BOXING

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 12

BOXING

THE HUMOUR OF ONE SQUIRES. (Br "Meecubt.") The Finance of Lang and Lester. There has been a halt in the happenings this week. The only piece of news of any importance shows that the halt is to continue as far as big matches in Australia are concerned. It is to the effect that there will be no return matcn between Lang and Lester, and tho reasons therefor are various. As was stated last week, Lang did not seem keen on the meeting unless he were guaranteed .£SOO win, lose, or draw. Naturally, theso terms were not acceptable to Lester, and a compromise was arrived at by Lang reducing his figure to .£4OO. With this, the American had to bo content, and, albeit very dissatisfied, he set about raising the guarantee. Then came a further hitch. Just as matters seemed to be fairly in train again, the Stadium authorities put in their ultimatum, and demanded 40 per cent, of the "gate." This was the same proportion that was paid them for the first meeting between the men, but, as "Tho Amateur" points out in tho "Referee," the conditions for . that set-to wero entirely different. As ho says:— "Certainly that proportion was allowed, and deducted from tho takings in connection with the meeting which resulted in Lester's disqualification, but then Jlr. M'lntosh was incurring extraordinary expense. The fares to Australia of Lang and his trainer, Harry Nathan, were paid, and tho cost of three round trips from Vancouver to Sydney guaranteed Lester, 'Tommy' Burns, and another, who was to havo accompanied the two boxers named. The position was altogether • different for a second contest, no outlay beyond that attendant upon locally-arranged matches being necessary. The Stadium management, no doubt, know what thev are doing; but I am sure if Mr. M'lntosh or Mr. Cevell had been hero such an unfair request would never have been made." However, bo that as it may, this move the proposition for Lester. There was too obviously nothing in it. After deducting 40 per cent, of the "gate" for the management, and paying Lang his .£4OO from tho balance, it was plainly to be seen that his youth and inexperience .were being exploited to the detriment of his pocket. Wherefore ho declined to havo anymore to do with it. Meanwhile in the midst of thu argument, Lang discovered another obstacle—that his hands wero badly swollen, and in need of a rest He returned to Melbourne, and left tho discussion to burn itself out. And so tho matter rests. How Murphy Came to Grief, conclusion to tho Doss" Burns-Denis Murphy match at Wanganui last week is thus described by a local paper:-- .-:■'. "First round: After some sparring the men-got to close quarters, and Burns sent in a couple of upper-cuts. Ho continued to havo tho best of what fighting there was, getting several up-per-cutsjiome, including a good one to the body. Murphy was cautioned three times for holding, and Burns once for the samo offence. It.was a tame round, but Burns undoubtedly showed to most advantage, and already looked a winner. "Second round: Burns led, and landed on his opponent's nose. Murphy was 'rattled,' and mixed things, .scoring with a left jab, but again ho was cautioned for holding. Tho referee here stepped into the ring, and cautioned Murphy once more. However, tho latter again offended directly after, and the referee ordered the men to their corners, and declared Burns tho winner." Murphy is extremely anxious for another chance to "even up" with the I'etone man, and is willing to meet him on any terms if any of the associations caro to handle the affair, and, if tho Pctono man is willing. Murphy has now learnt his lesson, and is unlikely to offend again. He must have acquired the "holding" habit through his association with Clabby in Australia, but ho has been shown that it is not to be borne with in New Zealand, and, in future, will conduct himself accordingly. Squires—Fighter, Farmer, Humorist. It is stated in all seriousness that "Bill" Squires is coming back into the ring again to meet Lang in Brisbane in' August., The vaunted "lure of the footlights" seems to run a bad second to tho drawing powers of the "squared circle," judging by the reluctance of tho "exponents of the fistic art" who have outgrown their usefulness to retire into private life. The, "Bulletin" waxes derisive at this latest exainplo to this effect:— The chief end of tho pugilist is to keep himself before the public; and, to give him his due, he generally does it, somehow or other. After taking a prize for wheat, William Squires felt a hankering to get back into the public eye, so, notwithstanding that he has lost several punches, and likewise fights, he is coining back to tho ring. The coaxing of the gentio pota<toes is to bo suspended for a while, and on August 9 Squires will lot loose his latest-found punch on "Bill" Lang at Brisbane. It is as quick a way of raising capital as any, and carries no interest. The wonder is that William has never taken to the stage, as ho is a first-class humorist. : Ring Oddments. Arthur ' Douglas and' the American, Frank Picato, contest their return match at Brisbane to-day. Those aro two of tho men for whom the Wellington board are negotiating as possible opponents for Arthur Kelly—"Dave" Smith's sparring partner, now in the Dominion. So the outcome will he looked for with interest locally. On Tuesday last "Billy" Elliott was to havo met "Sailor" Carpenter at the Gaietv, Sydney, and on June 12 he clashes with Frank Thorno in Melbourne. Percy Hale is now getting good matches. On June 20 ho is to be pitted against "Itanji" Burns over the full 20 round?. Meanwhile he was scheduled to have met "Tom" Townsend on. Wednesday night.