Boxer Who Made Good In England

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 232, 30 September 1944, Page 2 (Supplement)

Boxer Who Made Good In England

George Miur Confident About His Contest With Rollison

Almost an unknown boxer in New Zealand before the war, George Muir, who meets Doug. Hollinson in the Town Hall next Monday night, travelled to England with the Forestry Unit in 1940 and there blossomed out as a fighter of considerable abilitv with wins over several leading English boxers. George Muir fought successfully as an amateur in New Zealand, and in 1935 was the amateur light heavy-weight champion of the Dominion. In the same year he beat the Australian light heavy-weight champion Bill Burns. Turning professional in 1936. he hau one disastrous fight with D. Lindsay, losing on a knock-out after little preparation for the fight.

It was not until he .reached England that he won success. After a series of exhibition bouts, -including one with Freddie Mills, Muir was sought after eagerly by English pro-

moters. In the 16 fights which followed he won 13. His wins included one over Big Jim Wilde, who defeated Maurice Strickland and went eight rounds with Tommy Farr, one over Arnold Hayes, who afterwards won the British Army championship for his weight, and one over George Davis, sparring partner of Primo Camera, former world champion. George Davis weighed in at 19.5 and stood at 6ft sin, compared with Muir's usual weight of 13.0. Muir returned to New Zealand with the Forestry Unit last November and did not fight until he met Rollinson in Gisborne on Auugst 25. A closely-fought decision went to Muir. Asked this afteroon if he thought he would beat Rollinson again next Monday, Muir said he "knew he would." He intends to seek a fight with Maurice Strickland, who is reported to be coming out from retirement, and in the event of victory, to seek a fight with Don Mullet, present New Zealand champion.