BOXING Tuna Scanlan Beats Ghana Champion

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 15

BOXING Tuna Scanlan Beats Ghana Champion

(New Zealand Press Association)

WCKUN). Nov. 23. The middleweight champion of New Zeeland. Tuna Scanlan, was declared the winner of his 12-round professional bout with the champion of Ghana, Johnny Melfab, at Oartaw Park this evening. lYie decision was unanimous. A great cheer went up from the crowd of about 9000 when the verdict was announced. Scanlan weighed list 41b, and Melfah, list Ijlb. Melfah won a good deal of respect He was an agile mover, who by shifts and feints made Scanlan miss a good deal and although outweighed, and, as far as

strength was concerned, plainly outvied, he was a game fighter. In contrast to Melfah's ineffective punching Scanlan always looked as if one of his "block-busting” lefthand punches might end the bout. One such punch came soon after toe start of the tenth round, and was followed within a minute by another powerful punch, only a shade off the point of the jaw. In the twelfth round. Scanlan brought up two rips or Uppercuts, which were so dangerous that Melfah swiftly sought the safety of a clinch. There was a good deal of clinching during the bout, and at one early stage Mr F. A. Pearcey. the referee, warned Melfah for holding. Jimmy Williams, the New Zealand welter-weight champion. celebrated his first fight in Auckland with a win when he beat the promising Aucklander. Sua Brown, on points in the main preliminary bout. The eight rounds consisted of mainly mauling fighting The decision was given a mixed reception by the crowd.