BOXERS RETURN

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 2, 2 July 1929, Page 11

BOXERS RETURN

GRIFFITHS AND M'DONALD

LECKIE IX AUSTRALIA

The report that Johnny Leckie is remaining in Australia to engage in two more boxing contests was confirmed to-day by Tommy Griffiths, Lachie M'Donald, and Mr. Pat. ConnorE, on their arrival from Sydney by the ilarama. It was stated by Mr. Connors that there were good prospects of Leckie meeting Sarron in about three weeks' time. All were agreed that Leckie was showing very convincing form, lommy Griffiths mentioning that Leckie appeared to be even better by reason of the experience in Australia. From the financial point of view, however, the re suits had not been as anticipated. The amounts collected by Leckie in four fights, according to Mr. Connors, were £175, £61, £43, and £105, the smaller amounts being for appearances in Melbourne Although there were admittedly some good boxers in Australia at the "present time, the standard of the game generally was not particularly high, remarked Mr. Connors. There were about nineteen im portations, but they were not by any means all top-notchers. The best ot them were Sarron, Wilson, and Grace, from Amercia. and there was no doubt about their quality. In Jack Hairies Australia had Us best fighter to-day. This middleweight is only young, and is coming on all the time, said Mr. Connors. Lachie M'Donald had two fights in Australia, both over fifteen rounds, the decision going against him in each case, although it was considered that the- New Zealander was unlucky in not getting the decision over Tommy Nn-en. It was with Jack Haines that M'Donald had his other fight last week. M'Donald pointed out that through not having had a fight for three months before going to ■ Australia, and through being handicapped there by alterati6ns to fixtures, he was'not able to give of his best. He now. proposes to have a brief spell, and leaves for Timaru to-night Tommy Griffiths indicated that he was pleased to be back, and he is leaving for Dunedin to-night with his wife, who accompanied him on the trip. He also referred to the fact that the inducements in Australia at the present time were not particularly good. He had had three fights, losing to M'Allister and Em Connors in Sydney and defeating Jackson in Melbourne. In the latter fight he showed much better form than in the other two contests.