BOXING FUND AIDS U.S.A. SERVICEMEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11, 13 January 1945, Page 6 (Supplement)

BOXING FUND AIDS U.S.A. SERVICEMEN

In its inconspicuous way boxing in the United States has been doing its part in the interest of the serviceman. In addition to contributing In whatever small way it can to relieving the tension of combat zones and training camps, the ring sport plans to carry right on with its work and aid the fighting men returned to the U.S.A. for hospitalisation. This was disclosed in a report of Boxing's Service Athletic Fund, the organisation which undertook the task of supplying boxing equipment to the nation's fighting forces. The report reveals that more than 250 service camps in America and abroad have received boxing equipment and other sports paraphernalia. Some of the equipment has been dispatched on .-journeys as far away as China and New Guinea. Fighting men on Saipan, in North Africa and in Italy enjoy recreation periods, according to letters the fund's executive committee has received, with 5000 pairs of boxing gloves, 50 boxing rings, 338 punching bags, 1398 head-guai'ds, 2810 skipping ropes, and 166 medicine balls. In addition* to this equipment the fund has distributed ring mats and canvas, mouthpieces, punching bag platforms and other incidentals. Exact details of the plan for aiding in the rehabilitation of returned heroes have not been worked out. However, when the demand for training camp and combat zone equipment has been met, the fund's officials are prepared to adjust activities to meet requirements at rehabilitation centres throughout the U.S.A.