BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 130, 2 June 1923, Page 21

BOXING.

— i — RINGSIDE GOSSIP. It is rumoured that Eddie Parker, the conqueror of Brian McCfceary, will bo matched against J. Heeney, of Gisborne, for the middleweight titje. Len Shaffer, of Wellington, is said to be out to win the light heavy-weight amateur title this year. His Southern friends are keen on him. It is reported that Fned Hansen will probably be seen in action in Hawke's Bay again before long, probably against Les Murray, Stewart &nith or Clarrie Blackburn. Jim Sullivan has been in bard training, and is very lit for his fight with Em Young ut New Pljonouth, on June 4. The Auckland man, and his trainer (Charlie Peoples) are confident of success. Good luck, anyway. Tom Souter, "manager" for Charlie Cnnn, seems anxious to arrange a few lights for his proteges. He wants a match for Cann with Jimmy Seniiiicns, for the Australian bantam title, if the inducement to go across the Tasman is sufficient. Big Jim Savage is doing light work, and is waiting for a light. His weather eye is particularly on Paul McQuarric or Cyril Whitaker, but ho is open to meet all-comers. Several challenges have gone to McQuarrie, but tlie Bluff man is silent. Twelve months ago Lin Robinson was disqualified by the Wanganui Association, but his term is now at an end and he is anxious for a chance to regaiu his featherweight tStle. A clash "between Robinson and Mike Flynn would he interesting, even though " Robbie" is not as young as he used to be. ~ "" -—" * ker, A young boxei .vho came from . he amateur ranks about •ighteen months igo as an aspir int for the Do minion heavyweight title and after eighl ir nine fights is Hearing the top. Six feel and 13 stone he is one of tb( fastest of the big fellow-s or - ~ands, and boxes all the way through. He makes hii first appearance in Auckland at the Town Hall on Monday night against tin rugged ex-champion, Tom Heencv, o: Gisborne. Of the near future the chief attraction inUie boxing world is tho match on June 10, between Jimmy Wilde and Pancho Villa. It is recognised that to-day there is no cleverer boxer in the world than the Welsh wizard, but Jimmy is gcttinf on in years, and has not beei doing much ring work of late years Villa made a sensation in America by beating the champion Johnny Buff anc although be was twice beaten by Frank Genaro, on each occasion reports were unanimous thnt be was robbed of the aecision. It is Clarrie Blackburn's opinion that Paul Demsky was the hardest boy he had ever fought, and also the cleanest boxei be had ever met in the ring. Prior tc his fight Paul Demsky had not been matched for over five months, and now that he has been through tho mill once more ho feels better than if he had had three months' training. lie hopes that now he has started, other associations will avail themselves of his services. He thinks Clarrie Blackburn is a very good boxer, who should go a long way Tr the game, and adds thnt he would be pleased to meet him again under any association. His manager, Mr. Kutner states: "It was absolutely the besi fight I have ever seen in Now Zealand, and was up to the standard they have in the Australian Stadium." The Heeney-Whitaker bout in the Town Hall on Monday night is likely tc be the precursor of a series of interest ing contests for tho New Zealand heavyweight title, which Heeney is out to win back after having forfeited it by absence from the country. Parker (by virtue oi his recent w*n against McCleary), Paul McQuarrie (who actually won the honours from McCleary and had them afterwards disputed) and a new arriva! at Wanganui from England, Jim Savage are among those who arc after the title while Jim Sullivan, a vastly improved boxer since the day ho Auckland championship, has set out on the pro track, and on present showing looks a dangerous opponent for any of the others, all of whom he can out-reach and out-scale. Heeney is a thick-set, power fully built boxer of the bustling type fast for his weight and vigorous, and a heavy hitter. Whitaker is inches taller and more slightly built, but shifty on hif feet and fast with bis bands, a boxei rather tluan a fighter, but hard to evade when he attacks and hard to bustle intc error. On the form shown in formci bouts by both men, this one is likely tr tro the journey, and to be full o action. Among the preliminaries that between Purdy and Broadfoot is bound tc be a fast and'sparkling bout Heeney. Tom, Gisbornc's heft" ex-champion, who re turned from Australii a few months ago, afte making an unsuccess ful bid for the Austral asi a n heavy weigh' honours, being defeatc. by the bald-headei Colin Bell, lias been ou of the limelight for : little, but bis projectee clash with the youn; New Plymouth man Whitaker, has brougb him into prominenc again. For bis class r-*.eney is •<■ »«.».. and shifty boxer, witl a. powerful punch in each mitt. Mon otf tlie pure fighter than the boxer, Jon wastes no time on "pretty stuff,;' bu nets into it from the gong, and in lvi many successful fights has demonstrate. his ability to maintain the aggressive It has been said that the best' lettei of introduction a man can have is I bappv grin. The fellow who though about it first knew what-he was talkin; about. Despite what their critics say most fighting men cultivate this amiabl. characteristic. Ever since men put ill their hands it has been etiquette amonj ring-battlers to produce a gnn whei things look black. It is a good qualitg for f boxer to possess It enables Inn to keep his temper" and remember that however hard he lights, boxing is a sport and must be tackled in good spirit When boxing loses this quality i time for the stadiums throughout th. world to shut up shop.