BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 192, 15 August 1925, Page 25

BOXING.

RINGSIDE GOSSIP.

"Has a body which is primarily concerned in the promotion of professional contests any claim to be regarded as an amateur organisation?" That is the question which "Cestus," of the "The Star," Christchurch, puts to the writer in answer to the statement made in this column in defence of the existing associations. Unhesitatingly, the answer "No" may be given. However, it cannot he conceded that the Northern Boxing Association, the Wellington Association, or any other controlling body in New Zealand, is "primarily concerned in the promotion of professional contests." "Cestus," of course, claims that they are, and would lead people to believe that such associations have done their best to kill the amateur side of the sport. Facts alone are sufficient to repudiate this charge. The associations for years past have kept amateurism alive, and "Cestus" knows this. Nor is the fact unknown to the little party with whom he is associated. Some of those who are seeking to stir up feeling against the established institutions are men who served for years in prominent positions in the interests of what they are now pleased to call promoting bodies." To show how silly it is to apply this description one has only to remember the arrangements made by the N.BA. in sending Auckland representatives to Australia in 1921-22----23. It was because of the N-B.A.'s interest that Purdy was enabled to go to the Olympic Games. Year after year the N.B.A. has run amateur tournaments, and it is doubtful indeed whether they have ever paid their way, much less shown a profit. Any reasonable man will admit at once that, if amateur boxing is to be kept on a sound financial basis the professional side of the sport must carry it along. It must be confessed that it is difficult to see what "Cestus" is driving at. The cause, of which he is a lone champion, is lost at the outset, because 'a prima facie case cannot be made out for it. His question has been answered, as indeed it was a fortnight ago, but "Cestus" is deaf to any argument save his own, and retorts, when facts are put before him, that his newspaper protagonist: "Is hugely ignorant of his subject." If facts be ignorance—but we forebear.

George Stace, the Australian lightweight, has almost recovered from the severe injury to his ankle which prevented him from meeting Reg. Trowern at Wellington, on July 13, and he will recommence training at an early date.

The Auckland Military Sports' Association's annual tournament last week was quite a success, the form shown by many of the contestants being of a high standard. There can be no doubt that among the senior cadets, territorials and naval recruits in Auckland there Is some first-class material. The Auckland Military Sports' Association is doing much to encourage the boys. R. T. Agnew, who gave a classy display in the final of the bantam-weight division of the Senior Cadet section has," very properly, been awarded the Northern Roller Milling Company's gold medal for the boxer giving the most scientific exhibition during the tournament. F. Fraei has been awarded the gold medal presented by Messrs. Herron and Hunt for the most scientific display by a feather-weight in the Senior Cadets division. T. Barclay won Mr. O. Gyllies* medal for the most scientific boxer in the Territorial division, and C. Brindle was the winner of a medal for the best losing fight, while the Auckland Officers' Club gold medal for the best exhibition by a Senior Cadet lightweight went to F. Fletcher. Eddie Parker will clash again with Max Gornlk at Napier on August 29. Their last meeting was described by a Napier paper as the most thrilling encounter ever seen in Hawke's Bay. Vercoe and Clinton have been matched by the Marlborough Boxing Association to meet at the Blenheim Town Hall at the end of August.

The Sacred Heart boxing tournament held last week was a very successful gathering, many of the friends and old boys of the college who attend year after year being well pleased with the fine standard maintained. The boys are I certainly a credit to their instructors, Messrs. Eugene Donovan and H. Hickey. A very striking display was provided by the winner of the trophy for the most •scientific boxer, Angus Macdonald, of the 7st «clafis. Macdonald has consistently improved since his term at the college, and he is a much better little lad than he was a couple of years ago when he was first mentioned in this column.

One of the liveliest schools in the city at the present time is that conducted by Eugene Donovan and his assistant (Hickey) in Wellesley Street West, where a good class of boy is learning the art of self-defence. Robertson, winner of the territorial bantam championship, and holder of the South Auckland title, won at Hamilton on August 1; Ardley, winner of the territorial featherweight championship; F. L. Taylor, the new Auckland bantam champion and 1924-25 Dominion flyweight champion; J. Broadfoot, winner of the middleweight division; and Morgan, runner-up in the lightheavies, are among those who train at this school.

There are at least three professional boxers of high class among the men of the American Fleet. Ritchie King holds the featherweight championship of the United States navy, has had several fio-hts outside navy circles, and has yet to be beaten. Alki Akol, the flyweight champion of the Fleet, ie a countryman of the late Pancho Villa, who died recently in San Francisco. The welterweight title of the Fleet is held by A. Cadena, who is considered to be the most promising boxer among Uncle Sam's men.

Charlie Purdy is getting into form for his bout with Hughie Dwyer. The fight is to be staged at the Auckland Town Hall on Monday, August 24, and should draw a big crowd. Dwyer can be relied upon to go after Purdy, while the young Aucklander, in meeting the Australian, realises that he is up against his toughest opponent yet. The general opinion is that if Purdy leaves his punch at home on the night Dwyer will take the nod.

at the ensuing holes saw him take 40 to reach the turn. He fell away somewhat on the homeward half, mis-hitting several shots, taking 42, but his green work remained a feature to the end. Robinson, in recording his score was not indulging in anything of a sensational nature, but the result reflects golf of a distinctly sound, and steady nature. He will be remembered as the winner of ihe Taylor Bowl last season, in which competition he played splendidly throughout, to eventually wrest tho honours from E. M. Bartleet. George gave a very indifferent display on the greens on the outward half, taking no less than 44 to reach the turn, but effected considerable improvement la recording 38 for the homeward run. A recently promoted senior in I. G. Mackenzie followed with a card of 83, which represents a very good performance. Mackenzie suffers considerable disability through lack of length on a course such at Titirangi, and there is a deal of merit attaching to the result he obtained. The rest of the scoring hardly merits mention, and several of those expected to show up failed rather badly. Bartleet, who jointly led the field in the opening round, was in considerable difficulty, his 6core of 90 being a great deal in arrear of his usual standard, while R. 0. Gardner, a previous champion of the club, met disaster in both rounds, eventually failing to qualify. T. A. Goulding, whose recent form has been good, was playing brilliantly through the green, but a succession of three putts per green killed the other department of his game, and Le eventually required 88 to complete the round. A. V. Peace, was the winner of the concurrent medal competition, and in view of the fact of his having a handicap of 10 his cards of 83 and 90 must be looked upon as highly satisfactory.

The Ladies* Provincial Championship resulted in a victory for Miss Olive Kay, whose methods imply that she will ultimately enjoy success of an even greater nature. Miss Culling opposed her in the final, but as a result of a sterling battle was eventually forced to admit defeat on the seventeenth green. Miss M. Payton can be considered as the unlucky one of the tournament, and had not weather conditions upset her vision there is considerable doubt whether the provincial title would have changed hands. It is but the fortune of war, however, that one qualifying last should defeat one leading the field, but the fact of Miss Payton brilliantly breaking the course record lends added colour to the opinion that barring the misfortune that befel her she would probably have been champion to-day. This must not be taken, however, as in any degree detracting from Miss Kay's ability, and the fact must also "be remembered that she faced considerable difficulty in lack of local Knowledge, yet in recording her magnificent win it must be equally observed that comparatively her golf, although more virile, never quite reflected the soundness and quality of Miss Payton's.

One of the ** finds " of the tournament was Mi 69 Tattie Horton, whose entry into senior ranks is but recent, and her act in qualifying as she did and achieving dual wins in the handicap events, stamps her as one of ability, and suggests that with experience she will develop into one of the foremost lady players of her club. In respect of the tournament itself the arrangements were very nicely carried out, while the course was in grand order, thus the initial championship held at Titirangi will go down in the annals as a success from every viewpoint.

Only one match of the Auckland Club championship was played on Saturday, when R. D. Wright defeated W. S. Ralph in the semi-final. From Ralph'B viewpoint the match can be summed up as purely a tragedy of the green, and I must confess there is no more heartbreaking sight than to 6ee a class golfer completely awry in this department of the game. Ralph furnishes an interesting study, and in analysing his paralysis—that is simply what it is—on th» green I consider that-his condition is accentuated by the fact of his bein<r for years so brilliant a short approach player as to have been practically always nerved up in endeavour to hole his short putts. The failures that «o down to any player, however, capable, have in his case magnified themselves' until he has become convinced he cannot putt, and when this conviction becomes rooted the position is well nigh