SPORTSMAN OF THE WEEK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 9

SPORTSMAN OF THE WEEK

NEVILLE MOULIN Neville Moulin, one of the most accomplished and most popular boxers ever to appear in a New Zealand boxing ring, at the age of 51 years is just as keen on the sport as he was when he gave pleasure in exhibitions of scientific boxing to so many boxing followers in all parts of New Zealand. He now weighs more than 12 stone and his activities are confined to teaching the young the artistry of boxing as he displayed it more than 20 years ago. Moulin had his first lessons at the age of 10 years from a master in Peter Cook, one of the cleverest boxers New Zealand has ever known and one who fought at a time when good men in the ring were numerous. Peter Cook taught Neville Moulin his own very clever footwork, always with the idea that a blow evaded is a point scored. For six years Moulin studied the game before he was allowed to enter a competition, but once started on the hard way he went from success to success and when he retired in 1932. he had put together a record of 200 fights for 183 wins, 12 losses and two drawn bouts. At one period Moulin changed his trainer and was immediately told to “cut out the footwork and fight.” This style, however, did not suit the naturally clever young boxer and it was under the charge of Jim Musson

and with such good sparring partner! as Tommy Armstrong, Norman Fisher,

Alex Thompson, Eddie Parker and Brian McCleary that he went to the top of the ladder. When Eugene Volaire was in Christchurch, Moulin was his chief sparring partner and from him the Christchurch man gained a wealth of knowledge. He took the Canterbury light-weight championship and two feather-weight titles including the South Island Championship held at Timaru. Moulin had to lower his colours, however, to an outstanding boxer-fighter in Johnny Leckie, whom hfe describes as the greatest he has met. When he turned professional he had five fights but found that decisions were often given for fighting instead of boxing, and science and footwork went for nought. Ready to take on any game in the ring. Neville Moulin was coached in ju-jitsu by the well-known Japanese expert, Kameda, and when 17 years old he won the Boy Scouts championship against all weights. There is hardly any sport in which he has not taken part and when he was persuaded to give up boxing and go in for wrestling, he showed his ability here by winning seven of the eight bouts he contested. He found this game too tough, however, and did not carry on. Interest in Other Sports When a pupil at the school for the Deaf, Sumnet, he played soccer for the Sumner Club and later played Rugby for Technical and Marist juniors an< League for Linwood. He was equally at home at half-back or five-eighths but played most of his games as wing-three-quarters. It was while playing Rugby that he noticed the quiCK sidestepping and clever footwork of Bill Elvy and persuaded him to take on , boxing. Elvy proved as elusive in the ring as on the football field and he : took part in many a lively bout in Christchurch boxing rings. Bicycle--1 racing, table tennis, hockey, swim- ; ming, running and Australian Rules football all came within the pro- . gramme of games he has played, and ’ for several years he was a member of , the Corsair Bay Swimming and Lifesaving Club. He was never a champion : at any of these sports although' many , times" he was among the prize-winners. ’ For some years he was associated with Alex Thompson as a coach of boxing . at the Crichton Cobbers Club and a ' trained masseur, his services have been . eagerly availed of by overseas athletes. ' When training for boxing Neville Moulin did not spare himself. He is ’ a great believer in walking, especially i on the hills, for improving the footwork. and frequent excursions of his included a walk from his’ home at ; Linwood to Governor’s Bay, to Lyttel- , ton, and Sumner. 5 Neville Moulin says he has had so much good sport and fellowship » out of boxing that he cannot leave the i game alone and recently he and Norman Fisher entered into a partner - . ship to train young boxers. With the - extra poundage that he now carries [ he can still make a very merry bout , for any one training under his direc- [ tion. For 27 years he has been in or I very near the boxing ring. His advice ; to nis pupils is to cultivate footwork , and ringcraft and develop into boxers instead of fighters. This was for a boy’s . own safety, for far too many fighters , bear the marks of the trade in cauliflower ears, broken noses and punch t drunkenness.

“Boxing is a great sport for any young fellow, for it teaches him to control his temper. The man who loses his head has not the ghost of a chance against the man who has learned his ringcraft and is self-con-trolled. When going into the ring make up your mind to win and keep smiling. This always upsets the rash fighters.” said the popular Neville Moulin, the father of Lex Moulin, a promising young boxer who seems to be more interested in Rugby football during the winter months.