BOXING

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23108, 26 August 1940, Page 9

BOXING

MIDDLE-WEIGHT TITLE MATCH [From Our Own Reporter.] WAIMATE. August 25. The New Zealand professional boxing middle-weight title was won by Cliff Hanhain IWnimnte), list 511), on Saturday night. He was well ahead on points in his match with Vie Caltaux (Auckland), lOst I2lh, when Caltaux was disqualified just before the final gong for bolding. Hanham, who already held the light, heavy-weight championship, now has two titles. Caltaux is the welter-weight titleholder. The contest was badly matched, as i/aniiani had half a stone advantage in weight, and also definite advantages in height and reach. The matching o( the fight hampered considerably the display of the finer points of boxing, which could have been expected in a title bout, but nevertheless it could be saicj that the crowd, which even taxed standing room in the Olympia Hall, saw some earnest fighting for its money Caltaux seemed to be ab'e to absorb plenty of punishment, and helped to make the fight by going in for more. Hanham several times forced him through the ropes, and even though lie twice squatted down while the ‘referee counted the Aucklander showed undaunted gameness Hanham. except for a slight tendency to faulter in tile fourth round, was steady and calm, and gave a dispiav which was better Ilian a-y other he has given in Wahnatc. At whatever pace C-ltaux set he boxed accordingly The referee for the main bout was Mr Eric Pocock. of Rakaia. Mr J. Balfour refereed the preliminaries Preliminary Bonis fn schoolboy contests. John Keane, 7sl Gib, heat Maurice Eathorne. 7st 71h; Ray Eathorne. Gst 1 2Ui. heat John Webster. 7st: John Fraser. ssl Gib. drew with Winston Prue. 5s t 71b; George Foster, sst 101h beat Bill Hotthck, Gst 101b; Dave Shcdrian (Waimate). 9st Gib. drew with Rill S(erli"g (Timaru). 9st 41b; Rill Prattley (Thnani) 10 s t 2!b, beat Jim Sheddan (Waimate) 10<ft 21b; Bill Edgier (Temtika). ?st 61b heat Normaii Joyce (Timaru), Gst; Seniti Coi -rhicr (Timaru) 12?t 41b. drew with Alex. Mackintosh (Fairlle), ]2s( 71b.