BOXING.
Tho decision of the Wellington Association ' 'to make tho forthcoming tourney '; at, the Opera Houso in June -'wholly an amateur, fixture.will be favourably received by local participators in tho sport. Tho members cf the sub-committee appointed to look into tho matter wero ablo to report'.that,'their inquiries as to tho talent- available in tlus pity justified them in recommending that this course bo followed, and although one or two • of; tho delegates present 'voiced' .the' opinion that a. better entertainment - wiuld result from tho inclusion of a-gcod professional bout, the ccmmittco decided to stand-by the ■ amatour section. It hot. remains for lccal i boxers to justify tliis consideration by work- ; ing up a good entry-list, and making "as gcod ' a show as possible.; Lovers of the companion sport of - wrestling will' also, be: ca'tered for, ,as a section of the programme''\rill be devoted to this department—entries being invited for a catch-as-eatch-can contest. ". , ' . : World-cliampion "Tommy" .Burns . is still picking up .easy money on his European tour. His latest exploit—one can hardly call it a.n achievement—was cabled to Sydney, under dato April 18, as follows:—" 'Tommy' Burns, tho world's boxing champion, beat 'Jewey.' Smithy tho South African-champion, in a match in Paris, in tho fifth round."- Commenting on this, the "Referee" sayd :--r"Tho boxing world knows no man any way prominent bearing the namo of 'Jewey/ Smith.'-;. 'Jewey' Cooko went from England' to Sout-li Africa . 'somo years ago, and after engaging in several . battles with moro or less success, hs! disap- : pearod from his usual haunts,- and has never : since fivurcd publicly, as far as. I have been ; :able to ascertain."-• rV ; '■> . . \. Tho champion has .another..affair oil hand . on May 11, when he is due fco meet his' erstwhile rival for tho big titlo, "Bill".. Squires, -tho-'lost Australian darling.- The" affair 1 is to take place at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea, and though it cannot bo looked-.ujxin as being, of a serious character it will givo the Australian a chanco to'■ restore ■ himself-, iii -the good graces of t-ho boxing world, in the esti- , illation of which lie has sunk pretty low. since his disastrous American, tour. Apropos of Burns, latest advices 'sliow. that l his rnuch-talked-of meeting with "Jack" Johnson, ■ the big negro who has been so anxious ' to get to grips with him, is off, arid tho appended extract, from tho "Referee's s ': latest American ■ letter, shpws t-lio immensity of tho inoney question, when men" of. this calibre- are engaged.. (It will be 'remembered that ; Burns beat" tho • Roche referred ' to": in Dublin on 'St.-' .Patrick's '.'.Day'; iii'". 6no ; .round:):—Before the go:with Roche camo off, : Burns agreed'to: box"Johnson in England, a ' band of sports over there 1 having pouceived tho notion of 'handling the match -in London in June. Wo think' here that Tommy was largely, interested in'tha promotion end of the venture. Anyhow, Johnson was offered' a .'thousand pounds, for. his share;' irrenf/cctive of the result-,'of the, contest, and. he was quito fluttered oyer it. Ho wanted to, fight Burns, but didn't want to,get all tlio worst of t-ho firiancial end of the deal, and wliilo lie was trying to make up his mind what to do tho ' offer was- withdrawn. Now, Jack says'tlio wholo business was merely a'bluff pn'Burns's part. : Tlio _ English, promoters say they changed their minds because Johnson Demanded' £200 for expenses, and-a whisper comes-across' that if tho sehemo had g-one through. Burns was to -have': received ■ 30.000 dollars; for his "bit.-" " ■ ; . The.two ox-world"champions,' "Battling" ! Nelson and " Jimmy " Britt, camo together 'i 'again at Los Angelos; oil'-March'2 last, but . the figth, which is described as being a poor exhibition, was indecisive, no verdict- being given, and, .as usual, both men claiming the victory.. , .. 1 : . t
(By Mr.ncDRT.)
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Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 187, 2 May 1908, Page 9
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620BOXING. Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 187, 2 May 1908, Page 9
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