READY FOR FIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 208, 3 September 1929, Page 9

READY FOR FIGHT.

CHARLIE PURDY ARRIVES.

HIS DEFEATS BY HANCOCK,

SYDNEY PRESSMAN'S TRIBUTE,

Fit and well for his fight with Artie Hay in the Town Hall next Monday, Charlie Purdy, the Auckland; professional boxer, returned from Australia by the Ulimaroa, to-day. He was accompanied by his new manager, Mr. A. McQueen.

It is twelve months since Purdy "was last in his 'home city. Since then he has had eight matches for four wins. He won on points against Bobby La Salle, "Hop Harry" Stone, and Bluey Jones, while he scored over Jack Carroll on a foul. Jones beat him on a foul in a return match, Tommy Fairhall won a close points decision over him and he was twice stopped by Sailor Wally Hancock. Purdy's fights against Hancock were among the most sensational of his career. In the first he was knocked out in the third round some seconds after the gong had sounded without being heard above the cheering and yelling of the "fans." A return match was arranged and in this Hancock scored with a technical knock-out in the twelfth round. Although beaten in these fights, Purdy showed himself in a new light—as a fighter-boxer and not as a boxer pure and simple. On each occasion he was given a great ovation by the crowd for his game showing and at least one of Sydney's sporting scribes compared his pluck to anything that had previously been seen in that city. "Purdy went on fighting long after his battered frame had cried enough; his fighting heart alone kept him going," the Sydney writer penned. Hancock, says Purdy, has a wonderful left hook, and has improved out of all sight in his recent matches. In the Aucklander's opinion he is likely to beat the best of his weight in Australia. Purdy claims that until he was beaten by Hancock, he was the champion wel-ter-weight of Australia, Carroll having refused for six months to give him a return match for the title. When Purdy steps into the ring next Monday night he will be making his first Auckland appearance for two and a-half years, his last fight here having been when he defeated Jamito on points over ten rounds. In his two previous matches with Hay, the A uc klander scored once on points and divided the honours on the other occasion. Purdy mentioned to-day that Hay will have to make 10.7 when the pair weigh in. It is Purdy's intention to stay in New Zealand as long as he can get matches. After that he will return to Australia, as he likes the country and regards the Australian people as fine sportsmen. It is evidently Purdy's idea to settle permanently in Sydney, for he has entered into partnership with Nick Winter, the Australian Olympic Games representative and holder of the world's hop, step and jump record, in the management of a billiards parlour in George Street. "Business is very good," smiled Purdy, in telling of his venture into, billiards saloon ownership. 'Mr. Mcl Queen, who joined up with Purdy after his first Hancock fight, has been managing boxers for many years. Among the best-known glove fighters who have passed through his hands are Jimmy Clabby, whom he managed for ten years, and Eugene Crique, the sensational Frenchman.