BOXING WAXES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 105, 28 January 1931, Page 13

BOXING WAXES

Two Americans Coming THE ADVENT OF .BLAY (By “Right Cross.”) Through the enterprise of the Wellington Boxing Association, patrons or the sport can look forward to excellent entertainment in the near future. Mr. Earl. Stewart has fulfilled the commission to proceed to the United States, and engage two good featherweights to come to this country under contract to the local association. . After looking over the lads in the western and eastern coasts, Mr. Stewart engaged Allan Whitlow (Ost.), or Arizona, and Joey Thomas (9st. 21b.), of Chicago, and sailed with his charges from San Francisco on the Makura on January 21. With such an experienced judge as Mr; Stewart to .do the selecting, it can be taken for granted that both Whitlow and Thomas will be boxers who will please New Zealand patron?. If they come up to the calibre of Pete Sarron and Bobby Blay, feathers should fly when the/Americans enter the ring here.

Nursing His Wounds. ... Tommy Donovan is still licking the wounds he received in his hectic encounter with Bobby Blay at the_Wmter Show Stadium, Wellington, last Wednesday night, and it comes as no surprise to hear that he has called off his contest with Jack Jones at Stratford on February 2. / _ This may affect the meeting of vonovan and Blay at New Plymouth on r ebruary 7, as the Stratford association will naturally hold Donovan to his contract to appear first under their banner. The Wellington association, with its usual sportsmanship, released Blay for a contest in Auckland, and it is likely that the Northern Boxing Association will import Archie Hughes, of Australia, for the occasion. Hughes is one of the few boxers in the Commonwealth who have gone the full distance with Blay. Hughes made a good impression in the Dominion about two years ago, when he met Leckie and Griffiths, and will probably be engaged to appear against the ‘American importations. With Bobby Blay, the two Americans, Tommy Donovan, Johnnie Leckie, Archie Hughes, and H. Johns all on the warpath, there should be plenty doing during the next few. months.

New Lightweight Champion. < Harry Johns wrested the lightweight ehampionship of the Dominion from Hector Leckie at Auckland on Monday night. Johns won the amateur featherweight championship of New Zealand in 192 J, and jvas awarded the Jamieson Belt at that tourney for the most scientific boxer. He was too clever for Leckie on Monday, and took the title on points.

The Americans. Mr. Earl Stewart is due to arrive with Whitlow and Thomas on February 9, and after a few weeks in which to become acclimatised they will get to work. As both are under contract to engage in three contests, Wellington patrons should enjoy som“ bright entertainment.

Will Ye No Come Back Again? Llew Edwards, the brilliant young Australian I featherweight, who recently pleased so much in his contests with Johnnie Leckie and Tommy Donovan, returned to Australia for his Christmas dinner, and stated that he would be back in the Dominion bright and early in the New Year.

It is by no means certain, however, that Edwards will be anxious to hurry back to New Zealand. There is at present! in this country a dangerous young man named Blay, and young Llew Edwards may sensibly decide to let the Tasman divide them. s A Giant-Killer.

Toppling over Fred Young in the seventh round of their contest for the heavyweight championship of Victoria at the Melbourne .Stadium recently, Leo Bandias had the satisfaction of seeing the title holder, a much heavier and more experienced man,' counted' out by Vai Quirk. Bandias had found a vulnerable spot in the champion's defence. His guard was often low. After two minutes and 30 seconds of the seventh round, Bandias sent a right to the jaw. Down crashed the champion. When he fell his head struck the floor. He rolled and writhed, but was helpless. In 10 seconds he was deprived of his title. It was a sensational ending. Bandins had fought a shrewd, tactical battle. He outwitted the. heavier man and his retreats, followed by dangerous rights, proved the undoing of Young. Bandias has a powerful punch in his right hand. He will prove a tough customer to defeat. Four perfectly-timed rights defeated Young. Hawke's Bay Contests. The Hawke’s Bny Boxing Association decided to match C. J. Thompson, the young Hawke's Bay lightweight, who has turned professional, with Jim Broadfoot, of Auckland. The bout, which will be of ten rounds, will take place on February 20 at Hastings. It is hoped to arrange for Len Knuckey, of Hastings, to meet an outsider in another ten-round bout on the same evening.