BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 23

BOXING

BY •Aknkam"

'MONDAY'S CONTEST

TROWERN AND HANCOCK

AUSTRALIAN'S LEFT HOOK

The contest between Eog Trowern and Wally Hancock on Monday night is creating a great deal oi' interest. Troweru has been one of tile most consistent performers engaged by the Wellington Association in the past "few years. He has never really put up a poor performance, while at times he has shown brilliance as a boxer and willingness as a fighter. Had Trowern had a little more of the luck with him in his career ho would have achieved great things, and he is still young enough to yet climb high. The New Zealander's performance against Hancock at Dunedin shows that he is in good form. Hancock has been a busy fighter in Australia during the last eighteen months, and because of his power to punch and aggressiveness has been very popular.' In fact he is perhaps the greatest draw card the Leichhardt Stadium has had. His knockout victories over Charlie Purdy came as a great shock to New Zealanders. Twice he caught the will-o'-the-wisp with terrific left hooks. Although Purdy was not at his best he has demonstrated time and again his ability to take punishment and his cleverness in defence had hitherto frustrated the hardest hitters. Then Hancock in his second fight in Dunediu annihilated Ted Morgan. This was the first time that Morgan had been bowled over, and again the Australian made the fancy rub their eyes. Hancock, before he took up professional boxing, was in the Navy. He is a beautifully made fighter physically, and evidently a fast puncher. His contests in Australia with Tommy Fairhall have packed the Leiehhardt Stadium, and it was to Fairhall, after a gruelling contest ; that he recently lost the Australian welter-weight title which he won from Purdy. To "Wellington audiences a left-hook artist will be something of a novelty. This is a neglected punch -amongst most of; our boxers. At the moment there is only one amateur the writer can recall who uses it really effectively—he is Tim Tradey's pupil, L. C. Higgs. It has been said that if Johnny Leckie could add it to his kit he would be much more effective. It is perhaps the fastest punch outside the straight left known to boxing, and when used by an adept is devastating. Those who saw the picture of the fight between Jack Dempsey and Luis Firpo will realise the effectiveness of the blow. It is a punch that can be used from more positions thaii the straight "left, and to head or. body!' Thus the appearance of Hancock will bo a lesson ,to the amateurs in the use of the blow as well as an entertainment to the crowd. Throwing in the Towel. Every now and again one reads in reports of fights in New Zealand of a towel being thrown into the ring as a signal of defeat. The latest incident of the kind occurred in tho sixth round of the Leekie-Leslie fight at Napier. The referee, however, kicked the towel out of the-ring and ordered the boxers to continue. He was perfectly correct in doing so, although the second can be forgiven for his action, as it is not specifically stated in the rules that a second must not so signal his principal's desire to retire, writes ''Cestus" in the "Christehurch Star." Certainly it is inferred that the referee is the sole, controlling force (section 3,' rule 55), and that on him rests the whole responsibility of deciding whether or not a contestant is in tile condition to carry on. In the old rules, the position was clearly set forth, and there was1 very good reason for ■ inserting the rule prohibiting the throwing in of the towel. But when the rules were revised in 1923 by, persons who were totally unacquainted with the circumstances which created the rule, the clause was eliminated, and to-day there is nothing to show that a second must not throw into the ring a towel or a sponge, or any other object, in order to announce to all and sundry that his principal has had quite sufficient for that evening. It is about time the old clause was reinstated. Wanganui's Next. The Wanganui Association is making aa> effort to pencil in two boxers for the week of the Spring races, next September. Wanganui endeavoured to ar-t range a contest for next week, but were unable to do so. Tom Heeney's Plans. Just prior to his departure from Cape Town, South Africa, to return to America after his shooting expedition. on the veldt, Tom Heeney was interviewed by a Press representative on the subject of his plans for the future. He stated that he would like to fight again, but he did not propose, to do so unless he could secure £1000 a fight. Tom also indicated that he had been hard hit by the smash in American shares which occurred last year, but expressed a hope, that some of his holdings might recover. The report of the interview was as under: — ■' "Shall I fight again?" A smile broke across the features of "Honest Tom" Heeney, the former contender for the world's heavyweight crown, as he collected the refund money on his cinematograph camera from the Customs officers in the saloon of the American freighter, Eastern Glen. "It depends- on what offers I ■ receive," he admitted. "I'd like another fight, and'l've cabled my manager in the States saying so. But I won't fj§ht for under a thousand pounds. "The Wall Street" smash hit me hard. On paper I figure I lost £19,800. That's a tidy sum for anyone to lose. Perhaps some of my holdings will recover a bit, and the loss may not bo as much after all." Tom was anxious to talk about himself. He'said: "I lead a, very quiet life, and am never really out of training. I, shall begin to 'work off the superfluous fat as soon as we get to sea, so that I can be in some sort of shape when we get to Boston." i Paul to Meet Praei. The Taumarunui Boxing Association's programme, to be staged in the Theatre Royal on Eace Night (Saturday, 24th May), is .a very attractive one, and there should be a packed house to witness the contests. The professional fight will be' between Jack Paul (Australia) and Fred Fraei (Auckland) for a purse of £100. They will fight ten three-minute rounds. A Postponement. An ankle injury suffered by the Australian, BillyN Grime, during outdoor training at Hawera, necessitated the postponement of his return bout with Tommy Donovan, set down for Hawera yesterday. The bout has ' now been fixed for 6th June. With the first meeting of the pair still fresh in the minds of local followers and the increased respect to which the Waitara fighter is entitled by his third defeat of Pete Sarron at Dunedin, his coming encounter should prove tho greatest draw card ever offered to a Hawera gallery, states the'"Hawera Star." Unfortunately the time of the year puts an outdoor contest out of the question. If this could be arranged tho battle would undoubtedly be witnessed by a much greater assembly than it is possible to accommodate in the Hawera Opera House which is to be the. venue.

The progressive Hawera Association, is to again bo congratulated in bringing the redoubtable Donovan-Grime pair together and another overflow house will undoubtedly reward it. Sarron's Demands. ,"My terms are- a flat guarantee of £400," was Pete Sarron's reply to the Hawke's Bay Association's offer- for a match with Johnny Leckie in Hastings. The association had approached Leckie on the subject, and ho was quite agreeable to the match. On the score of las share of the purse, he did not name any particular figure, but left it to the generosity of the association. The secretary (Mr. J. Sticklaud) of the association telegraphed to Sarron asking him on what terms he would meet Leckie in the Municipal Theatre, Hastings. Sarron's reply was as above. It will be remembered that some time ago the New Zealand Boxing Council restricted the purse for all fights to £200, this being done with a view to assisting the country associations, and those not too well off financially, to secure good bouts, states the "Hawkes Bay Tribune." However, it is known that even some of the country associations have offered, and paid, sums greatly in excess of the £200 limit. From all accounts it would appear that the council finds great .difficulty in enforcing its ruling, and there have been several stormy debates on the subject. The council meet* on Monday .-night to consider the question of purses. Eegarding Sarron's opinion of himself, it is difficult to understand how he can reasonably expect any association in New Zealand to find a hall in which such a crowd could be assembled as would meet the expenses of a fight. There might be something iiuJiis favour if the bout was to be in the open-air, but at this time of the year such a fixture is out of the ■ question. When the Hawke's Bay Association meets to consider the matter there is little doubt about what the decision will be. ■ Campbell's Hard Luck. ; Alan Campbell, the heavyweight champion, will be' out of the game for at least, six months. He sustained a double fracture to his right hand mi the first round of the bout with Jim Broadfoot but carried on for fourteen rounds to earn the decision. It was no wonder he could not knock out Broadfoot. / •■ Small Profit for Otago. The takings at the Sarron-Donovan contest in Dunedin totalled £1318 12s 6d. The purse alone amounted to £700. Sarron took £400 and Donovan 25 per cent, of the gate with a minimum of £300. The Government tax amounted to £110, and then there are the dues to the, New Zealand Boxing Council, so that the Otago Boxing Association will have little on the credit side after all expenses are paid. Leckie Showing Form. . There is every indication that Johnny Leckie will be in splendid form when he meets Tommy Donovan at Napier on 24th May. At 'an amateur tournament held by the Hawkes Bay Association he gave an exhibition with an amateur named Andrews, boxing four rounds. Leckie, according to the "Hawkes Bay Tribune,?' gave an excellent display and proved that he has a great punch when he cares to use it, and exceptional speed. As he was facing only an amateur, this does not prove much, but coupled with his form against Leslie there are indications that he will put up a stubborn defence against Donovan when his title is at stake. . ';.,'-. | Otago Notes. After four professional •fights, the Otago Boxing Association is noiv turning its attention to amateurs, for; a while,,,and a.novice tournament is to be staged over two nights this month and an opeu tourney next month 4 writes "The Post's" Dunedin correspondent. No word has yet been received from Yo.ung Llew Edwards, who is under contract to the Otago Association, but Jack Carroll,/the former welterweight champion of Australia, is keen to come to Dunedin, and, if he did he would be a great opponent for Wally Hancock. This is a match which tho Ausrtralian promoters have been seeking for a long time. Steve Hughes, the Dunedin professional welterweight, who beat Les Adams at Invereargill' this ■ week, has been matched'with W. Carey at Christ-. church on 3rd June. Hughes is a good boxer, : and if he were more robust he would take some stopping. ' Hector Leckie, the New Zealand lightweight champion, has resumed training arid is reported to be showing greatly improved form. He is now with Archie Leckie, Johnny's old trainer, and is to meet Glen Leslie, of Auckland, in a title match in ono of the 'I'arauaki centres next mouth. Wrestling. That wrestling is becoming popular is evidenced by the increasing activity of the trainers and teachers. The secretary of the - local association is niaking it h.is business to visit all the gymnasiums that exist in, Wellington, and during the week he visited Mr. A. Jenkins's school at Freyberg street, Lyall Bay, and had a long talk with the instructor. This gymnasium, which already runs on Monday nights, is finding it necessary to open on Thursday nights as well, and any * aspirants who wish to learn the art of wrestling would be well advised to see Mr. Jenkins as early as possible. Two_ good boys have already displayed their talent to the local fansj namely, L. Boe and E.Greeks (whose name was spelt in the programme as Greggs* last Tuesday), and others, prominent among whom is C. Bloomfield, are anxious .to show their mat ability. Mr. Jenkins .works on a very sound system of coaching, starting the boys with what he terms "the first six," that is, six holds-standing and six on the mat. Combined with this he works in, roughly, 50 per cent, of ju-jitsu, with the usual locks, bars, throws, etc. Next week the secretary hopes to be able to visit another very popular gymnasium run by Mr. Lack, who refereed the preliminary bouts last Tuesday. Feeling reference to the death- of their late patron, Mr. F. M'Parland, was made at a meeting of the Miramar Boxing Association on Thursday evening, and it was unanimously decided to send a letter of condolence to his relatives.