BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 94, 21 April 1928, Page 23

BOXING

Br "AENEAS"

GRIFFITHS WINS OUTPOINTS GILLESPIE NEW ZEALANDER TOO SPEEDY Although it could not be described as an exciting contest, the GrinithsGillcspio bout was ono of tho most interesting that lias been staged in Dunedin for many a clay (states the "Otago Daily Times"). In the first place it provided an excellent display of boxiiig. Eingcra^t and speed were pitted against straight-out, hard-hitting tactics, and ' speed turned tho scales. Tommy Griffiths lias seldom fought better than he did on Saturday evening, proving that his extended holiday had done him a, world of good, and his snappy methods—clover footwork, quick clucking, and sudden attacks—bothered' Gillespie considerably until well on in the bout. In the second place the contest afforded an opportuntiy of comparing tho standard of present-day boxing in Now Zealand with that in Australia. Eric Harley was an unknown quantity, and, although his record was a good one, his position on the other side of tho Tasman was not sufficiently definite to allow of stable comparisons. But Norman Gillespie, as the acknowledged peer of Australian featherweights, held an assured position, and the' result of his first contest in New Zealand shows that tho local featherweights arc fully-equal to anything that Australia is producing at 'tho present time. A recent paragraph in the New Zealand "Referee" stated: "Norman Gillespie is considered by leading Australian authorities to be. tho best fea-ther-weight produced within . tl.e last five years with tho exception of Grime." That being so, tho a-jhieve-ment of Griffiths assumes special importance, for his victory on. Saturday was by no means a lucky, fluky piece of work. It was earned round by round, and the decision wont to a lad who must be regarded as one of the speediest and most elusive featherweights produced in this country. Gillespie was not at ease at any stage of his New Zealand debut. Griffiths's speed seemed to startle him, and he was unable to stop the swift and oft-repeat-ed attack led by a shooting left. His right is the most dangerous weapon in his armoury, and h uesed it with considerable effect, but the fast movements of Griffiths made him miss repeatedly and almost clumsily. In his style of boxing Gillespie is not unlike Eric Harley, and as both were training together, ono can readily understand tho similarity of their methods. Gillespie's big mistake was1 that ho delayed his offensive too' long. Obviously it was merely a matetr of faulty tactics, for he was holding plenty in reserve and entered the ring for tho last round as fit outwardly as ho was at the first gong. He reckoned without tho wonderful elusiveness of his opponent even when badly punished, and was unable, in. the last round, to connect with sufficient precision to drop the little New Zealander. Under a shower of rights to tho face and left swings to tho jaw, any of which might have finished the fight, Griffiths ducked, side-stepped, and covered. Ho led on points, and the eontostiwas his if ho could go the distance, but to do it he crouched nearly to tho floor, and; fell into clinch after clinch. There was a moment iv the fourteenth round when a faster man than Gillespio could have forced the decision. Griffiths took a solid left to the body, followed by a right cross. Ho crouched and swayed forward uncovered for a full second, but Gillespie was too close, and by tho time he stopped off sufficiently to bring a terrific right upper-cut into play, Griffiths was out of danger. AViseacres are now predicting that tho Australian champion will be another stepping-stone for Johnny Leckio, but contests cannot bo forecasted by such a simple process of mathematics. It is true that Leckio beat Griffiths, and Griffiths boat Gillespie, but to suggest that Gillespie will therefore be overwhelmed by Leckio is foolish. Probably Leckic will defeat the cheerful Australian, but he will have to be in good form and ready to take lots of punishment. Gillespie should give an excellent account of himself. Ho will find himself faced with a much more aggressive boxer, and one whoso speed should ultimately prove his undoing. However, it will be a contest well worth watching. A Return Contest. Billy Melton has been given a return match against Johnny Lcekic, and the pair will meet under tho local association on 14th May. Melton but a few days off tho boat was clearly outpointed in their previous match, but tho Sydney boy has been 3howing greatly improved form since then. The fact tliat he went fifteen rounds with Leckic when not at tho top of his form makes him worthy of consideration. Manager Harry Dawson states that there will be no doubt about his boy's condition this time, and that Melton will be just as aggressive as Leckie. The New Zealand featherweight champion in the meantime meets, Norman Gillespie, of Australia, for the Australian and New Zealand title. No building in Dunedin will be ablo to hold tho number of people wishing to see this bout on Saturday night next. Hay and Loveridge Again. Artie Hay and Dick Loveridgo arc to meet again at New Plymouth next Saturday night. Hay won tho two previous contests between this pair. Amateur Champion Retires. The Auckland amateur welterweight boxer, Eric Armi3haw, has announced his retirement. Armishaw built up a fino reputation, and last year won the welterweight title at tho New Zealand championships, after a great bout with Twiss Jaggcrs in the final. Renewal of Licenses. The majority of professional boxers in New Zealand have not yet renewed their licenses, which lapsed at the end of last month. Associations should see that this is done before matching any boxer. Pahiatua Activities. . A gathering of over 60 enthusiasts was held in Pahiatua to give support to the proposed boxing school there. The school is to be under tho guidance of Jack Crowley, and tho names of over 40 prospective pupils were handed in. It is hoped to form a small association in Pahiatua later on. A Good Night. Tho programme staged this week by tho Awapuni Boxing Club unto tho auspices of tho Manawatu Boxing Club was a great success. In addition to six amateur bouts, E. Morgan and A. Clevcrley, Olympic representatives, appeared in exhibitions. Mr. Earl Steware was the referee. The two bouts featuring Morgan and Cleverly, the two Olympic Games candidates, wore especially interesting, states tho "Manawatu Times"). In both cases they were made exhibition displays, and some pretty boxing was demonstrated. Cleverly, in particular, was in good form, showing clover footwork and a powerful right and left. Morgan is

:i. more dogged typo of fighter, but he gave a convincing display with plenty of punch behind it. The Awapuni Club, directed by Mr. Iteg. Mackie, is to bo congratulated on a most successful tourney, . the proceeds of which should prove of considerable benciit to tlio funds designed to Bend New Zealand's Olympic Games team to Amsterdam. The tourney was a moat successful affair, and it is to be. hoped that it will bo the first of many. Will Heeney Win? Loading sport editors variously discuss llecncy's chances with Tunncy, most agreeing that the champion's cleverness makes it a three-to-one bet against the New Zealander, cables the "Sydney Sun's" New York correspondent. But it is recalled that Tom has been able, in recent matches, to impose his own style of fighting on his opponents. Nobody has been ablo to stand off and box him, becauso he just crowds in, utterly oblivious to punishment and the punches of his opponent, with.such clogged determination and absolute persistence that the only way for opponents to fight back is to stand upand trade smashes with him. . The best thing about Heeney is that he is improving with every fight. Making his American debut 14 month 3 ago, he knocked out Charlie Anderson in eight rounds. The only bout he has lost was the decision to Uzcudin; and later he held Paolino to a draw, though many critics believed Tom deserved the decision on tho' second occasion. Heeney will bo the first British challenger for the heavy-weight championship since Fitzsimrnons defeated Corbett in 1897. "'Better Than O-riffo." Mr. John Wren has cabled to Mr. R. Lean, manager of Stadiums, Ltd., who is at present abroad in search of wrestling talent for Australia, stating that he- is prepared to back Billy M'Allister, the 21-year-old bantam champion boxer of Australia, against the world's champion for £2000, providing the match is decided in Australia. .Mr. Wren's full cable is: "Consider M'Allister die greatest boxer ever produced in Australia, not excluding Griffo. Am prepared to back him against tho world's champion for a bantamweight contest, to be held in Australia." This is rather a tall comparison, but Mr. Wren is evidently sincere. Bouts at Hutt Gala. Not the least interesting of the many genuine attractions at tho Hutt Gala last week was the boxing on Saturday night, again under the capable guidance of Mr. Robert Cairns Lee, to whom great credit was due for tho perfect condition of the ring*. Mr. Joe Mears, of tho Sports Community Club, presented his splendid team, in four exhibition matches. The lads were in excellent training, and'in four two-min-ute rounds made the most of their bouts. There was not a dull moment in the four bouts, which were watched by a large and interested crowd. Thanks are also due to Messrs. S. Briee, H. M'Gill, and R. Gray for their services in connection with the display, and to generous donors of trophies as a mark of appreciation to the boxers in assisting the gala. The participants in the four bouts staged were as follows:—H. Thomas v. P. Stone, T. Thomas v. F. Connors, C. Hearno v. C. Kilpatrick, H. Knopp v. J. Surridge.