'QUAKE FUND BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 37, 13 February 1931, Page 12

'QUAKE FUND BOXING.

CARLAW PARK CONTEST

BLAY'S METEORIC RISE,

Xot for years has more interest been evinced in a boxing match tlian ii] that which takes place at Carlaw Park on Saturday afternoon between Bobby Blay, the brilliant Australian featherweight, ayid Archie Hughee, featherweight champion of Now South Wales, and there is every indication of a record crowd. The proeecdn will go toward the Earthquake Fund and should do much to relieve distress in Napier. "Blay is undoubtedly the best infighter Australia has seen, and undoubtedly within the next year he will be the best lightweight champion the country has ever had." That is the opinion of Mr. Joe Campbell, trainer and manager of Blay. Naturally Mi'. Campbell is enthusiastic regarding his* charge, but his confidence is justified by ]31ay's record in defeating every feather-weight of note in Australia, and by beating the leading New SJealajid'ers in Tommy Donovan and Johnny Leckie, Blay, a slight youth with spindle limbs, is anything except the common conception of a fighter, but when he gets to work lie 'soon dispelg any doubts ope may have of hie ability. lie surprised about 200 spectators at the fire station gymnasium with his cleverness and speed and his wonderful defence. Exceptional Record. Starting his career as a professional preliminary boy nearly three years ago, J3lay displayed sucli an aptitude for boxing that he quickly graduated into more important contests. lie has had 42 fights for 30 wins (including 1!) by the knock-out route), live losses and one draw, and has won the last 21 lights consecutively. Four of the losses were in his early preliminary days and he has lost only one 15-round. contest, and that to a shrewd qld lighter who jumped to a body punch and got himself fouled when he was on the verge of being knocked' out. A week later Blay did not givQ the. shrewd one a chance to repeat the trick, but knocked him out jn short order. Blay has decisions over all the best men of his weight in the Commonwealth, including Doble, Crowle, Halliday, Jacligpn, Nelson and Edwards, Blay does nofc or drink, but nevertheless. he requires a great deal of work to kc-ip him fit. If he is a pound overweigj 6 he loses a lot. of his dash, but his trainer says that he will be at his very best on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Campbell, who was lighting as an amateur 30 years ago, and who for the past 20 years has been a trainer of boxers, is the man who brought Bert Spargo, the great Australian champion, jpto the game, and he looks upon Blay as the equal in every way of his earlier charge. Blay, he says, was the best novice he has ever handled and right from the start showed great promise. Mr. Campbell has a high opinion of Hughes, and he is not stipting in his praise of the New South Welshman, "Hughes is one of the toughest and gamest boys I have ever seen, and we know that we cannot afford ten take any chances with him. I am sure Blay wil} win, but I also know that Hughes will give him a hard light," he said. Ultimatum to Stadiums, Ltd, Before leaving Australia Mr. Campr bell had some trouble with Stadiums, Ltd., and asked that the position should be made clear so that the public would realise that he had not come to New Zealand under any stigma. "I was disqualified for life by Stadiums, Ltd., because 1 objected to Mr. Lean wanting to break a contract for 15-round contests and. make them 12 rounds instead. All the boys in my charge including Bobby Blay were disqualified with nie, but that has not caused us any real trouble. I have never been guilty of any misdemeanour. Now, probably as a result of Blay beating .Donovan and Eeckie, that disqualification has been lifted, but before I again consider doing business with Stadiums, Ltd., I want Mr. Lean to apologise in the Press in both New Zealand and Australia. If 1 was guilty, of any misdemeanour that disqualification should never have been lifted, but if I was not guilty 1 I am entitled' to a public apology," he concluded.

Accommodation . for about 20,000 will be available at the park. The ring will bo erected in centre of the park and will be surrounded by ringside seats at 5/ each and a limited number of 10/ seats. Accommodation for 15,000 people will be available on the terraces, and it is expectcd that the Earthquake Fund will be augmented by several hundred pounds. Tickets can be purchased at Watts\ Sports Depot, Exchange Lane, and at Asher's, Shortland Street, as well as at the gates.