BOXING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 307, 9 October 1942, Page 5

BOXING.

FAST, CLEAN FIGHTING. SURPRISE IN THE FIRST BOUT. Fast, clean fighting was displayed in most of the bouts in the boxing . tournament held by the Patriotic Com-mittee-at the Radiant Hall last night. The surprise of the evening came in the first bout, which ended with a knockout in the first round. The programme included two wrestling bouts, the first of which the spectators found entertaining, but the second one did not meet with so much approval.

Abput 350 spectators were present, and the nett proceeds are expected to amount to between £25 and £3O.

The judges were Messrs A. B. Cullen, F. Crum, D. Smith, and A. 'Argyle. Messrs W. Lister and T. Fairhall were referees for the boxing, and Lieutenant R. P. Miller refereed the wrestling. Mr N. Robilliard was timekeeper. The boxing bouts were of three two-minute rounds, while the first wrestling bout was of four 4min. rounds, and the second of, three 3min. rounds. Results were:— Boxing. Light-Heavyweight: C. Beliski (12st 61b) beat W. C. Baker (list 61b) by a knockout in 'the first round. The bout opened very briskly, with both boxers standing toe to toe in the middle of the ring,. exchanging punches willingy. Before long, Beliski began to force the pace, and soon found an opening for a right to the jaw, which sent Baker to 'the canvas.Baker tried to get to his feet at the count of nine, but fell back to the floor. !

Welterweight: W. Sasse (lOst 61b) drew with K. H. Blackwood (lOst 61b). Sasse displayed very good footwork, and was clever at keeping out of harm’s way, but when they came to trade blows, the advantage seemed to lie slightly with Blackwood. . R. G. Campbell (list) beat E. T. Brockenshire (list 21b) on points. This was a very fast bout right from the start, there being apparently little to choose between the two, and Campbell's margin of points must' have been slight, for honours appeared even up to the end of the second round. G. W. Brown (lOst lib) beat A. Watson (lOst 41b) by a technical knockout in the second round. This was a fast, willing bout right from the start, and had the spectators on their toes, the boxers trading punches so quicky that it was difficult to tell where theadvantage lay during the first round. In the second round, however, Watson began to tire swiftly, and was twice sent to the canvas for a count of six. The third time, he was unable to resume. • I

Middleweight: G. Brough (list 61b) beat J. Barnard (list) on points. Brough exhibited far more science than his opponent, and was definitely ahead on the first round, which was fought at a. fast pace. The bell at the end of the second round found Barnard still taking punishment. Barnard tried hard to make up for lost ground in the third round, but Brough proved too clever for him. W. Lester (list lib) drew with G. S. Allen (list). Allan opened the fight with a barrage of lefts and rights which seemed to take Lester somewhat by surprise, but Lester rallied in the second round, and began to take

the offensive. It was not long before his heavy artillery had Allen in trouble, but the latter fought back gamely, although displaying a tendency to swing wildly when he got bustled. R. Stevens (list 61b) heat J. K. McCallum (list lib) on points. This was one of the best exhibitions of the evening, both men displaying a good krioAVleclge of ringcraft. The first round was fought in willing fashion, and drew a hearty round of applause from the spectators. The second round saw Stevens finding openings in McCallum's defence, while skilfully avoiding punishment himself. At one stage he almost floored McCallum with a powerful right to the solar plexus. Both men were obviously trying for a knockout in the third round, but the greater degree of stamina displayed by Stevens Avon the day . for him. Light-weight: J. C. Gillen (9st 71b) beat. M. H. Morrison (9s t 41b) on points. Morrison, .a smaller man than Gillen, Avas; at a disadvantage because of his shorter reach, but he carried a very punishing left hand, and. used it to good effect whenever he got an opportunity. Honours Avere easy- over the first two rounds, hut Gillen’s greater stature and longer reach saw him a sure Avinner in the third round.

A. Luxton (9st 41b) beat M. H. Morrison (9st 41b) on points. Applause proclaimed this the best exhibition of the tournament. Luxton Avent after Lis man right from the bell, shoAving himself a fast boxer, Avith a knock-out in either hand. His sudden onslaughts found Morrison at a loss in the first round, but Morrison put 1 up a solid defence in the second round, in Avhich Liixton could find few openings. The third round Avas a ding-dong struggle from start to finish, Avith, both men going for a knock-out. Morrison got in some telling Moavs in the clinches, but the bell found Luxton still attacking srongly, ty., Wrestling. P'. W. Stevens (13st) dreAV Avith J. Morris (13st 71b). Morris Avon the first round. Stevens, after resorting to sundry other tactics, introduced a few elbow jolts, but desisted when Morris retaliated in like manner* Morris came out of his corner on the run in the second round ivith a drop-kick Avhich missed its mark. Both men then struggled for a fall, with Morris displaying an uncanny aptitude for getting out of trouble. Tmvard the end of the round, hoAvever, Stevens secured a fall with a body press. Morris began the third round in a very businesslike manlier,. and quickly thrciv his man ivith a lieadloek, taking a fall Avith a body press, bringing the. score level. The fourth round Avas even.

M. Hardie (12st 71b) drew with L. 0. Simpson (12st 121 b). This bout did not come up to the standard of the other, both men displaying extreme wariness in coming to- grips. Any advantage in the first round appeared to lie with Hardie, and early in the second round he again had Simpson in trouble. Honours were even at the end of the round, however, and in the third round both men went all out for a fall, at one stage going out under the ropes, to bo brought back by the referee. In the third round both men appeared afraid to come to grips, and the end of the round found them still on their' feet sparring for an opening.