Briggs faces hard fight

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 56

Briggs faces hard fight

By

JOE HARNETT

The seasoned Canterbury professional middle-weight boxer, Eric Briggs, faces one of the toughest fights of his career when he meets Philip Kating, of the New Hebrides, at. the Caledonian Hall tomorrow afternoon. Kating is a young fighter of quality. He has been a Pacific Games gold medallist and in a professional career of nine bouts has conceded only one loss, and that a disputed decision at the

hands of the Fijian middleweight champion. Kating recently whipped the well-performed Viti Patterson in a 10-round contest in Auckland, That was no mean feat, as Patterson is always a dangerous opponent.

The New Hebridian, who is trained by a former multiple national champion, Bill Kini, is fast and aggressive, and has a reputation as a non-stop puncher. His opponent, Briggs, is a seasoned and canny middleweight. He is as durable as

teak, has the heart of a lion and, consequently, is one of the most popular professionals in the country. Last year Briggs handed out a beating to Lance Revill, a man tipped to become one of the best middleweights of our time.,This was an important, convincing victory and proved that Briggs can rise to the big occasion. Briggs has a formidable task in beating his young opponent, but his experience, courage and durability might well carry him to victory.