BOXING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 79, 27 December 1928, Page 14

BOXING

FEATHERWEIGHT CONTEST

GRIFFITHS DEFEATS McAlister

Palmerston North, December 26. Tommy Griffiths, of Dunedin, to-night beat Bihy McAlister, bantam champion of Australia, in a 15-round professional feather-weight contest on points. The fight was one-sided and McAlister was not up to expectations. Griffiths forced the light from the start and won by a big margin. McAlister sealed Sst. 51b. and Griffiths Sst. lOJlb. The fight was for £l5O. The announcer, Mr. Dudson, told a fair house that owing to an accident to his ankle Mr. Earl Stewart could not officiate as referee. Mr. A. Maxwell was the referee for the evening.

The first round was fairly even. Griffiths scored with his left aud with rights to the face early. Later he went in when McAlister had slightly the better of the argument. McAlister slipped after an exchange in the second round, but was up off the floor immediately. McAlister landed a straight left to Griffiths’s face in the third. It was apparent that Griffiths was : tronger and was going in, but McAliSter was doing the leading. McAlister, who seemed very fit, scored with several blows to the face in the fourth round. Griffiths was not slow in replying, using his left both high and low. Griffiths connected on several occasions.

McAlister had the better of the infighting in the sixth round. McAlister appealed for an alleged low punch, in the seventh, but “fight-on” was the order. Griffiths tore in in the eighth round, which was more spectacular. So far, the men had been boxing at a distance, but Griffiths bored in, nnd McAlister met him in the face several times. Griffiths was warned for low hitting in the ninth round. The fight was held up for a time while a fresh pair of gloves were put on the Australian, as his broke. McAlister was beginning to tire, nnd Griffiths made his opponent miss badly several times when he ducked. This did not act twice in the eleventh round, the Australian meeting him. Griffiths was naying attention to the other’s ribs, while McAlister preferred the New Zealander’s face. The twelfth round opened with two good lefts to McAlister's face, and the Dunedin boy was still doing the lion's share of the fighting. McAlister was somewhat tired, nnd much quieter, but Griffiths was confident. nnd fighting steadily in the devil’s round. He had easily the better of the round, leading persistently, and making his onponent miss several times. A bright passage occurred with a quick exchange, forcing Griffiths on to the ropes at the end of the fourteenth. Otherwise, the round was even. Griffiths doing the bulk of the attack. The last round opened ouietly. following the order to break. Griffiths 'went for his opponent's face, landing several. The round was quiet for a last round. The decision was enthusiastically received.

PRELIMINARIES. M. Candy. Sst. 61b., Palmerston North, secured the decision over W. Drinkwater, Sst. 31b. (Palmerston North), in a willing featherweight contest. C. Forbes. Sst. 1211 b. (Rongotea), made a nlueky but ineffective effort against. H. Thomas, Ost 61b. (Wellington). a far more skilled and heavier boxer. N. Cubitt. 10st. 21b. (Wellington), m a lightweight fight, won from A. Candy lOst. 61b. (Palmerston North). The contest was willing, nnd what Candy lost in science, he made up for in aggressiveness.

The welter-weights were E. Downes. lOst. 11b. (formerly of Palmerston North but now of Wellington) and M. Brookie. 9st. 12Jlb. (Wellington). Downes proved superior in strength and experience, this being more apparent in the last round, when he had his own way. His win was popular. C. Hurne. Sst. Sib., bantam champion of New Zealand (Wellington) beat T. Oxlev. Sst. 121 b. fPahintua). In an interesting and willing tight Hurne showed well as a boxer in the first, round against the stronger boy. but Oxley forced the naco in the second. In the third round Oxlcv tired sliHitly and was in a bad wav at times. Hurne went right .after his man in the last round nnd made the fight until the last, when he tired, and Oxley’s chances looked momeninrily brighter for a knock-ouu had he rallied enough.

HAY RETAINS WELTERWEIGHT TITLE By Telegraph.—Press Association Westport. December 26. To-night, before a large and paying house, Artie Hay (holder), lOst. 521b5., defeated Reg. Trowcrn (challenger), lOst. 51bs., in a bout for the welterweight championship and for “The Truth” Belt. The fight went the full distance and was of an even nature, Hay winning on points. The decision met with a mixed reception.