BOXING

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23080, 24 July 1940, Page 3

BOXING

ARMY AND AIR FORCE OPENING OF CHRISTCHURCH SEASON The boxing season had an encouraging opening last evening when the Christchurch Amateur Boxing and Sports Club staged a large number of bouts. A tournament between Army and Air Force men was scheduled, and although all matches could not be arranged, those which were contested were eagerly followed by the crowd. A good number of other amateur bouts were also promoted. The general standard of boxing was not high, most contestants showing evidence of only light training, but a good grounding was apparent, particularly among the younger boys. Results were;— Paper-weight L. Murfitt (7st) beat R. Smith (6st 131b). P. Hassell (6st) beat M. Haines (6st 131b). Fly-weight W. Gamble (Bst) beat L. Barr (7st 121b). Bantam-weight G. Brown (Bst) beat P. Dwyer (Bst 31b). Feather-weight L. Newman drew with J. Canter. This was a slow but solid encounter. W. Howard beat E. Campbell., With Campbell receiving heavy punishment at the hands of an obviously more seasoned boxer, the referee stopped the match in the- last round. E. Hall beat A. Duder. These boxers provided the first scientific bout. They employed similar devices of a straight left at the end of a heavy lunge, but Hall was more accomplished in the finer work and scored where Duder tended to become erratic.

G. Elliott. (Bst 101b) beat P. Nee (9st). Elliott realty won on his fine fettle. He withstood the battle well, whereas Nee became clumsy and left gaps for telling blows.

Leight-welght G. A. Papperell beat E. A. Schick. The fight was shopped in the second round, when Papperell inflicted a bad cut over one of his opponent’s eyes. Light Heavy-weight A. J. Denny beat H. Le Foy. While not skilful, this was one of the most willing bouts of the evening, and it delighted the crowd. F. O’Connor (9st 51b). Army, beat A. C. Dolan (9st 51b), Air Force. The contest was fast and scientific in the first round. Although O'Connor was the more overbearing, Dolan scored in the in-fight-ing. The match was stopped after the first round, Dolan receiving an eye injury. F. Murfitt (Bst 101b) beat H. Wilson (9st). This was a grim battle. Both were cautious, but in the occasional bursts of action there was tight-fisted boxing, Murfitt winning on tactics. J. Musson .Ost 71b) drew with I. Watson (9st 71b). An experienced performance with cunning dodging enabled Musson to inflict the maximum punishment and counter Watson’s plucky attacks. The latter, however made a valiant effort in the last round and equalled honours. Hodgson (lOst 61b) beat Murray (list 131b). Murray could not take the bout seriously, and received a cut which necessitated the stopping of the fight. Welter-weight

A. C. Copestake (9st 101b), Air Force, beat M. Meltzer (9st 101b), Army. Meltzer had a weak chin, and went down for a count of five twice in the first round before the smashing blew on which the referee stopped the fight. I. Palmer (9st 101b)-beat J. Murfitt (9st 91b). Palmer won on his long reach and confidence. He stood and Invited punish, ment and then coolly passed it off on his gloves. Murfitt had to make the pace. T. Francis (lost 71b) beat W. Payne (lOst 61b). Payne seemed a likely man in the opening stages, but he took one or two heavy punches which unnerved him, and the last round was a walk-away for Francis.

A. Miller (lOst 51b), Air Force, beat A. Ward (lOst 21b), Army. By persistent buffeting Miller scored his win in an uninspiring bout. I. Smith (lOst 11b) beat T. Smith (lOst 11b). The winner had an advantage of height and reach and was awarded the match in the second round. Middle-weight L. Williams (lOst 111b), Army, beat M.‘ Stevens (list 61b), Air Force. Stevens was a master of ringcraft, but he failed to follow up, and Williams won on a lively last round.