BOXING.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19317, 23 May 1928, Page 12

BOXING.

HEENEY AT BRIGHTON. THREE EXHIBITION ROUNDS. (TOOK OUB OWJf COBSBSPONDSNT.) LONDON, April 19. On Saturday night Tom Heeney appeared at > charity boxing meeting at Brighton. The fixture was arranged by Mr Harry Preston, councillor, sportsman, and philanthropist, in aid of the funds of the Royal Sussex Hospital. A§ a result of the meeting Mr Preston has been able to raise over £3OOO, and undoubtedly the New Zealand champion's presence added considerably to the booking. Heeney is not able to pose nor bo* for exhibition purposes, but he was very goodhumoured in letting the public have a good look at liim in fighting kit. Some sporting writers allege they saw certain improvements in the style and speed of the New Zealand champion since he was here before. These improvements may certainly have taken place, but there was no opportunity of witnessing them in the very brief exhibition bouts at Brighton. Heeney's opponent was Captain Ernest V. Chandler (British amateur middleweight champion, 1913; British amateur heavy-weight champion, 1914; and international heavy-weight champion, U.S.A., 1931). Each of the three rounds lasted only a minute, and most of the time the opponents were at such close quarters as to prevent any real hitting. Certainly, Heeney appeared to be in the finest condition, and he moved splendidly. He had a most enthusiastic reception, and his physical appearance was certainly impressive. He refused the customary chair between bouts, but leaned over the ropes chatting to -someone just the ring. It iB said that Mr Bernard Mortimer, Heeney's manage*, watched every movement in a fever of anxiety lest his charge should catch cold. .. . , n <.* kThere was a really fine 12-round fight between Fred Green (of Blackfmrs) and Ernest Guitman (from Marseilles). They fought hard throughout the twelve rounds, and the winner was in doubt until the end. Green was declared the winner, but it was a close and fine fight. Blind Man Boxes. One of the exhibitions was between Captain Gerald Lowry, a British officer blinded in the war, and a boxing instructor. Sergeant Martin Begley. Captain Lowry had nevor boxod until he lost his sight, but he had evidently taken it up in sheer defiance of his disability. The opponents were two'handsome men standing over six feet, and from all appearances they were having a genuine Se V°o comic boxers set the house in roars of laughter. Whether by design or °. t ' ,er . w, l e ' the elderly referee had not been told of the nature of the item. He stood watching with a face of thunder, but in spite of the absurdities and acrobatics of the fig ll4 ®"' hc ( could not find any dereliction of thelawaof boxing. At the end of the second round he ejaculated, "Not so much tomfoolery. The buffoonery (for which the two performers were doubtless engaged) continued, how ever 7 much to the joy of the spectators and their amusement was greatly mcreasea. when the referee in earnest declared the winner. DISPLAY BY J. MUSSON'S PUPILS. An exhibition of boxing was given by the pupils of Mr J. Musson at the Christchurch Athletic Club last evening, before o large mixed attendance who took a keen in the proceedings. An exceptionally high standard of boxing was displayed, the chief attraction being an exhibition bout between Casey and Pocock, who made the pace fast and, to a certain degree, humorous, Pocock administering a friendly kick to his opponent when the gong went. Some of the younger lads showed promise, and some plucky contests were witnessed. MANDELL RETAINS CHAMPIONSHIP. (UNITED PREB3 ASSOCIATION —BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Received May 22nd, 6.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 21. Sammy Mandell secured a decision over Jimmy MsLarnin at Vancouver after a gruelling contest of fifteen rounds. Mandell thus retains the light-weight championship.—Australian Press Association, United Service.