BOXING AND THE WAR.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15561, 10 April 1916, Page 4

BOXING AND THE WAR.

THE ROLL OF HONOUR

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Boxing Council, tho report stated the terrible conflict which is raging in Europe, Asia and Africa has affected all Dranches of sport in tho Dominion, inasmuch as the "bulk of tho eliginles conuectcd with them have donned khaki. Ana it is doubtful if any sport has suffered to such an extent as boxing. Ever since the outbreak'of war the ranks of the reinforcements have received a steady flow of competitive boxers, and _ to-day scarcely a boxer of military age is to be found in tho Dominion. It may not bo out of place to rotor to tho fact that the trained boxer is generally an acceptable recruit. The result of tne dearth of competitors, and the turning of tho public mind to matters of more vital interest, has been that practically all the smaller boxing associations ceased operations for the season. The larger associations carried out a few competitions, mostly for the purpose of assisting patriotic funds, but tho season can bo said to havo been an offseason for practically all local associations. Shortly after the annual meeting of tho council, tho uudeeirability of making any attempt to carry out the New Zealand championships was apparent. and they were a similar decision being coma to with, regard to tho Association championships. Tho lists containing the names of New Zealanders who have fallen in battle include those of a number of the Dominion's amateur and professional boxers, those best known being:— J. Hagerty, light-weight professional cliampion; C. Savoury, amateur heavy-weight champion; and F. Iverr, leather-weight champion, 1910. A number havo been wounded, aud havo since rejoined the forces; others have been invalided . home, aud of these somo will again tako their places in the firing-line, while others have been discharged. Early in the season, local associations were requested to furnish tho council with tho names of the boxers who had enlisted from thou- respective, districts. Lists were forwarded, but since their receipt the numbers havo been considerably augmented by later recruits. It is intended that the roll of honour (shall be a complete record of tho followers of the sport of boxing in the Dominion who have taken. part in the great war. The council desires to placo on record its appreciation of the unhesitating response made by boxers tinder its jurisdiction to the call of their King and country, and its deepest sympathy with the relatives of those who "have done their duty nobly and liav-) fallen in the doing.