Harry Laing
Name: Harry Laing
Alias: The Maori
Hometown: Wanganui, New Zealand
Birthplace: Blenheim, New Zealand
Died: 1894-04-12 (Age:32)
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 175cm
Pro Boxer: Record
Trainer: Tom Taylor
Excerpt from an article based on an interview with Laing following his fight with Cunningham: "..Laing, a half Maori, stands about 5' 11", hits well with both hands...He's not a scientific fighter though he guards his head carefully and well; but he is very smart on his feet and gets back very quickly...He has had all his training for the ring in rough and tumble fights..."
October 9, 1893 Laing had signed articles to box 20 rounds at Boggo Road Theatre, South Brisbane with a North Brisbane blacksmith called "The Infant" said to be 25 years of age, stand six feet four inches and carry 16st in weight. When legal proceedings were threatened against the match "The Infant" backed out.
Laing was billed to box Austin Doherty six rounds in Gympie on October 11, 1893. No results are available.
Mick Dooley and Harry Laing signed articles to box 10 rounds before the Australian Gymnastic Club in Sydney on Nov 27, 1893. Dooley backed out saying he was afraid the authorities would stop the contest, but sportswriters of the day said this would not be the case for a limited rounds contest at a legitimate club like The Australian G.C.
April 13, 1894: Death of a Boxer
HARRY LAING KILLED BY A TRAIN
Auckland, Thursday. — Harry Laing, the well-known heavyweight boxer, was killed to-day by a train. He was in the act of getting out of a moving train at Firdell, near Wanganui, when he missed his footing and fell under the carriage. Before the train could be stopped several of the wheels of the carriages passed over his body, and when extricated he was found to be mangled in a shocking manner. Both legs were almost severed from the body, and as speedily as possible Laing was taken to the nearest hospital, where his legs were amputated. He, however, gradually sank, and died soon after the accident.(He was survived by a wife and daughter.)