In the Ring

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 17

In the Ring

JACK FINNEY OUTCLASSED

FAIRHALL'S VICTORY

NOTES AT RANDOM.

(By "Milo.")

Any hopes which the hard-hitting young Australian, Jack Finney, may have had of defeating his brilliant countryman, Tommy Fairhall, crashed with surprising suddenness at the Palace Theatre, Petcne, on Monday evening, when Fairhall technically knocked him out in the fourth round of a scheduled fifteen round contest for a purse of £150. Not that Finney failed to give of his best, under the circumstances, or in any way showed himself to be a "false alarm"; far from it. As would be expected from a boy ,with his splendid credentials, he fought back all the way, but was clearly outclassed by a boxer who is one of the best men who have visited the Dominion for some time.

It was stipulated by the articles of agreement that both boxers should make 9st 101b at the ringside, and as Fairhall tipped the beam A two pounds over the required weight, he was obliged to forfeit his guarantee of £25

Accompanied by his trainer-manager, Jack Donnelly, Fairhall, with his seconds, Percy Charles, Mai. Warwick, and Harry Barlow, was first in th» ring and was accorded a great ovation as he clambered through the ropes. A reception, no less enthusiastic,' awaited Finney, as with his manager, Ben Tracey, and his seconds, he made his bow to the audience. As the boys moved to the centre of the ring with the initial roue they offered in style and build a distinct contrast. Fairhall, cool and confident with a tall well-moulded body, moved about the ring with a speedy deliberateness, while his opponent, shorter ■ and sturdily built, advanced with his arms held closely to his side, his head slightly forward on his chest, and his right hand foremost. It was Fairhall's fight all the way, and although on isolated occasions ''the southpaw" managed to connect with a dangerouslooking left, he never looked like seriously. bothering hia opponent. Down as the gong announced the end of the' first' round, he recovered with surprising rapidity during the short interval, only to be again badly punished during the succeeding . rounds. He appeared to be very open, rarely attempting ,to block, and relying most on his headwork to keep his chin off the gloves of his rival. ".Moving back : before the vigorous assaults, he usually endeavoured to support himself on the lowermost rope and move his head out of danger, hut Fairhall always camo in with impunity, connecting freely with both hands. - The end came early in the fourth round when Fairhall, catching his man on the chin with a heavy right swin" as Finney moved off the ropes, dropped him to the canvas. Game, but groggy, the beaten man reached for the ropes to pull himself on to his feet, and was in an upright position when the count had reached seven. He swayed about, and as Fairhall moved in to deliver the one punch which was necessary the referee, Mr. Earl Stewart, wisely intervened, raising the winner's hand in token of victory. A very minor section of the audience raised their vqices in dissent, and even ; the beaten' boxer was only physically conquered, as, collecting his scattered thoughts, he made some attempt at requesting the referee to allow him,-to continue. In interfering when he did, Mr. Stewart merely discharged his duty. Only words of praise can be found for both boxers—Finney for his great heart and sterling gameness, and Fairhall for his clean, clever tactics, and general brilliance. The loser, hero of many star fights with Australia's best, was beaten by . a boxor, who, when he returns to the Commonwealth, will be well in line for a battle for the championship. His punches were delivered with great force, his timing and jadgment were excellent while his footwork and speed of action enabled him to easily evade almost everything that Finney sent across. His fighting was of the class that delights the "fans"—spectacular and aggressive, coming in all the time, and punching hard and often. His victory, the sixth since his arrival in New Zealand, was. a good one, especially in view of the calibre of his opponent, who has boxed twenty hard rounds with the incomparable Filipino, Silvino Jamito, the only man in Australia to see out the distance with Euprene . Criqui. Fairhall's fttture career will be watched with interest by the many New Zealand sportsmen who predict his rise to fistic fame. Before leaving for .Sydney by the Tahiti, Finney, through his manager, Ben Tracy, informed "Milo" that he was going back to his homeland; not because he was disappointed, but because there he would be kept much busier in the fistic line than would be the case if he remained.in New"Zealand. He had several offers of other matches in Maoriland, but had decided that having regard to all the circumstances, he would be far better off "on the other side." He desired to thank all the good New Zealand sportsmen for the courteous manner in which he had been received, and added'that he would leave behind many newly-acquired friends in the Dominion. (All New Zealanders certainly wish this jzame little fighter the best of luck.—"Milo.")

NOTES.

One of the best exhibition bouts that has been seen in the- district for some time was staged at Fetone on Monday evening^ when H. Adams, from Denny Murphy's Herbert street school, crossed gloves with Mark Carroll, of the Tiracey stable, the holder of the North Island bantamweight, championship. Both lads went in to have a punch, and it was then that Adams showed himself to be clean and a decidedly clever little boxer. Time and time again, Carroll, using his experience to advantage, forced his man to the ropes, but the defensive work of Adams was splendid, and the way he blocked with his gloves and forearm and then slipped neatly from his dangerous position was really worth seeing. As yet, Carroll knows a little too much for the Herbert street boy, but when Adams has gained some more experience he should seriously bother any boy in his class. It was at first arranged that at this tournament he was to box Ted Morgan, but the latter weighed in at Bst 111b, and Denny Murphy wisely declared "-no fight.''

A very favourable impression among Australian critics ha 3 ' evidently been created by the New Zealand amateur, Charlie Purdy, concerning whom the "SpoTting Globe" says:— "Among the boxers, C. Purdy (N.Z.) stood out head and shoulders above the rest of the competitors. He showed speed and footwork worthy of Jimmy Semmeris. After seeing him in action I can quite understand how he gained a decision over Bert Ristuccin last year. Purdy has evidently done some boxing with jimmy Clabby or with someone who has learned from Clabby. He has many of the great middleweight's moves. He ducks, sidesteps, or rolls to either side «.llh equal facility In G. Sullivan (Victoria) he met a. runl boy, Sullivan hue itu-

proved greatly, and against anyone else Would have showed up to' grea"t advantage. He had bad luck to strike such a -wf.l o theAvisp as Purdy. In Puidy New Zealand has a man who should do well at the Olympic Games. He has only one fault that I can see. He was inclined to over-reach with his ri°-ht hand." .' ', • °

Tne aggressive Taita boy. Mick Moran, revenged himself O n Monday evening on. A.. Brown, .fy om Harry Bar low's school, who recently knocked out Moran in half a round. Brown is an awkward • southpaw," and even in this contest the iracey representative at iirst, found him hard to handle, but i n the second round he settled down to hia work, and from, then onwards won quite comfortably. Brown h ad no defence for Moran's heavy swings, and was rather badly pumshed, though he always attempted t 0 ftght back.

Hector Ellis had rather an easy win over Jack Burns at Petone on Monday but his. boxing, although f ast and 7ggressive, was not at all inspiring. H e swung wildly-contrary to the instruct liona given by bis mentor, Denny Mm-phy-and appeared to be concerned more with punching hi* opponent frequSSE than judiciously However, he won by a.good margin of points, and th e dccii ion was never in doubt. An angry muT raur rose from the " fans " as tL nouncer, mistaking corners, pointed "n the direction of Burns, but uTe correc tion was quickly ma de, an d d°s sen i turned with surprising rapidity intoap

The boxing enthusiasts of Master*™ boys,met, Black took a v ei y dose ded s.on after a hard, fight, so that t^" the return match, should be productive of something really worth whjlßlack is boxing well up to form, and on paper it seems that he must win. t)ai )el > A match has been arranged by the en terpnsmg Napier Association Ween Australian -lommy Fairhall and the clever American boxer, Harry Stone known to all followers of the° g ant as Hop Harry." The bout is to take place on the tenth of next month, and it is almost certain that there will be a record house, as Stone holds the distinc tlin of being one of the most eccentrically amusing boxers who ever entered hi £?f UT lly haS everv°ne except his bewUdered opponent in roars of laughter by his jazz work around the ring but he is no joke to the man be is fighting, who often stops something on the chin, which obviates the necessity of the referee giving a decision. He is due to arpve very shortly f rom Sydney, and Wellington enthusiasts may have a chance of seeing him working 'in the gymnasium before he leaves for the venue of his first battle in New Zealand. . ;

Carl Calloway, who will be remembered as being the chief sparring partner of Australian George Cook, wheu the latter was in the Dominion, is billed to box Rigby at Blenheim on Thursday week Calloway, is a great defensive hgnter, and should stand r,uito a reasonable chance : of beating' the Australian visitor. In any case his many Wellington friends wish him the best of luck.

Hermie Rathner, the clever feather•weight from the Tracy Gymnasium, is billed to meet Tapps at Masterton tonight. Rathner is one of the fastest I)oy, s In the province, and the country lad will certainly have to he boxing well to stand a chance of taking the referee's nod.

Paul Dcmsky, according to cable adviqe received, lost his first fight .since Mis return to Sydney from New Zealand. His opponent was the hard-hitting Eddie Butcher, to whom the young Russian would-probably have to concede quite a considerable number of pounds in weight. • . '■ r

The star bout of the all-amateur tournament at Wanganui on Saturday was provided by the Manawatu champion, D. Clinton, and Percy Black, of Wellington. When the pair met on a previous occasion, the bout wa« declared a draw so_ that this time both lads were optimistic as to their chances, and a great battle over six rounds was the result. I here was little between the boys at the finish, but the referee, Mr. Tim Tracy, decided in favour of Clinton. A bout in Wellington between this pair would be watched with great interest by the sporting fraternity. The. services, of Referee Tim Tracy have been greatly in demand of late, and to-night he will officiate at the amateur tournament at Masterton. Tim was always a good straight fighter, and now as third man in the: ring, he never allows outside influences to sway • his judgment.

Eugene. Yolaire, the popular little Frenchman, is training hard for his approaching battle at Greymouth with Tommy Fairhall, and he has been boxing during the week with Alf Lewis and Jimmy Turfis. Trainer Ike Kutner, who of coursa will be in Volaire's corner, is quite certain that now his charge has fully recovered Trom his rather tedious journey from Broken Hill, he xrjll fully extend the all-conquering Fairhall. ■ ,

Val'Gunnion, the hard-hitting middleweight from Tim Tracy's school, is in hard training once again, and may possibly be seen in action at the next tournament. Gunniori has been sparring with Freddy Smith, who thinks quite a lot of the Tracy boy. A patriotic band of English sportsmen is scouring the British Isles in search of a boxer capable of bringing the world's heavyweight title back to England. The well-known American trainer-manager, Mr. Tex O'Rourke, whose services have been secured by the champion-hunters, has picked a bunch of burly young men from among whom' he announces he intends choosing the world-beater. Of them, Leslie Price, of Bristol, 20 years of age, 6ft 2£in in height, and weighing 15st 101b, is the son of a Clifton hotel proprietor, while another, H. A. W. Macran, is a Bristol policeman, 22 years of age, 6ft 3in in height, and tips the beam at 15st 71b. The 6ft 3in of Birmingham pugilist, W. M. Prestage, weighs Wst, and combines this with a reach of 80 inches. I. Ingleton, of Liverpool, stands 6ft sin, and was discovered handling 200 bags of sugar with ease. All the candidates are very shortly due to go into camp at Malvern, and it is anticipated that within -a year one of them will be ready to box the English champion. There was a large gathering of enthusiasts at the open night given by Denny Murphy at his Herbert street gymnasium on Wednesday, when • a splendid programme of boxino- and wrestling bouts was' staged. Percy Charles and \oung Pearce; Ji m Gurry and Jimmy. Hassett; Tom Adams and Jack Crowley; and Harry Adamson and Jim Bradley were seen in glove exhibitions, while Harry Sandow gave a neat demonstration club swinging and also wrestled with H. DicUenson. It was at first anticipated that the Japanese iv jistu expert, Kea Kameda, would be able to show the quality of his art but the patrons were denied this pleasure owing to Kameda having sustained a slight injury to his ankle. An excellent bill of. fare was rounded off by a brisk three-round spar between Mick Williams a promising novice, and that clever leatherweicht. Alf Lewis Tominv Fairhall boxes Stewart Smiil. at Auckland on 22nd of w*t SonuT

In the Water

OLYMPIC GAMES

QUESTION OF NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATION l

THE NEED FOR FUNDS.

(By "Headeb.")

The remarks c£ "Sprinter" in last Saturday's "Evening Post" anent the- representation at the Olympic and British Empire Games, apply equally to the sport of-swimming, and there is no doubt that unless some immediate move, is made by the Olympic Council there will be a repetition of the happenings that occurred prior to the departure of the last, Olympic team. No.one who has any branch of amateur sport-at heart would want to see that position of affairs rocur, and a definite pronouncement should be made at ouco aa to whether the Dominion is to be represented or not. The writer, through tho medium of this column during the latter part of last season, stressed the need ol prompt action being taken, and it then appeared as if a forward move was being made. Proposals were made in various vajs for tho raising of funds, and that of a, grand art union, to apply throughout iNew Zealand, was primarily adopted, but during the winter months, beyond the circularising of the various sports controlling bodies re the mater of guarantees for the art union, nothing further seems to have been accomplished. If it has, little publicity has been given it, ...nd those people who are really interested in tho matter of Olympic representation (and . they aro many) have very little information to enlighten them. ihe events that representatives trom I his Dominion would compete in will be held in the month of July in which case the 'earn would need to leave these shores no later than the middle of April. This leaves five and a half mon* 5 to raise funds, a very short period indeed, and it will require considerable hustling on tho part of the council if anything liko a. decent amount is to be laised. Perhaps the wisest move would have been to work along similar lines to that of the Australian authorities, who have their Olympic representation well in hand. They estimated tho number of competitors first and' then set about raisir.g th& required amount necessary to send them. This policy might well'have been adopted here; but on present appearances it looks as if the numerical Mr&ngth of any team that may be sent will depend on the amount of money raised, which is not a suitable arrangement. H may be that at the present time we nave not _ sufficient athletes' approaching the world's championship classes to ju^ tify the sending of a. team. As rightly pointed out by "Sprinter," this fact sUoukl not be tho wholo point on which tho question of representation, should be decided. In any case, as far as swimming is concerned, there ara at leasi two people who are little inferior to the world s ' best and it, is possible that in other branches of sport some prospective champions may bo unearthed in the coming season. Even if there were. not. the Olympic Council would havo nothing to lose if they raised sufficient funds for the semlmg _of a larße team, and then found; thnt .the Dominion could be equally as wnll represented by a smaller team. A -surplus .fund could easily bo established _ for future occasions. The best plan is for the council to immediately decide on a. prospective number'of contestants, say. ten (or more), pursue an active campaign for tHp raisinn- o f the necessary amount to send them, and towards tho middle of February—after tho season is sufficiently advanced to gausre any prospective -representative's capabilities—mal«\ a definite ami final selection, even though it may bo.only two or three. Header is not advocating an unnecessarily largo team, but ■ representation we must, havo, no matter in what branch of sport, not only for the benefit of the individual athlete, but for the benefit of the Dominion and amateur sport as a whole. ; ;

Jn connection with the raising of funds for Olympic- representation a novel idea and one which she uld produce good results has recently been adopted in Australia. A gentleman whoso business takes him to many parts of New South Wales and other States has offered, his eervioes in conducting a series of lectures and addresses in the- numerous towns he visits, on tho matter of Olympio representation, and also to assist in the formation of local committees to further the project. His efforts are reported as being well received, and if a similar enthusiast could be secured by the New Zealand Olympio Council to work along tho same lines, assistance would probably be received from towns whose knowledge of Olympic Games and representation thereat is somewhat vague. The idea is oertainly a good one, and might be availed of by any individual member of the council, or any ctheV prominent follower of amateur' sport, who would be willing to assist in a "boost" ' campaign when visiting some of the smaller centres and towns. - ■

NEWS OF THE CLUBS.

Tho Evans Bay Club, whose annual meeting passed off successfully, anticipate a good season. It would be safe to say that thera is oyery likelihood of it being so, but this club is extremely unfortunate in that it cannot at present suitably accommodate its members. For some time. past the officials have been endeavouring to secure permission from the City. Council to erect their'own club premises, but with no apparent success. Why there should be any objection 'to the proposed erection of a clubhouse is difficult to: anderstand, and must be discouraging to the club's members. However, the now executive have not let the matter drop, and are renewing their efforts towards securing the council's . permission, and if they are successful—there is no reason why they should not be—the club would soon lake tho necessary steps to ereot a building to suit their •■equirements. They would thus popularise the club and at the same time relieve to a great extent the congestion that is bound to' occur when the season becomes more advanced! ■

In view of tho various statements that several clubs were probably deciding not to affiliate to the centre this season, it is interesting to note that the Lyall Bay Surf and Life-saving Club are continuing on with their alfiliatioo, despite tho fact that they are purely a life-saving club. Questioned on the point, the club captain, Mr. P. Coira, stated that if it had been desired to break away from the centre the constitution of the club would have to be altered, as it provided that the members must be amateurs, and that the club shall affiliate to both the N.Z.A.S.A. and tho Royal Life-saving Society. He concurred with the writer'f remarks in last week's notes that the only way to preserve the amateur status of the club's members was by affiliation to the amateur swimming association. As nearly all the members of this club also belong to swimming clubs, and will again have to . assist in a further affiliation, and also become liable to another levy, or levies, that the centre may impose, it is evident that their keenness and enthusiasm for the club does not outweigh their general interest in swimming as a whole. Their action in giving support to both branches of the sport is very commendable.

Prior to the Worser Bay Club's annual meeting it was being stated that the coming season would find them amongst the. non-affiliated clubs, but after addresses had been given to the members by Mcssis. Rundle and Coira (representing the centre), it was almost unanimously decided not to take such a step, but to continue on as previously. The bone of contention seems to bo that for clubs with a large membership, affiliation fees bikl lovjea n»t up * eonsiclornbta portion of tha eluti'a fiataees without much vi»-

Ib o sign ot auymuig m return, but to all amateur sports there joust bo a controlling iwdy, j,. nu - tll|a conuoUang body cannot uopa to carry on without funus. ■As it is, there are very few of these bodies, if- any, wiio'couia possibly cany on with affiliation fees/omy, ana tuerolore it is necessary for tuem' to aecura lunds through efforts of their own, which it is pleasing to note they are not backward in promoting.. The Worser tfay Otub have numbered in its ranks several members who have ciohe much m the cause of swimming, notably Messrs. Charles Bell (for many years chairman of the local centre), W. Gerrie, Vie. Allen, and H. Silver, All of these enthusiasts, and several others, too, have devoted a great deal of time to the eport, and their efforts have been full of merit. Lharlio is now a crack bowler, but by virtue of the life-membership of the- club conferred upon him, still has a great interest in us welfare,, while Messrs. Allen, and Gerrie are to be found as guiding hands in tho destinies of the club for which they have worked so hard, x,Mr- J?ck Williams, whom tho Lyall Bay Club honoured with a. life-member-ship at it« last annual meeting, is well known m swimming and life-saviDg 1 circles. He was captain of the club for many seasons, and his effective work ended m extremely good results. As a member of the Institute Club, too, he has accomplished a. great deal on their behalf, and his tireless eneigy has enabled him to devote a lot of time" to learners of the art, many of whom he has brought on and coached.until they became more than proQciont. This appears more especially to members of the ladies' club (whom he has repressatod with' credit as delegate on the centre), who are also in-' debtod to him for the help he has renH=red. A fine sport and one who has .ie game at heart, his honour is well deserved. . -...-.

BECORD TIMES,

• It is not, generally known that at the end of last season. J. Enwright, of Auckland, tho present Dominion eprint champion; was credited with covering the ICO yards in the smart time of 59 i-ssec. Tina was accomplished at a carnival conducted by tho Waiteinata Club, and it is j tho first timo in the. history of swimming j in this country that such a feat has been recorded by a New Zealand swimmer. It was expected back in 1913 (when Malcolm Champion won the 100 yards champion- | ship in olsec) that it, was only a matter i of two or three seasons whe-n the minute } for this distance would be shattered.'.Al- | though at different periods since then sev- ' eial swimmers ■^ry nearly accomplished tho feat, none of them could do better than the minute dead. Erie Pater Eon, of Wellington, was the "first to do this time, which he. registered "at. the championships in Auckland in"1920. Later on, Le3. Kronfe'd, ' of' Auckland, did the samo j time, hnd these twj swimmers are the • joint holders-of the New Zealand record, j which stands at 60sec. : , In training, the j first-named has. bean clocked to do bettor time than: his record, but. unfortunately in-actual contest! ho. could not repeat his trial swims. D. Murrell has done 60 2-ssec, and he was .looked upon as the one most likely to break tho record, but' k> far hn lias been unsuccefsful, and. ; to. Enwright falls th« honour of being'the ' first swimmer to do so. Enwright did not win tho race, nor - was- ht» attempting any record, but revertheless he has done the time, which cannot, of courso. bo rocoenised as a record, a? record com)iditions were.ubt complied with. As En-, wright. has now paved tho wav, it may be thnt.the. coming season will ■yiroc'u'-" srvoral more sprinters whofp calibre "ill bp known as "minute-breakers." They will bo welcomn.

AUSTRALIAN HEAVYWEIGHTS

The premiership of the Australian Heavy brigade has not been at all stationary during the past nine months, in which time..five separate title-holders have come and gone. ' Veteran Colin Bell, Tom Heeney's pet aversion, was knocked out in twelve rounds Ivy tho youthfulj. Roland Dwyer, and thus this great old-timer. once more slipped back into obscurity. Dwyer put up a very feeble defence of his crown against Em Waddy, and before the first round of their scheduled twenty-round contest had been concluded the title had once more changed hands. Em Sheppard was the next on the scene, and it took him just fourteen rounds.to beat Waddy into submission. The last debate over the ownership of the championship took place three weeks ago, when "Biackie" .Miller, of the Navy, won from Sheppeard in the twelfth round of a strenuous contest, the towel coming in from the champion's angle. It was a hard, and an exacting battle, with both men punching heavily all the way. "Biackie" was giving away quite a lot of weight, but indifference to> punishment and his sturdy aggressiveness gained for him the honours. .. ■ ' "