BOXING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 177, 10 May 1935, Page 2

BOXING.

ASHBURTON TOURNAMENT. ' The Ashburton Boxing Association opened its 1985 season last evening, when it staged an amateur tournament. Though the night was, wet and cold, there was a full attendance, and the room was well heated. . Some bright passages were seen in the bouts, but at times the boxing was colourless. All over, the tournament was a good one, and patrons found something to applaud in every bout. It is to be hoped! that the association will stage many more such contests this season. Results of the bouts -were as follow: Fly-weight. J. Brick (Rakaia), 7st 911 b, v. D. J. Penney (Rakaia), 7st 21b.--'Penney had Brick on the run most of the first round, but Brick opened the second round more vigorously. Both lads used their lefts well, and there were some bright passages. The third round was the most strenuous of the three, and both boys were tired after a good bout. Penney won. Bantam-weight. C. Palmer (Christchurch), gst 11 lb, v. A. Copland (Mitcham), Bst 31b. — The initial round was quiet. Palmer, much shorter than the other boy, was most effective close in. They mixed it well, as they also did in the second round, where Copland made good use of his right. The last round was bright from gong to gong, with Copland scoring all through. He won. Light-weight. N. Kerr (Ashburton), 9st 511 b, v. V. Thomas (Christchurch), 9st 81b. —Two quick, boys were here seen in a vigorous and open first round. Kerr hit out well with his left. Thomas was missing at times. Both were very quick with their lefts. Thomas went for his man all out at the start of the second round. Kerr got his left home several times. The last round saw some good mixing, Thomas taking some nasty left smacks on the jaw. Both took every advantage of offerings. Thomas got the decision on his aggressiveness. Welter-weight.

L. Towers ULongbeach), lOst 311 b, v. R. Sommervlile (Ashburton), lOst 31b. —Thomas was the more aggressive in first round, which produced one or two bright passages. Sommerville got home his left in the next round, but also ran into some stinging clouts. Decision, after j an interesting third round, was given as a draw. N. Vessey (Ashburton), lOst 71-lb, v. L. Whearty (Ashburton), lOst 71b. — The first round was well mixed, both boys using their hands to good effect. Whearty’s right and Vessey's left were their most effective hands. Vessey had more in reserve at the end of the second round, and he was getting in some telling smacks at Whearty’s head and face. Whearty got home well with his right. The final round Vessey had it mostly his own way, and the decision went to him.

Middle-weight. A. Argyle. (Ashburton), list 71b, v. V. Cobden (Ashburton), list 81b. —The first round was quiet and open all the way. There was some heavy going in the second round, Cobden getting home hard with bpth hands, while Argyie connected with his left. Cobden was very quick. Both brightened up in the last round, but little* damage was done. Decision went to Cobden. Heavy-weight. R. Raines (Rakaia), list 91b, v. R. Hawke (Ashburton), 12st. —Raines had a big advantage in reach and height, but his opponent kept close up to him and landed effectively, while also taking some severe blows. Raines’s reach stood him in good stead in the second round'. Both mixed it in lively fashion. The third round was the brightest of the bout, Hawke being, perhaps, the most aggressive. Raines won. J. Ward (Ashburton), 12st lib, v. P. Sheehan (Ashburton), list Blb. —There were a few heavy exchanges in the first round, in which Ward took a count of nine, though it was not a serious stoppage. In the second round he took a count up to six, when the gong called a halt, to these pallid hostilities. When he went down in the third round the referee stopped the fight. Officials in connection with the tournament were: Judges, Messrs J. B. Cullen, H. R. C. McElrea and J. H. Grigg; referee, Mr H. D. Johnston; timekeepers, Messrs F. B. Robiiliard and 0. B. Gass; announcer, Mr F. Porter.

WALKER’S EASY VICTORY. LONDON, May 8. Obie Walker, the negro, who easily beat George Cook, the veteran Australian heavy-weight, on points, forced liis opponent to the ropes in the third round and floored him for the count of six. Walker neatly ended the fight in the sixth, when he had the Australian staggering and bleeding from the nose, but the gong saved him. Cook kept attacking in spite of the continual battering.

The “Daily Mail” says: “Cook was a valiant loser. Walker was reputed to be a black tornado, but turned out to be a mild breeze. He possessed size and tremendous power, but was a pugilistic infant in ringcraft. Walker fought grinning triumphantly, baring his tectli savagely and overcoming Cook’s guard by sheer strength.” Cook, at 14st, was 121 b lighter than his opponent.