BRIGHT BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 16

BRIGHT BOXING.

TOWN HALL CONTESTS.

PROFESSIONAL MATCHES.

OPENING OF THE SEASON

The debut of three prominent Auckland amateur boxers in the professional ranks was the main attraction for the opening of the boxing season last evening, when two professional contests were staged at the Town Hall by the Auckland Boxing Association before a fairly large attendance. Both mate-lies were very keenly contested, and in each a definite decision was reached. In a professional welter-weight contest V. Caltaux, 10.3%. met 1). Johnson, and as a result of continued hard hitting and aggression got a clean-cut decision in the sixth round. Johnson showed good enterprise in leading in the opening round, with Calt.aux boxing defensively and looking for an opportunity to land hard with either hand. Caltaux went in to mix it in the next round, and began to hit with snap and great power. He scored with both hands and it was obvious that he was hitting harder than his opponent. Caltaux continued his aggressive method, but Johnson unfolded a veiy nice uppercut at close quarters by way of retaliation. Johnson was showing a clever defence, and the fourth round was fairly even. Caltaux carried the next round, and with a hard right to the head shook his opponent* just before the gong. In the sixth round Caltaux got through his oppi nent's defence with hard twohanded hitting. Johnson went down for seven. He came back gamely, but was then put down again with a hard hook to the head. Johnson had put up a game exhibition, but he had fought a losing battle nearly all the way against a more rugged opponent. Kelly Impresses. In the light-weight professional contest Percy Kelly, of Auckland. 9.7V2, proved far too good for Kalph Aitken, 9.2, of Wellington. Kelly opened in a very fast two-handed way against an opponent who showed resource and clever evasion. The Wellington man came harder into the attack in the second round, and used both hands cleverly, and the closing part of the round was marked by a line rally by the Aucklander. The third lound was marked by some wry hard mid-ling lighting, with Kelly forcing the pace. He drove his opponent into the angle of the ropes, and the latter took a lot of punishment near the end of the round. Kelly crowded his m.m in the fourth round, and Aitken was often on the ropes and resorting to smothering tactics to save himself. The match had now definitely swung Kelly's way, and l.is opponent was weakening. He was very tired when the gong went to end the tilth round. Kelly began to completely outclass his opponent when the sixth round opened, and the bout was stopped by the referee. Amateur Bouts. Catch-weight.—?!. Willis (10.6) defeated T. Baleombe (10.61 on points. Willis, with hard hitting and a right hook had much tlie better of the opening round, but it was fairly even going through the second and third. Willis did most of the attacking in the final round and got the decision.

W. Underwood (8.6) defeated W. Wakefield (7.12) on a technical knock-out. In a very lively opening round l.nderwood showed the best method, and placed his shots cleanly. In the second round Wakefield was dropped with a hard right, and the bout was stopped.

Bantam-weight.—C. Worth (8.0) defeated C. Goodwin (8.4). The first round was even, but Goodwin was down for six in the second, and lie was sent down light on the gong. Worth was palpably on top in the third, and the referee stopped the bout.

Welter-weight. —R. Gurr (10.6) defeated R. McKenna (10.51 on points. J lie pair went through two hard, even round*?, with McKenna attacking well and Gurr fighting back in a very solid way. It was a repetition of give and tike - in the third, and a very spirited final round saw Gurr driving hard at his opponents body. Ihe decision for Gurr got a mixed reception. The officials were: —Referees, Messrs. H. W. Brien (amateur), R. Meaie and A. B. • foplin (professional I: judges. Messrs. A. B. .Joplin and .T. 11. Sloan (amateur). G. Bush and «T. If. Sloan (professional); official announcer, Mr. AN. J - .. Dervan.