BIG BOXING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 9877, 26 July 1923, Page 3

BIG BOXING

SOUTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

TOURNAMENT IN ASHBURTON.

LAST NIGHT’S PERFORMANCES. The South Island amateur boxing championship tournament, conducted this year under the management of the Ashburton Athletic Club, was commenced in the Theatre Royal last night before a large attendance, visitors being present from all parts of the South Island. The Ashburton Chib, first of all, is to be complimented' on having

been entrusted with the running of the tournament, and again on the excellent arrangements it has made, especially in view of the comparative poorness of the facilities. The championships are being contested by 34 boxers who have distinguished themselves in the ring, and no fewer than three New 17 - —«icaianu are competing, natiieiy, D: McDonald, Dunedin, lignt-wfeight, E, Parker, Tittlaru, light heavy-weight' and A. McCormick, Ashburton, heavyweight. Among the South Island champions entered, the only competitor last night was T. Griffiths, who gave a strikingly clever display of science, winning his bout handsomely against a * ~" + His was easily the bigger opponex... 0 n tho most scientific performance. .. ~ whole, the nighrs boxing was decidedly good, only a couple of bouts not being up to championship standard. The crowd was highly interested, and a feature was their appreciation of the efforts of all the fighters, particularly the losers, who all received a special round of applause and in some instances cheers. It was noteworthy that each and every bout was clean and fought in splendid spirit. Ashburton’s representation was weakened owing to G. Terris being overweight in tlie class in which he entered, and A. Argyle was indisposed with lmiuenza.

Xlie officials gave every satisfaction, and only on one occasion dm a section in me crowd uisagree witu tlie judges' decision, ine reieree was tue veteran i.nr x. Hi. itooson, of Christchurch, and tlie judges were Messrs li. J. Dillon, i ash burton; \V. Page, Gnristcliurcn j W. J. Moir, Cliristchuicli; T. Henry, Invercargill; A. N. Grigg, Ashburton; R. S. Draper, Christen urpn; and T. lNightingale, Uamaru. A word of praise must be given the committee, and especially tne mdeitigabie hen. secretary, Mr E. J. O’Brien, for the completeness of the arrangements. Prior to the commencement of the tournament last night the President, Mr John Grigg, and Mr H. R. G. McEirea, Chairman of tlie Executive, made brief 'speeches appropriate of the occasion.

Probably the best bouts will be seen to-night, when more of the tried championship class will be in the ring. Details of last night’s bouts are as under:—

Flyweights.

First Round —N. Kieley, Greymouth, 7st 7*lb. v. V. Howell, Christchurch, Tut 01b.—The bout opened in Kieley’s favour, he scoring steadily with his left. Howell was missing badly, but improved in the second round, when he picked up a little with his right. The Greymouth lad was quicker, and was better in defence. There was some good open boxing in the last round, Kieley demonstrating his superiority with both hands. Howell was very plucky and stuck to his man. Kieley won comfortably. Second Round—A. Ennis, Timaru, 7st 91b. v L. Spencer. Invercargill, 7st Blb. Ennis, the bigger boy of the two, did practically all the leading in the first two rounds, but found it hard to make any impression on his clever, and much younger opponent, who covered neatly and showed a goodc all-round defence. Ennis continued to score until the Southland boy changed his tactics, .and in some excedingly clever moves landed several straight lefts to tlie jaw. He was too far beliincl in points, however, and the decision went to Ennis. Both boys, particularly the loser, received a good hearing.

Bantamweights,

First Round.—H. Lloyd, Oamaru, 7st 12-Ilb v. W. Weston, Timaru, 7st 121b.—The latter was the more powerful boxer and Lloyd, though very clever, had to take a fair deal of punishment. Weston was equally good with left and right, and Lloyd showed he had a smart right. Both ducked excellently and displayed fine rmgcrait. The last round saw some solid and clever work, the advantage being with Weston, who was declared the winner. It was a clean fight and Lloyd was .riven a good hearing on the game way he took his gruel. Second Round—T. Griffiths Dunedin, 7st 121 bv. L. Black, Christchurch, Bst lfb.—Griffiths, who h last year s South Island champion, treated the crowd to some skilful work. He made the pace against a taller opponent, and succeeded in breaking through frequently, connecting with both hands. Black scored a little with straight lefts and an occasional right. The champion was excellent on Ins feet and - markably quick. On general rmgcraft he was much the superior. Black could not make use of his longer reach. Griffiths was the winner. Featherweights.

1) Croe, Oamaru, 9st, v. R. 1< ulcher, Dunedin, Bst S.Ub. — This was a hard and willing fight, with little between the pair. Fulcher did most of the lead iuor, and both showed a good smattering of science. A feature of the fight was the extraordinarily clean way hi which the men broke. The Oamaru hoy connected more frequently in the last round than did Ids more active opponent, a very active boxer. I'iilchoi, who won, showed superior 100 tv oik. There was little to choose between them, however. Second round: T. Armstrong, Clmstehureh, Bst llilb, v. G. Rec-d Invercargill, Bst 121b.—Reed opened fiercely, but was quickly steadied by right hooks to the jaw and straight lefts. Reecl s defence weakened, and his retaliatory blows had little sting. He fought tenaeiouslv against a cool, hard hitting, two-handed opponent. In the second round Reed went down for two, but he came hack as game as ever and oven managed to score a little, following up his leads. Armstrong won. .Lightweights.

First round: E. Livingstone, Inver-earo-ill. 9st 131 b, v. T. Harris, Dunedin, 9st 12111). —The gong saved Livingstone in the first round, Harris landing a telling left swing to the point. Harris had had the advantage all the ivay on

account of his height and reach. Livingstone could not get at Harris to, any extent, and had to accept terrible punishment. Livingstone fought game y, nevertheless. The referee stopped the fight in the second round in Harris favour. Harris proved himself a quick and clever boxer. The crowd cheered Livingstone on his gameness. Welterweights.

A. Thompson, Christchurch, 10st 31b, v. A. Wilkinson, Invercargill lOst Jib —This was a very tame fight up till the last round. In the early part there was much sparring and clinching, and at length Wilkinson broke through, and Thompson retaliated with fair success with straight rights. In the last round the Southlander landed repeatedly with his left and right. Thompson, who was far better on his feet and m general ringcraft, scored a little in close work. He got a lucky decision, which met with a mixed reception. Second Round: J. Nelson, Greymouth, lOst 22-31 bv. F E Smitheram, Oamaru, lOst 21b. —The bout opened at high speed, Smitheram being the first to connect. The pair mixed lt freely, the . Greymouth im u Scoring well with strait f 0 the head rignts to & as«a»lot oe Sit adept at dnclnng- t he second with heavy righ* svvn man was roiirßl. hut the Groyrnv- ' -nm was -not at all affected, 'T”I-

steadied up in the third found, jnc* son, who was the cleverer, boxer, got the decision. It was a bout of hard hitting, and humorous incidents. Heavyweights. W. Chaffe, Ashburton, 12st 3|lb v. j, (J. Lcckie, Invercargill, list —-There was little of note in the bout. Leckie was the first to connect, landing a couple to the jaw. Chaffe missed repeatedly, and Leckie made good use of bis left lead. He had a longer reach. Chaffe did not give, a good display, and appeared to be waiting to pull off a knock-out. Meanwhile Leckie went on scoring steadily, occasionally bringing his right into play with good effect. Against Leckie’s reach Chaffe could do nothing. The fight was uninteresting. Leckie was an easy winner.