BOXING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10389, 7 May 1925, Page 6

BOXING.

ASHBURTON TOURNEY. SUCCH3SFUL OPENING NIGHT. r The Ashburton Boxing Association} opened its 1925 season in the Theatre Roval last evening. There was a very good attendance, and the tournament passed off most successfully, auguring well for the coming season, which promises to be a profitable one. Among the spectators were the members of tlie Association's juvenile class, which is being instructed by Mr C. Stock at the Association's expense for two montiis, and which has 40 schoolboy members. Throughout the ten bouts staged there was a good class of boxing, and most of the competitors were novices, whose performances, were very creditable The outstanding boxer was a. Emerson, of Christchurch, who, though only U years of age, showed considerable promise. That he had been instructed in a good school was evident from his style, which was- free and clever. He fought twice in the novice lightweight class and won both bouts, receiving an ovation. Temuka boxing schools were well represented and there were boxers from Ashburton, Geraldine and Christchurch. The tournament was well conducted, and there was not a hitch anywhere, bout following bout in rapid succession and the Association officials are to be congratulated on the success ot their opening tourney. The officials were m foUow Messrs W. Page, H. R. O McElrea and J. H. Grigg; referees Messrs H Dillon, J. H. Grigg, and A. N. Gugg, timekeepers, Messrs F. B. Robilliaid and F. P. Cookson. Results were as under: —

Ncvica Featherweight. J. Hopkinson (Temuka), 9.2, v. J. Sellers (Christchurch) 8.9.-The heavier boy was two pounds over-weignt. He went for the bedy in the first round and received several to the head. In the next round there was a fair exchange of blows, Sellers being aggressive and connecting frequently on Sis opponent's head. It was a good round -In the last round Sellers gave aood punishing blows though he missed on occasions, and Hopkinson landed rights and lefts to body and head. Seders got the decision. The specta-. tors cheered the bout. . Final-Sellers v, A May <Chmt-| church) B.ll.—Fraser landed a lot ot sSnS and straight lefts to his opponent's head in the first round, and m the .second he again got in some effective work with both hands.. May was groggy, and Sellers won m the second round

Novice Bantam-weight. J Spillane (Temuka) 7.10 v. H. Fraser (Christchurch) 8.5'.-Fraser was 3lbs over-weight. Spillane ran into a tot of weak stuff at the start and .W£ ed frequently, but the round e d up He tried for an uppercut Iheie was a good deal of holding m the second round, but both got in effecve b.ody snd head, punches, hi the final ££d there «4 a willing nnx-up, lane- scoring heavily with heau i„ with his opponent punches, with n.s n often on the lopes. worn tired at the finish oi a .good bout. Spillane got a popular decsion.

Novice Light-wright. R Hopkinson (Temuka) 9.6 v. H. Emerson (ChristeWch) J.10.-ian^ son carried the first round with fierce hitting, his opponent taking much punishment and replying with wjewg swings and futile uppercuts. He to ecu the whole of the second round boxing cleverly and putting Hopkinsonjw the- ropes time and again. He was warned for hitting over the neck. His free style took him through the fina round in whirlwind fashion and he chased his man all round the ring. At the finish Hopkinson's punches were feeble and Emerson also showed signs of gr tigue. Emerson got the decision. He *i&2£S£&*>-. (Christ-' church) 9.4.—Emerson went into tfte fight with gusto, but Thomas was waiting for him and landed nicely Emerson, however, got home a deadly right and left. Emerson boxed ably witft both hands, all the science being on his part. Thomas was severely warned for hitting at the back of the neck In the final round Thomas strove hard to gain the lead, but Emerson gave more than he took, gaining a popular win.

Open Featherweight. H Wallace, Temuka (Bst 81bs) v. L. Ennis, Ashburton (9st).— Both mixed it for the first round, Ennis connecting to the jaw and his opponent landing solidly on the body. There was some smart work on the part of both, and honours appeared even, though Ennis was warned for holding. The second round saw a good deal of in-fighting, and Ennis grazed an upper-cut. His left was handy, and appeared rather deadly. Wallace feinted effectively. There was no shirking in the third round, and both got home well, Ennis perhaps having a lead, and being warned a second time. Ennis smartly evaded two nasty swings in succession. In the final round they mixed it merrily, and there was a ding-dong go to the finish, Ennis getting the best of it. The decision went to Ennis. Novice Welter. A. Argvle, Ashburton (lOst 61bs) v. J. O'Brien, Geraldine (lOst 9lbs).— O'Brien had a handy style, and _ with long reach landed to the face without receiving much punishment in return. He 1 was warned for keeping his right glove open. Ho smotherd his opponent, whoso* second called off the fight after the first round. Argyle was outpointed all the way. It was his first public appearance.

Open Lightweight. A Wallace, Temuka (lOst) v. R. Moore, Christchurch (9st 71bs).—In the first round Wallace tried several times with a nasty-looking uppsr-out, which failed to connect, and his opponent landed heavily to the body. Both boxed well. While the second round was good, it was uninteresting. The third round was better, and saw considerable exchange., of merit. Mtb taking punishment. Wallace still si "e for an upper-cut. Moore went dc for seven from a nasty right cross under the heart. Wallace won the bout. . , . Light Heavyweight.

C. Pocock, Christthurch (list 51bs) v

T. Manning, Temuka (12st lllbs).— Manning was lllbs overweight, but Pocock agreed to meet him. Pocock did'well with his right, and he got home to the head frequently. Manning was rather awkward, but went into the fray tirelessly, Pocock scoring with a nippy left. In the third round they fought rather than boxed. Manning was not as lit as Pocock, who, in the fourth round dashed into the heavier man and scored repeatedly. 'Manning was verv tired. Pocock won. Welter Weight. A. Thompson, Christchurch (10st 91bs) v. J. Lewis. Ashburton (lOst 71bs).—The first round went through at a merry pace, but there was nothing verv interesting in it. Lewis evaded a good deal of heavy punishment in the second round, but he also took Thompson's straight left to the chin half a dozen times. Thompson's left came into play effectively in the third round, but Lewis appeared to be standing it all well. Lewis evaded a lot of nasty punches in the next round, but did not land much on his opponent.. Thompson hit a lot, but there was not much rower in the blows. In the fifth round Lewis went down for six, and seemed oioo-'>-v fur the rest of the round. Lewis lngtTiite dasli in the final round, and Thompson won.