BOXING RULES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 104, 30 October 1923, Page 6

BOXING RULES

DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE ASSOCIATIONS* DELEGATES MEET The rules governing the sport of boxing were fully considered at a conference of associations which was held at the Chamber pi Commerce to-day. Mr. F. J. Campbell (Otago) presided, and there also-were present:—Messrs. A. Fairburn, T. G. Bobaon, and H, D. Johnston (Christchurch), J. H. Gilbertson (Southland), G. P. Aldridge (Napier), W. G. Hellish and E. Ferry (Wellington), G. Bush (Taumarunui, Welson, Whangarei, Waihi, Northern Wairoa, . Te Aroha, Taneatua, and Te Kuiti), L. Marter (H-awera), E. A. Dawson (Stratford), H. L. Young (Manawatu), j. E. Staples (Dannevirke), G. H. iJlanchard (Blenheim), T. Perkins and H. Bevan (Greymouth), C. F. Saunders and J. Russell (Auckland), H. Carr (Gisborne), J. Garcia (New Plymouth), A. G. M'Kay (Wa.nganui), A. Donovan (Hastings), H. R: M'Elrea (Ashburton), J. Gawn (Oamaru and Dunedin), F. J. Campbell (Dunedin), ! C. F. Saunders (Franklyn and Bay of Plenty), H. Divers (Wairoa), and 'T. Perkins (Blackball), 'F. W. Stevens (Hawera), and J. W. Heenan (Rules Committee).

Opening the proceedings, the president explained that the conference was the outcome of the recent conference at Dunedin, when it was decided that the rules governing the boxing game Bhould be fully considered—hence the present conference. The speaker emphasised the fact that for alteration or amendment to the rules or constitution,, a three-fifth's majority was necessary. Each association was to have one vote only, irrespective of whether one or more delegates were in attendance. Voting by proxy was permissible, the delegate to have a vote for each association he represented. . By unanimous vote, Mr. W. G. Talbot was appointed secretary. At the suggestion of Mr. Saunders, the secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Council, Mr. W. G. Atack, was invited to attend the meeting. THE AMATEUR DEFINITION. Considerable discussion arose concerning the definition of an amateur boxer. It was pointed out that many professional cyclists were desirous of competing as amateur boxers. Was this permissible? Some of the country delegates remarked that their whole strength lay in amateur boxing, ,and in these districts also, professional running, cycling, chopping, etc., were very popular. Whenever a professional boxing tournament was staged ■ in the smaller towns it was always at a financial loss. Amateurs were the only class from whom any financial benefit was gained, and the delegates from the country felt that if "outside" professionals (who are very numerous in the country districts) were debarred from competing as amateur boxers it would kill the game in the smaller towns.

The following definition was finally adopted:—"Amateur means one who has , never entered or competed or played in ! any boxing' or' 'other athletic ■ contest, or game lor a money prize stake, bet, or declared wager; who has not knowingly or without protest competed with or against a professional for a prize of any description; who has never entered for an athletic event for which a money prize is offered,, or for which a money prize and" a trophy are offered as alternatives, or an event open to professionals ; who has never wagered or been in anyway interested in a staked bet or wager made in connection with any ath- , letic competition or game in which he is ] an entrant, competitor,'l or player; who has never sold, realised, bartered, or otherwise turned into cash any prize or open order won by him or accepted, directly, or indirectly, from any person, any remuneration in respect of any athletic competition or game in which he is an entrant, competitor, ror player." On the motion of Mr. Sanders, it was decided that the headquarters of the association should be at Christchurch until other arrangements should be made. PROPOSED DIRECT REPRESENTATION. . Mr. Fairbairn advocated direct representation on the New Zealand Council, and moved accordingly, his motion being seconded by Mr. Robson. Messrs. Heenan and M'Elrea. spoke against the motion, which read :." That the executive of the New Zealand Boxing Association consist of seven district represen- '■. tatives, four to be appointed from the North Island and three from the South Island. The seven districts to be—(l) Auckland Province, (2) North Island East Coast, (3) North Island West Coast, (4) Wellington Province, (5) Westland, Nelson, and Marlborough, (6) Canterbury, (7) Otago and Southland." The motion, was defeated. METHOD OF VOTING. The effect of a. motion proposed by Mr. Sanders was that each association, at the annual meeting, should have one vote, and any association not having actually used two. permits during the previous year should have no vote at all. The motion was carried. A proposal that unless an association be directly represented at the annual meeting it should not have a vote was defeated. " In regard to voting by proxy, it was decided that no delegate should be allowed to represent l^ore than three local associations at the annual meeting. i Proceeding.) j