Betts boxes well but Clearwater wins clash

Press, 28 May 1979, Page 32

Betts boxes well but Clearwater wins clash

By

JOE HARNETT

The black United States serviceman. Maurice Betts, boxed prettily but not well enough against Ken Clearwater (Papanui) in the main bout of the Canterbury Boxing Association’s tournament at the Caledonian Hall yesterday afternoon.

Before the bout started Betts entertained the audience with his version of the “Ali Shuffle.”

The bout was full of action, both men contributing to the fun with speedy boxing and some unusual facial contortions.

Clearwater was the heavier puncher, but Betts darted in and out constantly and was a most elusive target. In the last round Clearwater ‘clinched the decision with some hard right-hand punches to the jaw of the dazed Betts.

The highly promising Crichton Cobbers Club boxer, Avon Placid, flattened Paul Gardener (Barrys) late in the second round of their bout. Until then the fight was even with Placid unable to fathom Gardener’s southpaw style. Placid has a rosy future in the ring and Gardener, inspite of this reverse, is too good a boxer to be beaten like this again. Brian Fahey (Bells gym) produced the best punch of the season to knock out Graeme McGinn of Richmond. The punch, a crashing right-cross to the jaw, was perfectly delivered and the referee, Mr M. V. Drury, did not even bother to start a count. McGinn is a raw boxer with no fighting experience, but is not short of courage. In an unscientific but exciting brawl, Steve Herbert narrowly defeated Neil Neemia 'of Crichton Cobbers. Both men traded booming blows willingly and the patrons were thoroughly entertained for the entire three rounds. Tony Bell, son and grandson of illustrious fighters of

yesteryear, carried the name and reputation proudly when he comfortably outpointed Daryll O’Keefe of the New Brighton R.S.A. club. Bell used a good straight left punch and a somewhat wild right cross to build up his points lead. O’Keefe, who is somewhat smaller, fought well and showed courage in the face of Bell’s onslaughts. In a fast-moving bout, the aggressive Lani Toomalatai carried too many guns for the New Brighton southpaw, Tim Coster, and won a close decision.

The last round was particularly exciting with both boxers trading blows toe-to-toe. Toomalatai is a very compact boxer and moves very well for one so young. Temuka’s Paul Jones was too proficient for Kevin Rickerby of Bells gym and won comfortably with a fine display of two-handed punching. The much less experienced Rickerby lasted the bout well and will certainly improve in time. Mike Browne (Richmond W.M.C.), having his first fight, was pitted against the tough Willie Toomalatai of Barrys gym and was found wanting in experience. He was counted out on his feet half-way through round two, Browne showed grit in this fight but Toomalatai’s speed and experience were insurmountable hurdles. Crichton Cobbers’ popular battler, Clive Bishop, and the highly rated Lloyd Griffen, of Oamaru, turned on three rounds of action with a narrow points decision 'going to Griffen. j These boys are young but experienced and their boxing was of a high standard.

Results.— Wayne Alexander (Barrys) beat Andrew Miller (Ashbur- ! ton); Richard Fahey (Bells) i beat H. Munro (Oamaru); ' Simon O’Grady (Ashburton) beat Mike Kelly (Oamaru); 1 Tod Hazeldine (Barrys) beat ; Bernard Miller (Oamaru); P. : Whitburn (Oamaru) beat ’

Mike Bell (Bells); Shane Everest (Barrys) beat David Anderson (Ashburton); Steven Lowrie (Papanui) beat Mark Smith (Wooltson W.M.C.. The referees were Messrs M. V. Drury and J. Hayes, and the judges were Messrs Drury, Hayes, H. Lloyd, an? W. Lightfoot.