BOXING

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 15 December 1923, Page 21

BOXING

RINGSIDE GOSSIP.

Congratulations, Harry May! The J young Auckland welter-weight, who j recently joined the ranks of the benedicts, had his seventh professional fight on Tuesday night, when he decisively outpointed Jock Graham, also of Auckland, and so deposed the champion from j his throne, which was becoming rather dusty for lack of a serious contender. The ox-champion admitted that May was too fast, and though the Invorcargill report, sent by the Press Association, states that May did not hit hard, there was yet sufficient power in his blows to make Graham very tired long before the end of the journey. This victory should be answer enough to the many critics who declared that May would never justify his existence as a professional, and the fact that he is now in possession of the title should put him in line for many more engagements.

Providing that a hall is available at Auckland, Jack Howard is to meet the winner of the O'Sullivan-Heeney clash. It is proposed that the fight shall be staged in January, by which time Howard should be in tip-top form. Those who know him well are confident that Howard will fully extend either Heeney or O'Sullivan, and that if he can strike his old vorm he will easily dispose of the champion. Howard has been in training now for four months, working along scientific lines, and his great girth has entirely disappeared, while his arms are toujrh again, anO, most important, his "wind" control is excellent. When Howard started to train in August he weighed lCst 71b. What training has done for him is shown by the fact that he now tips the scale at 13st 111b. Howard hopes to take the ring at approximately 13st 41b.

Mr. Charles Peoples, the well-known trainer-manager, has gone to the Taranaki district to assiet the Somalilander, Joe Thomal, in coaching his many pupils. The fight gnme is very popular in the butterfat country. Mr. Peoples says that, although he has gone South, he has not split with Jim O'Sullivan, as had been rumoured. Mr. Peoples will probably be in Palmerston North on Boxing Night, when O'Sullivan meets Heeney in another bid for the heavy-weight crown.

Big Jim O'Sullivan, ex-heavy-weight champion of Xew Zealand, is in training at the Victoria Street West gymnasium for his fight with Heeney, which is only 11 days distant. The 6ft 4in Aucklander is showing fine form, and his supporters are impressed with the fact that he is now in better condition than he was prior to hie first meeting with Heeney, when the Gisborneite was deposed from his throne. O'Sullivan trains in the morning, as it is too warm later in the day.

It is stated that Harry Stone, the American-Australian-Hebrew freak boxer, will take Paul Hannah in hand with the New Year. If anyone can make anything of Hannah, then Stone is that one. Paul baa had a long rest, and is now in better physical trim.

Mr. Tom Heath, the popular Napier sportsman, well known to many Aucklanders, and especially to the 1923 amateur team, whom he entertained so veil on the occasion of the championships, is being trained to act as a referee. He has been appointed to referee the amateur bouts at Napier carnivals. By this means it is hoped that Mr. Heath will soon be proficient, so that should the regular arbitrator be unavailable he could fill the gap. This is a good move on the part '/ the association. The N.B.A. recently decided on the same course, and Mr. Matt Moore (better known as Matt James) is now the regular referee for all amateur bouts in Auckland. When the sad day comes when the veteran Frank Burns can no longer officiate, Mr. Moore should be fully qualified to take over and carry on in a manner worthy of his predecessor in office.

Clarrie Blackburn -will meet Larry Lasher at Taumarumii on Saturday, December 22. for a small purse. Larrythinks he will beat Clarrie, and Clarrie thinks he can lick Larry. Time will tell, hut there is no question as to who is the bettor boxer. FRED FARRELL. T Jy J>> c official anAy"\ V nouncer for the y/////\ Jh N.8.A., and one Villi ==• oi tlw features of wd' *mfflk *he * T P eriodic Ml I £ fw "smack ups" at I the T °wn Hall is a if / * f majestic air, raise j L one hand as if in | benediction, throw I 4BS HttKM ' I * B back, and B hL J announce with the Hkr unction of a ser-geant-major, "Bill Bloggs, eight etun | am > eight stun V eight '.Fifteen] three minute rounds," and then I retire with great dignity to his seat. He has all the attributes and manners of the oldtime showman. "I've seen many champions come and go in ray time," 19 the remark attributed to Harry Stone, the American-Australian-Hebrew, "and I suppose I'll see many more. Yes, champions may come, and champions may go, but Harry Stone^— well, Harry Stone etill goea on." Apropos of these egotistical remarks, it may be said that Stone is now well on into the ser , ? and yellow as boxers go, yet he has proved conclusively only lately that he is still up with present-day champions, and that he is as clever a pugilist as has landed on New Zealand's sunny shores for many a day. Harry never worries over a fight, and when in training his- spars resemble nothing so much as a jazz impromptu (or something to that effect), and h"j declares that he gets a3 much amusement cut of this funny business as do the onlookers. "Anyway, it keeps a man young," he is reported to have said. Aucklanders are looking forward with much eagerness to seeing the "Hop" in action. Should the N.B.A. let Stone depart without putting him on here the "fans" will be more than annoyed.