BOXING & BOXERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 121, 23 May 1914, Page 15

BOXING & BOXERS

MATCHES IN AUSTRALIA A SUCCESSFUL TOURNAMENT. Although the provincial championships of the Wellington Boxing Association we're not held under the happiest of circumstances, the execrable weather seriously affecting the attendances, it is pleasing to be able to chronicle that it was a financial success, and the Citizens' Carnival Fund will benefit to the extent of between £30 and £35. The difficulty that always confronts the promoters of such fixtures is the dearth of available talent, but the officials have reason to congratulate themselves on the fact that the second night of the tournament provided some interesting sport. The "star" event was the final bout between J. W. Oliver (Cross Creek) and L. Stewart (Petone) in the feather-weight championship. The latter had met E. Leary (Wellington) in the semi-final, and had been awarded the verdict, his superior skill outweighing a marked tendency he had^to "hold" his opponent. When his turn came to meet Oliver the latter displayed his scientific skill, and his exhibition was a pretty one throughout. The Cross Creek man's forte was his upper-cut at close range, and whenever he had the opportunity he made Stewart's lower ribs the target of a quick-firing series of punches which were decidedly embarrassing as far as wind was concerned. Added to this, he swung quickly with his right and left, and generally he got home. Se was also . very quick on the get away, and it was this that saved him from receiving several blpws that looked dangerous. His opponent was outclassed all round, and it was a foregone conclusion that the result would be given in. favour of the visitor from " over the hill." A good deal of interest always attaches to q heavy-weight bout, for the reason that any man over 12st who has acquired a knowledge of how to use his gloves is liable at any moment to deal out a blow which will have disastrous results on the man who has to stand up -to him. The contest between A. G. Glading (Fetone) and S. Gerald (Carterton) only provided a mediam amount of entertainment, owing to the evenness of the contest. Gerald had a slight advantage on account of his nimbleness, but this did not save him from being the recipient of some heavy straight blows. ■The judge's decision was in his favour, and, on his showing throughout, he was undoubtedly entitled to it. HAGERTY AND O'GRADY. The next bout under the management of the local association is that between Hagerty, of New Zealand, and O'Grady, of Australia. The committee meets on Monday evening to make the final arrangements for the match, which is set down to take place in the Town Hall early next month. Hagerty is well known as a fighter of the forecful order. O'Grady comes with an excellent record as >ascientific boxer, and it will tak&^all-nis cleverness to withstand the attacks of the nuggety man from Timaru. The association is making a good start this season with such an important match, and it is to be hoped its efforts will be fully appreciated. PROBABLE VISIT FROM M'COY. If negotiations -which are at present occupying the attention of the^ Northern (Auckland) Boxing Association bear fruit, some oi the best-known fighters of the present day should be seen in action in the Queen City during the coming season. The intention of the present committee of the association is to look further afield than New Zealand for talent, and to secure the best men that the funds of the association will permit. Last year, it will be remembeifed (says tho Herald), Johnny Summers and Hock Keys were matched in Auckland. Summers received £150, including expenses, and Keys £80, but nevertheless, the contest was such a draw that the association cleared almost £200 on the evening. . During the regime of last year's committee, the brilliant Victorian lightweight, Herb. M'Coy, who has been matched against, the best that England and America have sent to this hemisphere, besides Australia's very best lightweights^ wrote stating that he desired a match in Auckland about next August. The secretary of the present committee, Mr. Moss Ballin, has been in communication with M'Coy, who evidently received satisfactory reports of New Zealand from Summers, Boyo Driscoll, and others who have been here, and M'Coy now wants to know the terms on which the Northern Boxing Association would receive him. When this matter was brought up at a recent meeting of the committee of the Northern Association it was pointed out that if good men could be secured from Australia, the association could afford to arrange matches for the coming season, which would bear an expenditure of £300 each. The advisability of getting xeally good men to visit Australia was discussed, and it was ultimately decided to write to Mr. W. Lawless, the wellknown boxing critic, asking him to submit a list of suitable boxers who would fight . here under the jurisdiction of the Northern Association, for purses of £100 win, lose, or draw, and_ reasonable expenses. These expenses, it was considered, would involve at least £50 for each man. In addition, the secretary was instructed to write to M'Coy, stating that the association proposed to give him a match here in August, and informing him of the proposed terms. Some informal discussion followed as to a suitable opponent for the Australian light-weight, and Frank O'Grady, the Australian who is to meet Hagerty in "Wellington next month, Denny Murphy, a_ light-weight, and others, were mentioned as suitable opponents. However, nothing was definitely decided, but should M'Coy decide to come here it is more than probable that some leading Australian light-weight will oppose him. It was further decided to point "out to Mr. Lawless that if good men were secured for Auckisnd the .Southern associations would, no doubt, be anxious to secure their services, though the Northern Association could guarantee nothing in that direction. SAYLOR'S SECOND DEFEAT OF MEHEGAN. It- was a wildly excited crowd that witnessed the battering of the Australian light-weight boxer, Mehegan, by Saylor, in their second meeting at the Stadium, says a Sydney critic. Milburn Saylor in twelve rounds beat the game Victorian. The American was hooted ; exception being taken to his vigorous unorthodox style of milling, Saylor is a. born fighter. While he is in the ring he is there to hit. and as he has the punch, the opponent is generally the one to go. Hughie Mehegan received a great ovation at the conclusion of the fight, He had made a brave showing. By the time the twelfth round had arrived Mehegan was^ obviously beaten. Countless weighty blows had reduced him to a state of utter helplessness, and Saylor speedily brought the finish. Mehegan, although tired and tottering, fought back grimly and bravely. Spartan fortitude kept the game boxer up to the scratch, but nature gave way. Mehegan's famous smother was much in evidence, but the American sent in ammunition that came up against the smother with a crash that fairly shook Mehegan. Saylor punched fiercely when Mehegan shaped up for the twelfth. Crashes to 'the body preceded a jolt jto j

the jaw,_ and the Australian went down. The police officer present rose to stop the contest, bufc the count had gone to nine before the referee was aware that a halt had been called. Saylor gave Mehegan the knock out in the 11th round in the first match. Saylor was to have met Fred Kay in Melbourne last Saturday, and next Saturday his second contest with Herb M'Coy'will take place. The conquering American has also covered ' Syd Deering's deposit for a match. Next Saturday Mehegan is to meet Joe Welling. Ihe new man is said to be an exceptionally clever boxer of the Jem Mace school, and is at the same time 'a hard hitter and spirited fighter. He has not had a championship fight in America, because promoters there do not encourage unknown men. Harry Stone, Pal Brown, and Milburn Saylor are_ three examples of American lightweights who had to go to Australia to make good their claims. EDDIE M'GOORTY. M'Goorty, whose last victory was over Jerry Jerome, at Brisbane, will figure in the ring at Melbourne next Saturday, when he meets Jules Duborg, the French middle-weight. FRANK ELLIS. Frank Ellis, the New Zealander, will probably meet young Schiff, a brilliant American feather-weight, at Brisbane shortly. Ellis has been making a name for himself in Australia. BILLY HANNAN. Billy Hannan, the first man to knock out Tim Tracy, meets Eddie house at West Maitland early next month.