AMATEUR BOXING TOURNAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 132, 4 June 1907, Page 6

AMATEUR BOXING TOURNAMENT.

The tournament promoted by the Auddaad Amateur Boxing Club va« held m the Boyal Albert Hall last evening ■w-hen, an addition to tie star the 13 round professional contest bet-ween J- Godfrey and A. GanJt, the heals of a 9st. Tib. .and lOst. amateur competition w-ere decided. There was a large attendance, who vrere rewarded with a splendid evening's entertainment, and. if the big contest did not come up to expectations, the other contests were sufficiently exerting to satisfy anyone. Mr W. 8. Fagan ofßciatcd as referee for the amateurs and Mr B. Donovan for the professionals. The. management, under the joint secretaries, Messrs E. Beid and H. jtfcllroy. was excellent, and the events were got off as per programme. The first bout was between Henderson, of Auckland, and Mackenzie of Waihi, who boxed four good rounds, McKenzie having all the best of the last round, and almost had hi? opponent out on two occasions. McKenzie got the verdict. The second bout, between M-etcalf. of South Africa, and Jackson, of Sydney. ■was another exciting go. Jackson making things very merry while bis condition lasted, but had to acknowledge defeat in the. second round.

After Crane and Sanderson boxed a. bye. Hunter. Auckland, and McClennen, Cambridge, contested ionr rounds, which •were very willing from the gong, the referee being: unable to separate the pair at the finish.

With the preliminaries over. Messrs Godfrey and Gault appeared for the big contest of the evening. Before the men came into the ring, th-e referee. Mr Donovan, explained that in the event of both men being on their feet at the end of the fifteen rounds he wonld -declare the conTest a draw. That this decision was a htige mistake was evidenced by the display given, and. instead of the contest being fonght on its merits, the boxers gave one the impression that they were satisfied to stay tbe full time. To say that the contest was an exciting one wonld be contrary to fa-c-t. and. with the reputation both men possess, it was distinctly disappointing. From a scientific point of view. Godfrey was a long way ahead of his opponent, bat his hits lacked power, and he never at any time had Gault in difEcnltie?. Gault boxed a long way beJow bis last season's form, and was apparently taking no risks. His hits lacked the steam ho formerly showed, and to have b*-«=n successful it would have been better for his advisers t-o have allowed him to go in and fight, in his natural -way. With thf exception of rounds four, five, seven, eight, and ten, which were fairly lively, the contest calls for little comment.

The finals will be fought off on Friday evening, particulars of which will be advertised.