THE SQUARED RING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 122, 5 March 1936, Page 3

THE SQUARED RING

AUSTRALIANS IN DEMAND. THREE INVITED TO AMERICA. (By "Referee.") Invitations have been extended to the Australian boxers, Ambrose Palmer, Jack Carroll and 'Fred Henneberry to visit America. It is considered that Henneberry's methods would be a considerable success in America, where they like to see a fighter take things as they come and keep on fighting. His clean-cut appearance, his relentless fighting ways, it is declared, would create new interest in the middleweight division of the U.S.A., where they are bemoaning the poor qualities of tbe champion, "Babe" Risko, so recently spreadeagled by Jock McAvoy, of England, who was not considered one of, the really great even in his own land—at least that is the inference from English newspaper references of surprise to his successes in America. The news of Henneberry conquering in sudden, resolute manner Red Affinito and Vincent Sireci has stirred the enthusiasm of American interests.

The request is for Henneberry to make the trip as soon as he can, but he again states, as he has stated before when invitations have arrived, that as long as there is money to be made in Australia, ho will remain there.

Strickland Lcses to Coloured Fighter. According to the cabled report, Strickland lias again been up against it, for in Obie Walker he was meeting one of the fiercest "milling" coves to be found" among the heavy-weight generals to-day. Walker, a coloured gent, weighing oyer fourteen stone of bone and muscle, is considered a tough fellow and his record since he came into the game some four years ago is such that Billy Crawford might be excused is ho .suffered from headaches prior to the fight. However, once more Strickland has measured up and proved himself something of a "hard rock" by withstanding the countless onslaughts and lasting the journey with the redoubtable Walker, even though he hit the canvas for nine in the last session.

British Heavyweight Title. Jack Petersen, holder, outpointed Len Harvey, challenger, for the British heavy-weight title at Wembley, on January 28.

Ambrose Palmer has been offered a match with the winner, but the unfortunate illness of his wife has forced our champion to regretfully abandon all thoughts of a visit to England for at least 'six months. It is rumoured that an Australian boxing syndicate has opened negotiations with Petersen for an Australian tour.

If Palmer defeats Henneberry, and satisfactory financial arrangements can be made with Petersen, the syndicate will promote a British Empire title battle, to be fought in the open, so the rumour declareth.

Boxer's Untimely Death. One of the smartest boxers and athletes ever produced by an Australian college, Les Smith, met an untimely death near Sydney, on January 13, as a result of a motor-cycle accident on the South Coast. Ho was only 18. Smith was tutored in the art of fisticuffs by Joe Wallis. Ho first came under the eye of the Stadium's referee at the age of 14. His manner was so impressive that Wallis did not hesitate to put him in against boys with experience.

Mickey Rogers visited the gymnasium one day, and Wallis asked him to put the gloves on with his pupil, who weighed .8.7. Rogers was told not to play about, as (Smith would not hesitate to mix it.

Rogers had two ribs broken, while he was knocked out in a round and a half. A pupil at King's School, Smith won the under 9.0 championship in 1933, the under 10.5 in 193-1, while last year he won the under 11.5 title when weighing only 10.6.

In the open championship the same year "he was narrowly beaten by Robinson, who was 231 b heavier.

Apart from being an exceptionally good boxer, Smith also performed with credit in other branches of sport, and was one of the best wing three-quarters seen in the college games. He was to have left this August for England. Confidence in Palmer. "1 am backing Ambrose Palmer because I am confident he will make good in higher company," said Air A. Blakeborough, a woolbuyor, who has returned to Melbourne from England. "I met Palmer through sporting friends here, and as he is a clean living lad and willing to make sacrifices to reach the top, 1 told him I would use what influence 1 had in the boxing world ill England to arrange guarantees. I have been interested in boxing all my life, and was fond of it as a sport when in the army," said Mr Blakeborough. "My brother is a permanent referee in London and knows everyone who could be of any assistance to Palmer. My brother, too, is a journalist, and has clone much to make Palmer known. Twelve months ago the Australian heavy-weight was unknown in England, but now he is being asked about, and boxing fans arc eager for his first appearance. I am confident he can defeat any other Dominion lighter and am anxious to see him pitted against Len Harvey or Jack Petersen."