BOXING.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17813, 12 July 1923, Page 12

BOXING.

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS. FIRST NIGHT'S BOUTS. Boxing for the Canterbury Amateur chtwnpionships was commenced in the Choral Hall last night, under +he control of the Cliristchurch Sports Club, before a good attendance of the public. An interesting) night's boxing resulted, though many entrants had to forfeit their engagements, principally on account of the influenza epidemic. Only one final was fought, this in the hea.vy-weight division, and it happened to be the only bout in the class, all but the finalists withdrawing. In this J. Green (Christchurch) secured the verdict over J. Crooke (Southbridge) after an unscientific bout. The decisions of the referee, Mr T. E. Robson, and the judges, Messrs W. G. Atack and R. S. Draper, met with popular approval. The other officials were:—Timekeepers, Messrs R. Bennett and P. C. Crooke; official seconds, Messrs Hayes and Watson. Following are the results: — PLY-WEIGHT. First Round. W. Weir, 7st 51b, beat J.. Johnstone, Vet 21b. A fairly even bout. Second Round. V. Howell, 7st 7lb, beat J. Sellers, 7st 9lb. Howell v,-a3 too old and experienced for his youthful opponent, and the bout was stopped after the Beoond round. BANTAM-WEIGHT. First Round. Jj. Black, Bst beat W. Da.vey, 7st 111b. A perfistent straight left was tho winner's best cerd FEATHER-WEIGHT.. FirEt Round. T. Armstrcng, 8&t 131b, beat A. Davey, 9st. A clo3e contest. LIGHT-WEIGHT. First Round A. Argyle (Ashburton)), 9st 121b, beat D. Fabian, 9st 121b. Argyle won in the last round. Second Round G. Johnstone, 9st 121b, beat T. Burns, 9st 10lb. Burn 3 led most, but Johnstone was faster and hit haider. WELTER-WEIGHT First Round. A. Thompson, lOst 41b, beat C. Ballantyne (Southbridge), 10at 21b. The first and second rounds went by email margins to Thompson, who knocked out hiß opponent early in the third round. Second Round. W. McPhail (Ashburton), lOst 6lb, beat A. Batr.helor, lOst 31b. McPhail floored his man five times in tho first round, the last being a knock-out. MIDDLE-WEIGHT. E. Poecocke (Ashburton), list 21b, beat J. Gibson (Ashburton), lOst lllb. There was a great deal of holding in this bout, and in the third round Gibson was disqualified for an attempted throw. HEAVY-WEIGHT. Final. J. Green, 12st 9.b, beat J. Crook© (Southbridge), list 41b. An unscientific bout. The winner twice floored his man, who retired early in the second round. FINALS TO-NIGHT. , The semi-finals and finals will b© de- | cided to-night, when some spirited contests should be witnessed. ! MURRAY V. BLACKBURN. (passs ASSOCIATION? TELHUIJAiI.) WELLINGTON, July 11. Les Murray (Southland) defeated Clarria Blackburn (Auckland) before a record ciowd at the Town Hall to-night, anil thus retained the light-weight championship of New Zealand. Blackburn did all the attacking in the first seven rounds, but Murray showed superior rlngcraft. Frox. the tenth onward, Blackburn took a great deal of punishment] but retaliated gamely. The re feree stopped the fight in tho fourteenth round, when Blackburn was almost out.