BOXING.

BANTAM WEIGHT CHAMPIONfc>mr. S. GUNN WINNER. A veritable boom in boxing has set in, in New Zealand, and the Timaru Boxing Association, one of the liveliest institutions in the dominion, has kept pace with the onward movement. Last, evening before an excellent attendance, a first-class programme was submitted ior the delectation of local patrons of the hempen square. The preliminaries were good, and served as an admirable ap-petiser for the "star" event of the evening. In winning the Bantam Weight- professional championship of New Zealand. • Harry Giuiu (Timaru) has realised the most ardent hopes or ins many supporters. He gave a sterling exhibition, and should do considerably better in the Mecca of boxing in the Southern Hemisphere—Australia- 9 Ih'e officials were: —Judges, Messrs E. 6. Kerr and J. Inirie; timekeepers, Messrs A. Huston and R. R. Randle, official announcer, Mr F. C. Watson; referee, Mr J. Kilmartin (Dnnedin), 'ion. secretary. Mr E. M. Arthur. PEELDIINAEIES.

The opening bout was between C. ' Barrie (Timaru) Tst ISlbs, and AV. Weston (Timaru) Tst 13lb. bantam weight. Both were equally aggressive in the opening round, Weston, if tuy, being the cleverer of the two. tmt the round was quiet. The second round opened more promisingly, Barry 'showing, to better advantage, and taking the iight to his opponent. The final round was brisk, Weston doing most' >c the leading, displaying good defence plenty initiative on attack, the decision In his favour being loudly applauded. The succeeding 'oout was » fly weight«.<mtest between A. WYberg (Timaru), "st 21bs, and_A. G. ikmis ■ (TiniaTui, »a' u olbs. Ennis, who was considerably Ihn smaller of the two, displayed remarkable ringcraft for a lad of his age, tmd had a good score of points in his favour at the end of the roundFighting beautifully with both hands, Ennis maintained his earlier lead, and was loudly cheered for his remarkable exposition of the art. His left.connected frequently, and only one fighter was in the picture. Wyberg had no tight left »-t the end of this round, and wisely surrendered. The win of Funis was one of the most- popular victories seen in a local ring, a brilliantfuture being predicted for him. Next came R. Hewitt (Timaru) Sst lOlbs, and E. F. Barrar (Timaru), 9st ilbs, in a special six two-minute round bout (lightweight). Hewitt- did ail the leading at the opening, and Barrar appearea hopelessly out of it. The round was tamo Hewitt again led in auothei*very poor round. The third commenced much better, due to the fans* advice to_ "fight," and Hewitt outpointed his opponent in every direatiou. inflicting considerable punishment. In the fourth round Barrar was o'Svionsly done, and Hewitt rocked him bddly -with a left swing. Barrar did a little better to the finish. Round five

was devoid of any particular incident. The iiual venture was embarked on quietly, Barrar who was hopelessly behind on points looked for an opening to win, but found Hewitt impassable and theie vas only ou© verdict—that tor Hewitt. THE .PROFESSIONAL TITLE. .Ait.tr the interval all interest was centred ou the meeting between 11. Ounn (£iuuu-u) chaiienger, Bst 4lbs, and L. C*mn (Wangaami) Holder, Sst bibs, lor Hie professional bantam. weighs cxuunpionsiup ox i\ew Zealand. This w-us Uniui's iiisL apx>ear'anca aa a. proiessiocai, he previously having heiu. amateur te-itner championanip or the dominion, i'ue light, a. proiaesional one, was t-ho first- hold in liniaru smee.. j. JUadbiyy deieated V. eStewarti at the Ulyiiipia in 1914.

Round 1. —Cann early opened out, and worthily upheld his reputation. He was particularly good in infighting, and displayed expert ringcraft. His footwork was excellent. Gunn. connected well on two or three occasions, and cue round finished fairly even. Round 2. —The lighting opened bristly, both mixing it ireely and lighting cleverly and cleanly. Gunn showed to better advantage this round, evading several vicious swings ihat would nave terminated the contest.

Round 3. —Infighting was again prevalent, in which both were equally matched. Gunn showed up very markedly in the earlier stages, driving his opponent to the ropes with snarp, snappy lefts. Cann returned the compliment shortly afterwards, ami the lads went to their corners on practically an even basis of points. Round 4. —Gunn opened up early with his left again, and repeated the dose shortly afterwards. Cann stood up to the attack, and immediately e\ ened the scoring with superb work with both hands, .his experience was stanal him in good stead. Round 5. —Gunn commenced strongly, with Cann ever on th Q alert. The I command of the referee to "break" | was getting monotonous. Gunn nicde Cann miss very badly on several occaI sions, and put over a hefty rigat eros* I towards th© finish of the round. Gunn I had the round.

Round 6. —Cairn showered a perfect fusilade of blows at the start, but Gunn was not deterred from iraking a fast recovery. Gunn continued to score with his left, but Cann had the best of the infighting. A willing exchange at the finish completed a fairly even encounter.

Round 7.- —Both sparred for an opening, until file local man again produced his chief weapon of attack—the left. Cann brought left and right quickly into play, but the effect vas little, Gunn taking them when back-moving to the visitor's corner. Gunn carried the fight to the end of the round. Round 8. —Cann commenced with several telling blows to the body, and in the clinches materially added to his score. Cann. was particularly aggressive, and had the round in his favour. Round 9.—Gunn. started the scoring with the left again, but Cann retaliated with his right to the head and strong punches with both gloves to the body. He scored frequently in the clinches, and finished up considerably fresher than his opponent.

Round 10. —The champion sefc off ; desperately at the- opening, and ss.\ erely finished the local man, particularly : to tho body. Cann showed some dis-, pleasure in breaking away, ind the ; crowd evidenced its disapproval. Mat- i tors were quiet at the finish, vith Gunn siightlv in the lead. i Round 11.—Brisk exchanges signalled i the opening, Gunn forcing the j>i ce and i putting Cann to the ropes. Cann s< on ! got busv again, and rattled homo seve- ; ral hard right arm jolts to the jaw. : He maintained the attack to the iu.isn, : with Gunu taking and returning ah he

received. Round 12—Both were strong at tho opening. Cann swinging his right twice in quick succession. He continued strong in infighting, but was cautioned lor holding. It was most obvious. Round 13.—Tho "devil's" round opened with the challenger on tho aggressive. He made tho holder lr.iss badly by clever footwork, but was

::><}.' ''..tv-i'vi. -Aii'a a ii---;cy lets to rile head. Cann swung viciously twice in succession, but Gunn was too clever. There was not a great deal of difference at the conclusion.

Round 14.—Tlie Wnnga.uui representative commenced the scoring again, showing perfect * versatility; hut Gunn was ;iot out of it, and went strongly after his opponent. Round lo.—Gunn, with the margin of points in his favour, quickly assumed the" aggressive. Ho neatly connected with the right to his opponent's head, and followed with clean arm .work at short range. Cann apparently realised that lie was behind on points and tried hard with vicious swinging and Ufpercuts to effect a victory. Gunn was too elusive, and Referee Kilmartin's decision in favour of Gunn was greeted with deafening cheers. Gunn being carried shoulder-high to his dressing room, while tlie ex-champion -was accorded an equally enthusiastic reception for his brilliant exliibition. The great success of a keen evening's sport was undoubtedly largely due to }lr K. M. Arthur, recognised as one of the keenest secretaries of boxing organisation in New Zealand. He put in a tremendous amount of work in arranging tlie tourney, and his skilful organisation was fully evidenced last . evening.