BOXING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 95, 19 October 1908, Page 2

BOXING.

' MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND. [BY TEIEGEAPH. — PKKSS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, 17th October. The Northern Boxing Association held a successful carnival in TTiw Majesty's Theatre last evening, the house being well filled. Several exciting contests were decided. The first bout was between two light-weights, L. McCarthy and R. Craig (volunteer champion). The contest went the full six rounds. Craig's condition and hard-hitting powers prevailing in the latter round over M'Carthy's cleverness, j The bout was awarded to Craig. Two 9st 41b novices, Stanmore and Myles, unintentionally provided the comedy of the evening. They were very willing, but did not know much about boxing. The contest waa declared a draw at the end of six rounds. Montague and Little, bantam-weights, gave a clever six-round exhibition. The referee declared for Montague by the narrowest of margine. The event of the evening was between P. Kane (H.M.S. Pioneer) and J. Smith (Auckland) for the middle-weight championship of New Zealand and a purse of £30. Tho contest was for the best of ten rounds, and went to the limit. Both men were in fine condition, but Kane was speedier and cleverer, his footwork and variety of blows overshadowing Smith, who relied on weight and heavy swings with both hands. Kane apparently led throughout, and had Smith in a bad way once or twice in the concluding rounds. The_ referee's declaration that the contest was a draw evoked a hostile demonstration from the spectators, the opinion in favour of Kane being almost unanimous.