BOXING

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25581, 24 August 1948, Page 6

BOXING

CHAMPIONSHIPS BOUTS J. O’CONNOR AND C. HAY WIN TITLES J. O’Connor, bantam-weight, and C. Hay, feather-weight, each won a Canterbury boxing title at the Civic Theatre last evening when the Canterbury Amateur Boxing championships were commenced First arrangements were to decide all the titles last evening, but nominations were so numerous that it was found impossible to get through the whole programme in one night. Semi-finals and finals in the remaining bouts will be fought next Monday. O’Connor showed himself a polished boxer-fighter, and the bantam-weight title appeared to be in his safe keeping from the start of his bout with C. Herriot, who had beaten D. Lewis (Ashburton) in the first bout. O’Connor had almost a walkover when he met T. Grey in the semifinals, and Grey appeared to know so little about boxing that the referee, Mr P. C. Jiawes, awarded O’Connor the bout in the first round before a serious blow had been struck. It was a wise decision. In the final O’Connor had a fairly stiff job against Herriot for the first two rounds, but in the third he piled up points and finished up a clear winner. O’Connor, a clever boxer with more ring experience than his opponent, led with a snappy left which was followed by an effective right cross, and his clever footwork kept him well away from the wellintentioned right swings of his opponent. Feather-weight Final

In the feather-weight final C. Hay (Ashburton), who had beaten R. Saville by a technical knock-out. in the second round of the semi-final, put up a good performance when he won on points tfrom a fresh opponent in W. Underhay. Both the finalists went into the fight with zest and there were many merry exchanges in the three rounds. Hay carried the fight from the start and in Underbuy he met a youth who was always ready to exchange punches. Hay was the more rugged, and his heavy right swings had an effect on Underhay, who was down three times in the second round, but came back fighting harder than ever in the third, and was less distressed than his opponent when the bout ended Hay was aggressive from the start, and piled up enough points in the first two rounds to ensure him the decision Something new was seen in a boxing ring when C. J Fogarty (13 stone) appeared wearing a hair-net for his bout with P. Dunn. For the greater part of two rounds the audience was well entertained. for though the first minute was quiet and uneventful. Dunn then stung Fogarty with a left to the head The effect was to stir Fogarty into vigorous action and he gave Dunn a merry time for the rgst of the round, losing his hairnet in the process. The second round wds fought at a great pace until Dunn clipped Fogarty on the chin with a right hook and Fogarty was counted out. Dunn, who weighed 14st 21b. was thoroughly exhausted and after getting the decision appeared too tired even to rise from the corner stool on which he had been seated. Dunn may become the Canterbury heavyweight champion for A D McKenzie, who had drawn the bye, was hurt in the Canterbury-Otago Rugby match and is not likely to fight for some time C. C McDonald and S. Kett gave a vigorous exhibition in the fly-weight semifinal and McDonald will now meet J. 'J. winder in the final This should provide close bout. In the light-weight N. Britt appeared to be well in front on points from J. Hawes when a low blow caused his disqualification.' Results:— Fly-weight Semi-final.—C. C. McDonald 7st 121 b beat S Kett 7st 101 b. Bantam-weight Semi-finals.—C. Herriot Bst 61b beat D. Lewis Bst 61b; J. O’Connor Bst beat T. Grey Bst 21b. Final.—O’Connor beat Herriot. Feather-weight Semi-final.—C. Hay Bst 121 b beat R. Saville Bst 121 b. Final.—Hay beat W. Underhay 9st. Light-weight Semi-finals.—J. Hawes 9st 51b beat N. Britt 9st 81b; R. Sadler 9st 71b beat J. Dee 9st 31b.

Welter-weight Semi-final.—W. Ellery lost 21b beat S. Cameron lOst 21b. Middle-weight Semi-finals.—G. Bowman list 21b beat S. Butterworth lOst 101 b; A. H. Whittle list beat J. McMahon list 21b. Light Heavy-weight Semi-finals.—T. Tonks 12st beat J. J. Kruse list 21b; W. Russell list 101 b beat S Tagatule 12st. Heavy-weight Semi-finals.—P. E. Dunn 14st 21> beat C. J. Fogarty 13st. PETERSON KNOCKS OUT GORDON (P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 23. With two perfect short lefts in quick succession to the head, the Australian welter-weight boxer, Laurie Peterson. lOst 101 b, knocked out Clarrie Gordon, lOst 31b, of Auckland, In the ninth round of a professional catch-weight contest this evening. Gordon, who was the aggressor throughout, had a handy lead on points when he was knocked down, but Peterson, who had been visibly tiring from the sixth round, was looking for an opening for three rounds. When he saw his chance he punched quickly and accurately.