BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 17

BOXING.

AUCKLAND'S NEXT BOUT.

SEMI TO MEET LUTTRELL,

The decision of the Auckland Boxing Association to cancel the bout which had been arranged to take place at the Town Hall next Monday evening and substitute a heavy-weight contest, which will give patrons another opportunity of seeing the remarkable Fijian fighter Semi in action, should be favourably received by the Auckland sporting public, especially as a well-performed New Zealand heavy-weight Val Luttrell will be his opponent.

Luttrell has compiled an excellent record in Australia. He learned his boxing in New Zealand and fought successfully as an amateur before taking up the sport professionally, a number of successes in the South Island being followed by a trip to Australia, where he fought his way up from the bottom, earning a reputation as a good' fighter who always fought attractively and without the clinching idea, which has spoiled many up and coming young heavy-weights. An accident put him out of the ring just when he was ready to meet the best men in the class, and he had rounded himself into good fighting trim again when the Auckland Boxing Association signed him up for contests in this city. After Semi's successful debut it was decided to cancel the fight which had been arranged and bring Luttrell to Auckland immediately to meet the Fijian.

Semi proved against Claude Nicol last week that his record of 20. knock-outs in succession was not a synthetic one by showing great fighting form, and demonstrating that he would be a formidable opponent for anybody in his class. He did not succeed in knocking out the Australian, although he upset him for nine in the opening round, Nicol learning his lesson and using all his skill to avoid being knocked out in that and the ensuing rounds. Seven rounds of hard fighting had gone when Nicol landed a low blow for which he was disqualified. Profiting by the lessons he learned in that contest. Semi has shown wonderful improvement in the gymnasium, and Luttrell will have a fight on his hands when he steps into the ring against the Fijian. However, the New Zealander has a fine record as a good fighter and he should be able to look after himself with credit. The excellent amateur bouts which have been arranged in support make up an attractive programme, which promises thrills in plenty.