BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1927, Page 23

BOXING

BY "Aeneas."

BOXERS HONOURED

CRIME AND PURDY

MEMORABLE CONTEST

Billy Grime has been receiving as much as £600 per contest during the last year in Australia, but when it was explained to him that the New Zealand public would like to see him in action he readily agreed to fight for a £200 purse and £40 expenses. This meant that his cheque could be no more than £160. His action was that of a sportsman. He stood the risk of being beaten for a small purse when on the eve of his departure in the quest of world championship honours in America. Thus it was only natural that the Wellington Boxing Association should give him. a fitting farewell after his appearance here. Mr. E. W. M'Villy presided at the gathering which was held yesterday in Mr. W. G. Talbot's rooms, to present the cheques to the boxers. Mr. M'Villy, in proposing the health of the boxers, said that the AVellington Association was to be congratulated on its enterprise in staging the contest between Billy Grime and Charlie Purdy. The contest from the very beginning had been a memorable one, and it had been fought according to the best traditions of the game. It would be a long time before any who were present would see a fight equally as good, and he himself would never see a better one. Both men gave a brilliant display of boxing, which was nothing more than the "art of self-defence." He congratulated Grime on his victory, and Purdy on his excellent showing. Purdy had been defeated but by no means disgraced. When the New Zealander travelled and got a. little more experience he would be a better man. still. His showing against Grime had proved him to be a great boxer. Grime had left Australia with the intention of seeking a championship of the world in America, but he had readily acceded to Wellington's request and Purdy had also been anxious to measure himself against Australia's best fighter. Thus both had proved themselves fine sportsmen. Although the Australian gained the decision, Purdy had covered himself in glory. New Zealand was proud of him. If Grime displayed the same sporting spirit in America, as he did in the Wellington ring, then he would win favour there also. New Zealand wished him well.

_Mr. E. A. Craig, president of the Northern Boxing Association, said he had travelled all the way from Auckland to see the contest, but the journey had been well worth it, and he had no regrets. Grime had showed what a small man could do in the way of developing a punch, and Purdy's defence had been wonderful. The fight had been a revelation. Purdy had not suffered anything by his defeat; in fact his prestige had increased. He was sure Grime's style would please the Americans.

_ Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., in proposing the toast of Mrs. Grime, said that there was one. thing lacking in Purdy he was not married. (Laughter.) A man did not cultivate a punch until he was married, and he hoped that the Northern Boxing Association would do their best for the New Zealander. He assured Grime that the Americans were warm-hearted sportsmen, and that they would give him a big reception Crnmo fought in the style that they loved. J

Ia reply, Billy Orimo said that ho had met some spk. i.M sportsmen in Wellington, and he mentioned the "ames of Messrs. P. J. Griffen and F. MParland, while he was greatly indebted to his trainer, Mr. "Dorrie" Leslie. Mr. Leslie had done everything ho could have done for him. Grime praised Purdy as a wonderful boxer who should develop a punch. Grime said he was on his way to challenge for the,championship of tho world, and if ho brought the title back he would have his first light in Wellington. The next would be in Auckland. "Whether 1 succeed or not is another matter" said the boxer, "but I have got the heart and tho confidence. I have never been nervous in the ring yet, and that is half tho battle.

I wish to congratulate Billy Grime " said Purdy. "Thanks to Pat. Conners J. was in great condition when I entered tho ring, and as long as I put up a good showing I am satisfied. I hope Grime brings back tho title and I hope J. shall bo tho first to fight him." Grime: "I think you will be." "Tho Eefereo" was another toast proposed by Mr. M'Villy. He. consideied that the success of a contest depended on tho control over it, and that Wellington was extremely fortunate in having a refereo of tho calibre of Mr Earl Stewart. His services wore in great demand, and ho gave them wil-

/■?? xin«, g ia a religion with me," stated Mr. Stewart in reply. "T will n i. ways do everything in my power to further the game. I must say that last night's contest was a splendid one. It was a battle of .tactics, and both boxers fought cleanly." The great services of Mr. George Aldndge, secretary of tho Now Zealand ff? C '«J c™e ™ mentioned in the toast of the "New Zealand Boxing Council" and m reply Mr. Aldridge said that he had never met an easier boxer to handle than Grime. Tho speaker was confident that Grime would bring back a world title. New Zealand would watch his progress with the same interest as Australia.

Replying to the same toast, Mr. J W. Heenan congratulated the -Wellington Boxing Association on their enterw S« h. ad b? en doeP13r im Preased by the fight, which was cleanly contested, mth each boxer showing skill to a high degree. It showed that the standard of boxing in New Zealand was fairly well np to that of other countries. Grime would do well in America. There the boxers would

carry the. fight to him and the man who did that was looking for trouble.

Mr. E. A. Blundell proposed the toast of "The Trainers," Messrs. "Dorrie" Leslie and Pat. Connors." They had lived through the whole piece and it was difficult to estimate all they had done. As a member of the New Zealand Council he congratulated the \Tellington Boxing Association and the boxers on their vigorous and clean contest.

Mr. Leslie said that Grime was a credit to the game, and one who stood for all the best that was in it. He paid a tribute to Purdy's great cleverness. Mr. Connors said that the greatest moment of his life was when the gong sounded at the end of the fifteen rounds. His boy had gone the distance with Grime, who was the greatest fighter of his weight Australia had ever seen. No other man had held three titles and retained them. Frank Thorn certainly won three, but Holtz, whom he beat for the welterweight title, had been really a lightweight. The speaker said that he could not but help expressing his pride in Purdy, who was a fine buy to handle. Departing Boxers. The ranks of the light-weights ill this country will soon bo sadly depleted. Murray is now in America, Purdy is leaving shortly, and Jamito has signed up to leave next month to join Ted Scott. Eaymond Jansen sailed to-day by the Eimutaka for England. Jansen will probably fight in Panama, but if there is no immediate inducement there he and his manager will go on to England and thence to France. The Frenchman put up some fine contests in New Zealand. He scored victories over Eeg Trowern and Artie Hay, the welter-weight champion, but lost to Purdy. He and Jamito met twice and each secured a verdict. Jamito has been a great favourite, and he will always be remembered as a hard man, who fights all the way. Light-weight Title. Yesterday Charlie Purdy signed articles to meet Eeg Trowern at 9st 91b for the light-weight championship, j There is a £50 forfeit clause in the articles, which Trowern has not yet signed. The Welterweight Title. Dick Loveridge, who recently defeated Nelson M'Night, wants another match with Artie Hay for the welterweight title, and the "Truth" Belt. They have now met twice, and each has a win to his credit. Casey is also on the track of Hay. It looks as if the title will change hands when they meet. Grime's Departure. The departure of Billy Grime, featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight champion of Australia, for New Zealand, and later for America, has left a big gap in the fighting force of Aus-

tralia, writes E. M. Stephens, in the _ Sydney Sun." In addition, his leaving us is, from a financial point of view, a loss to Stadiums, Ltd. He, however, decided to seek fresh fields and pastures new, and it is to be hoped he will be successful. It is unsatisfactory for good Australian fighters to leave for other lands, as there is generally a slump following their departure. As in the past, they have a desire to conquer in another country. However, when a boxer reaches the top in three divisions, as Grime has, or even in one section, ho naturally wants, if there are no likely opponents in sight, to go abroad to fight others. It is obvious that if a public entertainer is a good draw card, he should be kept working. Grime has proved himself to be a money-maker for all concerned in his contests in Australia.

The idea of importing boxers t<J meet Grime was mentioned at a send-ofE given the triple champion at Paris House on Thursday. Sir Benjamin Fuller was in the chair. During the evening Mr.'Munro mentioned that he had cabled to the New York Boxing Commission, offering the present featherweight champion of the world £10,000 to fight Grime in Australia, "his statement brought forth adverse interjections, the point of most of which was that it was late in the day t try and arrange for a world's championship match for Grime in Australia. The Feather-weights. George Curran wants to meet Lin Eobinson for his title, and meantime is prepared to take on Harry Gunn and Duke Mrfdclox. Curran won the title at Napier in his contest with Brown. At that time the title had been forfeited by Mike Flynn through absence from New Zealand for over six months. Tommy Griffiths, Otago 's clever fea-ther-weight, is agreeable to meeting any feather in the Dominion for a reasonable purse. He is training under the care of Archie Leckie. Letter From Les Murray. A letter has been received from Les. Murray, ex-New Zealand lightweight champion, who is now in America, by Mr. George Aldridge, secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Council. Inter alia, Murray says: "I hear that Billy Grime is coming this way. He should do well if his hands are strong and he is prepared to ! trade socks' with these tough boys. The American methods of judging fights is quite different from ours. Aggression seems to be the main factor here, and defence counts very little. Straight lefts, too, seem to go for nothing—except when they pave the way for a knock-out. A knock down counts as one round against the boxer who is put down, even though he may have won every part of the round. This is done with the idea of encouraging good punching. There is no stalling in the fights here, for immediately boxers let up the crowd starts

counting them out and the referee advises the fighters to get busy or they will be put out of the ring. Boxing in New Zealand is generally prettier to watch, but it is not so exciting or effective. ''

Murray says that 'he is sharing an apartment in Manhattan, with Blackie Miller and Paul Demsky, and adds that- Demsky has had some trouble with his jaw. "However," Murray writes, "he will be going again in a few weeks, and has hopes of getting in among the champions of his weight (welter). I have been having a long lay-off, as I hurt my wrist and shoulder. I am afraid that the latter may give me some trouble, and may mean that I shall have to give it several months' rest. In that ease I would have a trip | to Europe and then, perhaps—home." Dave Palmer. Billy Grime was fortunate in securing the services of Dave Palmer as a sparring partner during his training for his contest against Purdy. It is hard to understand why associations have not matched Palmer. He has a good record, and is as attractive as any welter the writer has seen in New Zealand. He is a fast mover and hits clean and hard with both hands. "Dave is a very fine boy," was the opinion Billy Grime expressed to the writer. ■Palmer has knocked out victories over Pat Gleeson, Billy Samuels (twice), Billy Taylor, ex-lightweight champion of "West Australia, Hughie M'Bride, exlightweight t hampion of Tasmania, and he has fought a draw with Gordon Kiely, who made a splendid showing against Yvan Hoffmeur, the best of the Frenchmen. Gleeson has wins over Les Murray and Paul Demsky, and Samuels won on a technical knock-out from Jamito. Palmer has acted as a sparring partner to Joe Fox, • Danny Frusll, Bert Spargo, Jimmy 'Semmens, and Harry Collins. He would be a splendid match for Artie Hay, Nelson M'Night, Dick Loveridge, or Harry Casey, and would make lOst 21b for Reg Trowern. Unlike most visitors, he is willing to fight for a small purse. He wishes to prove himself. When he gets the chance he will. Palmer is opening a gymnasium at Petone, and he should do much to revive the game there.