BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 96, 24 April 1926, Page 25

BOXING.

RINGSIDE GOSSIP.

The emissary from the "amateur control" corterie in Christehurch who con- * yened a meeting of Auckland enthusiasts with a view to ascertaining their views on the question of seeking authority to place amateur boxing on a higher plane adopted a wise attitude in stating that those whom he represented would be ' quite willing to receive any suggestion that would be for the good of the sport. Mr. W. J. Heselhurst, wha has been connected with the new amateur movement since its inception last year, made little contribution to the discussion, and certainly did not attempt to influence the views of the Auckland speakers, who were agreed that it would be better to attempt a reformation in the administration of the New Zealand Boxing Association than to form a new organisation. If we judge rightly the views expressed on "Wednesday night will not meet with the approval of a section of thee "amateur control" party. From the outset the movement has been in the direction of a clean break. It is not reformation that has been aimed at, but the establishment of an entirely new body, with the exclusive control of amateurs. If this assertion be doubted, one has only to turn to any of the utterances of the leaders of the party, or to the S boxing columns of the "Christehurch Star," in which the movement has" been ponsistently championed. The- contro-

versy carried on in tMs column.last year, as a result of'the allegations made by the southern writer, may 'perhaps;, be remembered. It cannot be doubted that the views, expressed by men like Mr. Ci I". Sanders and Mr. A.. H. Gyllies will carry much weight. That .they, will stey, the ill-considered movement for. .the establishment of a second ! controlling body is quite another question. Two of. the prime movers in the ''amateur cony trol" campaign were for many years prominently associated with what is now dubbed : "the professional body." They held seats on the New- Zea-/ land Boxing Council, probably if a new organisation" were.brought into existence they would be'elected-to'.the Dominion executive of that body:: ;Jar view .of this consideration it is obvious that any attempt to deflect the movement in the direction of mere reformation of "the professional controlling body" would be likely to meet with bitter opposition. Many will be surprised if the sponsors of the movement in Christchurch alter their programme as a consequence of the opinions expressed at the Auckland gneeting. ' • In the main, the suggestions made by Mr. Sanders were at once judicious; and progressive. He refused to associate himself with any: "movement, for^-the establishment of a.'new. body till such time as every endeavour had been "made to achieve reformation 'of existing organisations affiliated with the New Zealand Boxing Association. The salvation of amateurism lay in an unrestricted membership. At present. , there were, association members who cared nothing for the administration 'of the eport, bo long as they gat £5 worth of privileges for 30/. Mr. Sanders suggested the abolition of members' privileges. The. result would be that those seeking membership would do so for the service they could J render, and not for what they could get. With a membership of 800 or 1000, instead of 150, as at present, a body like N.B.A. would have no paucity of material on which to draw in the appointment of committees, and many new schemes, with a view to encouraging amateurs, and placing the eport on a more effective basis, could ibe taken in hand. Liberal-minded supporters of boxing •—and, especially the many hundreds of enthusiasts who are. debarred from membership to-day—will give Mr. Sanders their heartiest support. His suggestions will prove much more acceptable than those of the Christchurch party, which, as lias been pointed out, aims at the complete severance of amateur boxing from professionalism. That no steps were taken to bring about a more comprehensive membership during Mr. Sanders' long, term of office as president of the Northern Boxing Association is a point which provides material for thought, but it is never too late to mend. If he can help bring about much-needed reforms in the sport and cave New Zealand from the evils of separate control of the two divisions, lie will have rendered a service, the value of which will' be appreciated in years to come. "Stace has not only improved as a boxer and fighter, but he has also developed a punch, which makes him a dangerous opponent," writes Pat Connors, from Wellington. "Stace is now seeking a match with Purdy, Murray, Trowern, Jamito or: Loveridge, arid he is after the welterweight title." Mr. F. Blomfield, of Wellington, who was in Auckland this week, called on the , writer, and suggested that the Northern Boxing Association might find a good match in Stace and Trowern. The tragic death of William Colledge of Waihi, as the result of a. mishap during the Auckland Automobile Association's race meeting last Saturday, has, removed a young man who was a credit to the ring. Last year he competed in the light-weight division at the provincial championships, beating Jim Smith of Taumarunui in a great fight on the first night, and disposing of

B. Keece, in the final, after a spirited contest, which, was very lively towards the close. Deceased represented the province at the INew Zealand gathering, held in Christchurch, and during the early stages he beat a. clever Ashburton lad in R. Argyle. The winner of the class, Morgan of Wellington, proved too good for him, however, and he lost the decision after hurting his head in a bad fall. All followers of amnteur boxing will sympathise with the bereaved relatives in the loss of a boy who was in all respects a good sport, a clever boxer and a clean opponent. Much well-deserved praise has been showered on Reg Trowern by reason of his victory over the quondam Sydney idol, Salvino Jamito. By all accounts, it was an epic contest that Wellington ring-siders were treated to, and Trowern has enhanced his reputation considerably by the fine performance which won him the decision. "Jammy," as the Filipino is popularly known, is not what he once was, and few who saw him in action when he was at the crest of the wave in point pf speed and punching power would venture to assert that Trowern would have been capable-of-taking the decision from him had he maintained his form. However, it is a tribute to Trowern's ability that he should be able to register' a points decision ..over such an experienced and wily veteran as Salvino Jamito, who at, one time rejoiced in the title of Lightweight Champion of.the Orient.