CHAMPION BOXER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 182, 3 August 1932, Page 8

CHAMPION BOXER.

FIGHTING PETTY OFFICER.

TROPHY ON H.M.S. DUNEDIN.

FORMER NEW ZEALAND TITLE

WINNER.

In a glase showcase on board H.M.e. Dunedin, which returned to Auckland from England on Monday last, is a silver belt that is insured for £100. It is aboard the cruiser for the reason that Petty Officer Arthur Firth, one of the ship's company, won the light-heavy-weight title at the Royal Navy and Royal Marines boxing championships held at Portsmouth earlier in the year.

Petty Officer Firth is no stranger to Auckland, either as a man-o'-wars man or a boxer. Born at Mangandi, New South Wales, he joined the Navy at the age of 15, and first came to Auckland in 1923 as a leading seaman on H.M.s. Chatham. Up till that time he had done a lot of boxing, both in the service and in open company, and in 1924 hs tried hie lists in New Ze Jand to euch good effect that he wen the Auckland, North Island and New Zealand lightheavy titles. In the following year Firth, who had not then been promoted to petty officer, was transferred to England. During the past seven years he has been boxing regularly, and has met with few reverses.

Many Professional Fights. As a professional boxer Firth met most of the leading middle and light-heavy-weights in England and Scotland, as well as engaging with other service lightens. In 1920 ho won the InterService Boxing Association's title, and followed this up by defeating Tlie'o' Suys, the Belgian champion. He dropped a points decision to' Primo Übaldo, the Italian light-heavy titleholder at that time, who had done exceedingly well in America. . After drawing with Joe Rolfe, he annexed the middle-weight championship at Portsmouth. Then he was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet, and for the next couple of years his opportunities for meeting good men were limited. Back in England in 1929, he won the light-heavy-weight championship of the Atlantic Fleet, and was also runner-up in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines open tourney. Among the most notable men he met until the time he was transferred to H.M.s. Dunedin for further service in New Zealand waters were Gunner Clements (won), Willie Muzer, South African middle-weight champion (won), George Clough, a leading North of England light-heavy-weight (two drawn matches), George Gordon, middleweight champion of Scotland (lost on points), Alf Noble (two wine), Private Jones, Royal Air Force champion (won on K. 0.), and Jack Stratton (won on

Firth, who acted as sparring partner to Len Harvey, the middle-weight champion of Europe, was also given matches with several men reckoned to be in championship class.

In April last, P. O. Firth won the heavy title . and championship belt against all comers at the Royal Navy and Marine, tourney at Portsmouth. He is entitled to hold the belt for twelve months.

As an amateur in New Zealand eight years ago the fighting P.O. showed that he was a hard puncher. He hopes that before long ho Will be given the opportunity .of demonstrating that he is a worthy Navy representative in the professional division.