Referee Keith Walker under attack at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo: AFP
Two of the most influential people in New Zealand Boxing have stepped down from their administrative roles with the national body.
Long-serving BNZ Chairman Keith Walker and Past President and National Executive member Dr John McKay, have had a huge influence on the direction and success of Boxing New Zealand, over the last half-century.
Boxing New Zealand President Steve Hartley said, "The impact that there two gentlemen have had on our sport cannot be described in just a few words, they are our Kaumatua, and have given our sport guidance and building blocks.
"These two men shaped my knowledge of our sport to a great extent, Keith with his impeccable knowledge of technical and competition requirements, and John with his extensive coaching experience. Without them imparting their knowledge and experience my job would have been almost impossible to undertake."
Keith Walker first tied on gloves as a ten year old and won multiple regional titles before retirement a decade later. John McKay boxed out of the Manawatu township of Fielding and earned selection in a New Zealand National team that toured Australia in 1963.
Retirement from combat in the ring saw Keith Walker and John McKay take different directions in the sport they both loved with a rare passion.
Keith took up refereeing and judging with his first NZBA National Championships appointment at Gisborne in 1969. Appointment as an Olympic R&J, came at the Olympics in Los Angeles during 1984, followed by his well chronicled experiences at Seoul four years later.
After commencing his coaching career in Manawatu, and then in the Waikato, John set up the Northside Boxing Club in the early 1980's. The Auckland North Shore boxing establishment has produced in excess of sixty national titles, with Gary Jago, Danny Masterson and Emmett Gradwell, adding the prestigious Jameson Belt to their national crowns.
The turn of the millennium Olympics in Sydney saw Keith entrusted with the leading position of Technical Operations Manager. Other Olympic appointments on his resume include Atlanta (1996) Beijing (2008) London (2012) and Rio (2016).
Seven World Championships and six Commonwealth Games and numerous overseas tournaments sit in the Waikato residents amazing (sports) CV.
John McKay, held the position Boxing New Zealand National Coach during most of the 1990's, during which time New Zealand boxers enjoyed unparalleled success.
The McKay list of honour includes David Tua's Olympic and World Champions bronze medals, Michael Kenny winning the super heavyweight crown at the hometown Auckland Commonwealth Games in 1990, along with 15 Oceania gold medals and numerous international crowns
Garth da Silva, Kalolo Fiaui, Silolo Figota, Kipa Tasefa, Sam Leuii, Faii Falamoe and Regan Foley, all attained World top ten rankings during McKay's reign.
John McKay is the only national coach to earn appointment to two Olympic Games. David Tua won bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with McKay in his corner, while he accompanied Angus Shelford to the ring in Sydney during 2000.