BOXING.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14984, 3 June 1914, Page 11

BOXING.

— « CHRISTCHURCH SPORTS CLUB'S TOURNAMENT. The Christchureh Sports Club held a successful tournament in the King's Theatre last evening, the programme consisting of two feather-weight contests and a middleweight bout. There was a fairly large house.

In the match between W. Curran and J. Digby, the former proved himself slightly the better boxer, and although Ligby improved as tho contest proceeded he lost the decision on points. The return match between N. Vernall and W. Ireland was an interesting bout, in which both men took a good deal of punii<_ment. Vernall was the cleverer boxer, but Ireland displayed good hitting powers. Ireland tired badly, and was knocked out in the last Tound.

Tho middle-weight contest for a purac of £50, between Gns Devitt, who recently returned to Auckland after a successful visit to Australia, and Barney Ireland was spoilt by a lot of clinching and wrestling, which called forth repeated "breaks 1" from the Yefereo and audience. Devitt was the cooler boxer, and utilffcd a good straight left throughout. Ireland was eupcrior at infighting, and though he ehowed improvement in the later stages he could not mak-j up tho leeway, and the decision went to Devitt on points. Following are details of the contests: —

FEATHER-WEIGHT CONTESTS. (Six 3-minute rounds.) J Di"by (Ashburton) 9st v. W. Curran (Hawke's Bay) 9st 61b. Digby used his left fairly effectively in the opening stages, but, Curran scored at close quarters. Both men tired in the last two rounds. Digby improved slightly, but Curran sent in a few effective blows, and tbe verdict was *.n his favour on points. N Vernail (Christchureh) v. W. Irelani (Waipawa) (weights not announced). There was _ long wait before, Ireland appeared. Both started with fast, clever work Ireland sending in heavy, telling blows. He was warned for hitting wilh the open glove Vernall made gooefwe of his left and got lefts-and rights to the face repeatedly. Ireland forced matters, -nd sent in several heavy swings, but Vem-Il s defence was clever, though his blow? lacked steam. Ireland waa warned for hitting low and was swinging rather wildly. \ ernall improved and w.-_- scoring *"U. but both t, J ed ' a - n » Ireland, after going down once for nine seconds, was knocked out.

MIDDLE-WEIGHT CONTEST. (Fifteen 3-minute rounds.) Gus Devitt (Auckland) list 3Tb v. Barney Ireland (Wuipawal list 4lh. The saw slow sparring and clinching, Ireland doing good wcrk at close quarters. Both men held, and Ireland waa forcing the pace. Further wrestling ensued, and in the Win round Devitt sen,t home some good leits, while Ire.and got in good swings. Devitt continued to score with his left, and Irel-nd occte.ona.ly with swings.- Ireland I _<^ <l ,V* close quarters irequently, missing wrta ni_ left, but taking Dcvitfs left m the tace rlv every time. In the tenth round ....and rushed and struck h:s head on the corner post, but he was fighting s.roagiy. Devitt continued to pile up points with has left, while Ireland scored hard tc tne body at close quarters- Both men were lndulg*-. in a fair amount of talking, and Ireland waa forcing matters, getting home with a lew swings- Devitt was also busy, and thougn Ireland was showing improvement in .the later stages ha was too ixc behind on po___s and lost the) decision.