Youngest Rackley the best?

Press, 21 August 1976, Page 52

Youngest Rackley the best?

By

JOE HARNETT

Perry Rackley, a member of the famous boxing family from Nelson, and one of New Zealand’s most promising boxers, will meet Thomas Brennan, of Christchurch, in the main supporting bout to a professional fight at the Christchurch Town Hall tomorrow afternoon.

i The professional bout between Jeff Rackley, Perry s [ brother, and Sopo Elisara, is [the main contest of 19 to be .staged in the James Hay Theatre.

Perry, aged 16, the voung-j est of the four fighting Rackley brothers, has been boxing since he was seven, and has had 43 fights. His

wins include two national amateur titles.

Because of his proficiency, Rackley has much trouble finding’opponents,, and in the last nine tournaments he has attended, has had only two exhibition bouts.

Rackley’s father, Les, who is also his trainer, travelled 7000 miles last year) endeavouring to match him. 1 Perry, who is considered to be potentially the best of; the Rackley brothers, last fought on July 12 and had; [an easy win. He is an ex-i [ cellent ring technician and[ [has a good fast left jab, and! [a very hard right cross. i His opponent. Brennan, is I a t all boxer, who has been successful in Canterbury rings for the last three .years. Although not as exiperienced as his opponent,

Brennan is a very cagey and correct boxer, who is hard to hit when he uses his height advantage.

This will be Brennan’s hardest test to date, and if he’boxes as well, is expected to give a very good account of himself. In another amateur bout, [Robert Gibbs (Grichton Cob- [ ers Ciub) will meet Pau! [Tarrant (Temuka). Gibbs is a ■ non-stop fighter with a good [boxing style and has had [several impressive wins i recently.

Tarrant has been boxing for some years and has also had a number of excellent wins. The outcome of this bout will probably depend on the relative boxing ability of the two boys, but Tarrant could be a narrow winner* • - - —B-.-S.-_

Malcolm Platt, the aggressive bantam-weight of the Woolston Working Mens Club, will have a hard fight when he meets the unbeaten Tory Attwood, of Timaru. Although Attwood’s record is unblemished, and he has beaten some very good boxers, he will be hardpressed to add to his victories against. Platt who is fighting his best now. Other interesting bouts ■scheduled include: ■ Roy Peters (Timaru) v Tito [Tuataupe (Fidows Gym), [Richard Herewiki (South Christchurch R.S.A.) v Hopepi Fidow (Fidows), Kerry Tinkler (Linwood Boys Club) v Kevin Nicol (C.C.C.), John Dobbin (Fidows) v Barry Slater (W.W.M.C.), and Mike Greli (Fidows) v Wayne Benny (W.WJICJ. _