future professional champion who will fill their Town Hall, for the Hutt Valley boxer is showing all the signs of following in the footsteps of two post-war greats in Barry Brown and Manuel Santos. At 18, Billy Graham who in the nick of time for the W.B.A, who currently sadly lacking a local hero, is an amateur prospect with all the necessary qualifications to make the grade in the professional ring after perhaps another year in the amateurs. | ” |
When he was 28 his coach told him it was time to stop boxing. Billy left boxing after 18 years in the ring without ever having taken a blow to the head. He now runs the Naenae Boxing Academy in Naenae, New Zealand which has gained recognition from several newspapers[1]