BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 23

BOXING

»r "AmtiMAm"

A WORTHY PROPOSAL

TEAM OF AMERICAN BOXERS

NEWS AND NOTES

More than once it has been, suggested that iv order'to add variety and give boxing a fillip the major associations or all associations should combine and, through the New Zealand Council, engage'a team,of American Pacific Coast boxers, to .come out and take part in matches in New Zealand. Although, no doubt, big associations like Wellington could import one boxer, they could not make arrangemeuts for a team, and iv any case it is obviously preferable in the 'interests of boxing generally throughout New Zealand for the action to be concerted. There are, of course, many difficulties, the purse limitation being the biggest obstacle, but the proposal is one which has everything to recommend It, and should be given serious attention. Here is what an Auelcland writer says of the matter: — - "The time is more than ripe for the metropolitan associations to get together and import a small team of boxers from overseas. The Pacific Coast of America should prove a fruitful field. Unless some action of this kind is taken public interest in boxing is going to become negligible when compared with wrestling. The latter sport is undoubtedly providing the public with the thrills and interest it wants, and unless there arc. some worthwhile boxing bouts promoted wrestling will usurp boxing's place. There are a few good boxers in New Zealand who are attractive in themselves, namely, Tommy Donovan,, featherweight; Johnnie Leekie, lightweight; Keg. Trowern and Artie Hay, welterweights; and, opposed to an American team, they would draw well in the various centres. Of course, the present: system of purses mitigates" against success of a venture of this kind. However, the controlling bod}' might see fit to waive the point in the interests of the sport generally." High Pay. When Kid Berg, the sensational English fighter who is seeking the lightweight title of the -world in America, met and defeated Kid Chocolate, there was an attendance of 34,922, with a gate of over £36,200. Each man received over £7600 for his 30 minutes' work. Gisaorne in the field. The Gisborne Association is negotiating for another bout between Johnny Leekie and Tommy Donovan, but nothing has been definitely settled. Coble Likely to Return. v There is every possibility of the Australian featherweight, Tommy Doble, coming this way again, and some news should be heard within the next week or two. On his first visit here-Doble met Tommy Donovan twice, losing each time but putting'up excellent showings. Amateur Tour Likely. At the annual meeting of association delegates the New Zealand Council was instructed to get in touch with the South African and Australian authorities with, a view to New Zealand sending an amateur team to one or. both of these countries. A reply has now been received from South Africa stating that the i^ew Zealand proposal has been placed before the National Association, aud it is anticipated that a favourable'reply will/be received in a fortnight. This will be welcome news for the winners of this year's championships, for they, have now every prospect'of a trip overseas. In addition to negotiating with South Africa the council has also been in touch with Australia, and, although the authorities there at first were inclined to turn the proposal down, there still are hopes that if a New Zealand team is to go to South Africa.it will, break the journey in order to meet the Australian champions. The Australian championships were held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. Gillespie for Napier. The r Napier Association has secured Norman Gillespie to meet Johnny Leekie on 4th October. • Gillespie gave Johnny the hardest contest ho took part in before meeting Sarron iv Australia, and the clash which took place in Dunedin during that association's boom was classed as the best ever seen in the district. GiHespie has only once since made feather-weight, and that was to meet his stable mate, Tommy Crowle, in a match for Crowle's-title. It is said that this match was the. outcome, of Crowle's refusal to meet Ted Nelson in 1 a title match. GHlespie soon mad© a name, for himself in, the lightweight division, winning the championship of Australia. One Man's View. Under a- leading ' "Disgraceful Wrestling," a writer in the "Wairarapa Daily Times" has the following to say about the sport, or entertainment, or whatever one likes to call it, which is attracting crowds all over the country: "It'is certainly time that the Government of - this country took steps to stop the disgraceful exhibitions of so-called wrestling which are being held in the' Dominion," he says. "When we .find punching, gouging, butting with the head, and similar tactics indulged in, we wonder why those controlling these 'wrestling' contests are allowed to hold them. Large crowds are attracted to these exhibitions, not because they expect to see genuine wrestling, but because there is always the possibility, of something in ' the nature of a brawl to be witnessed. One wonders what the late Harry, Dunn, Muldoon, Joe Acton, Donald Dinnie, Eugene Kneobone, and Duncan C. Ross, champion wrestlers of forty years ago, would have thought of the present methods of wrestling. We are certain that had: these wrestlers attempted the tactics so common in wrestling matches to-day, . the audiences would have hooted them out of the ring altogether." Alley's Big Chance. Wrestling faster and better than he has so far done this season, Tom Alley provided Kara Pasha with stiff opposition in the Town Hall last Monday, aad he se> mcd to have a great chance of winmi^g when his butting tactics appeared to have the Turk in a bad way. Alley certainly went the better in the fifth and sixth rounds until he knocked himself out.' Possibly had he not been so impetuous and. varied his attack ho might have put Pasha down for the deciding fall. Pasha, however, is such a quick, clever wrestler that it is difficult togauge exactly how bad he actually was, and it is .quite possible that he. was bluffing to a certain extent and still had something in hand with which he intended to turn a trick on Alley. More.than ever does Monday's bout emphasise Pasha's ability as a wrestler. So far he has wrestled oniy three men in New Zealand, Alley, Ray, and Lundyn, but to-night he takes on a new one in Ebert, while on Monday he will face the famous Ted Tye in Auckland. Packed houses have greeted him everywhere, and financially his trip here is a most successful one. Monday's Wrestling. On Monday Wellington wrestling enthusiasts will see two new men who have sot yet performed in the local

ring in action. They are Tony Stecber, brother to the famous Joe, and the youthful Walter Logan, who boat Tom Kay in Dunedin on Saturday last. Steeher showed his ability as a wrestler when he drew with "Seotty" MacDougal] in Auckland, and with the benefit of that contest he should show something approaching his best form on Monday. Logan has been defeated by Alley and Pasha, but in each case he put up good displays. He is stated to be a fast, eager type of. wrestler, and as ho has a penchant'for headlocks ho should provide some excitement. About Walter Logan. • Walter. Logan, the twenty-four-year-old wrostler, to appear .hero on Monday, is practically1 a vegetarian, and he has only two meals .a day, between 9 and 10- in the morning and at 6 in the evening. Talking to the writer this week, Logan, ■ia detailing his training methods, said, that .when he gets up ho drinks a couple of glasses of hot water and at 7.30 a.m. or S o'clock he goes out on the road and walks and runs for about teii miles. When he returns he does half an hour or more in exercising, especially for his neck, arms, and shoulders. After half an hour's rest he has breakfast. Sometimes he goes for a walk in the afternoon, and before retiring at night exercises a little. Occasionally he works out with a light man in order to acquire speed, one' of his attributes as a wrestler. Logan, in his younger days, was also a boxer, but he gave up serious competition in this sport, as he liked wrestling better. A Bright Display. " It was a very pleased, if somewhat surprised crowd which watched the wrestling bout between Bush and Deacon in the Town Hall last Monday. They gave easily the best and fastest display of wrestling provided by amateurs in Wellington, and their clean, scientific work delighted the audience, who did not fail to show its appreciation. Another meeting between this pair would be well worth seeing. Working Well. In preparation for his contest with Tommy, "Griffiths-at Ashburton on1 3rd October, Jack Crowley is working out at Billy Crawford's gymnasium. Jack is, showing good-form, and he will lack nothing on the score of fitness on the night. '..'■' Wrestling Matches for Wellington. • Now that the Town Hall is again available, the Wellington Wrestling .Association is embarking on an extensive programme of matches. On 18th September the Turkish wrestler, Kara Pasha, will be seen in action, and it is stated that his opponent will be either George Walker or Logan. Four days later, on 22nd September, the association proposes to stage another match, when it is hoped to secure one of the well-known performers now in Australia as one of the principals. Ted Thye is being mentioned in this respect. Another Featherweight Contest. At a meeting this week the match making committee of the Wellington Boxing Association made tentative arrangements for a bout here at an early date. Either Donovan or Leckie is likely to be one of the principals, the other being an imported boxer. Notes from Dunedin. During the week Johnny Leckie, featherweight boxing champion of New Zealand,, was in Dunedin on a business visit, and from what he said in an interview with "The Post's" correspondent it appears as if the game is going to boom in the North Island during the next montli or two. Leckie meets a former opponent in Norman Gillespie, lightweight champion of Australia, at Napier on 4th October, and he stated-that, it was probable the weight limit of 9st •lib.,would be agreed upon, though he willnot come into the ring much above 9st. The last time tho pair met as featherweights in Dunediu, and Leckie .won one of the most exciting fights ' ever seen here, after fifteen thrilling and hard-fought rounds. It is possible Leckie will be meeting Bobby Blay, a well-performed Australian fighter, at Wellington on 13th October, and ho is likely to be meeting Donovan again very shortly. The, Otago Boxing Association offered him a contest with Donovan, but he will be unable to appear here before the middle of November, though he will be prepared to fight here then if the terms are suitable. Gisborne is after a contest between Leckie and Donovan, but Johnny says that while he is prepared to meet Donovan there, and VDonovan has agreed, the fight for featherweight title has been- promised to the Napier Boxing Association. Leckie will fight as a featherweight whenever opponents offer, but he states he has been offered a contest with -his cousin, Hector Leckie, holder of the lightweight championship, for the title, though nothing definite has been arranged. It would be a big draw if the two cousins were brought together in the same ring'for the championship. : Already Johnny's brother, W.> Leckie,; has met Hector's brother1 Dick in a-bout here at the Otago amateur championships, Dick being knocked out. .Johnny Leckie has been approached1 by the manager of the Leichardt '■ Stadium, Sydney, concerning another visit.to .Australia, but ho is not keen, to; go. Steelier and Ebert.: ' ", The ne-st wrestling contest to be staged in Duuedin, will be between Tony Steeher and Tfted. Ebert, and following Hhat bout on.29th September it is probable that • contests will again be held weekly. Leckie Sought After. It is reported in a Napier paper that Johnny, Leekie has been asked to name a price for three bouts in Sydney, but with a number of matches in view in this country it. is ' unlikely he will make the ■ trip., at ; preseut. Leckie has been asked to take- a return bout with Donovan in New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Gisborne, and Auckland, but it is stated he intends to stick to Napier, where Donovan is due to arrive in October in search of the title. Otago on the Move. There is every prospect of a bout being staged in Dunedin at an early date. At present negotiations aro on foot to match Larvy, the Scottish heavyweight in Archie Leckie's school, with E. Nicoll, of Southland, who was runner-up at the New Zealand amateur championships last month. One of tho Old School. On Thursday of last week death claimed "Billy" Parka-, one of the outstanding figures in tho old school of local boxers (reports a Duuedin paper)A very scientific lightweight, with an attractive style and a beautiful straight left, he was a pupil of Jem Mace, and consistently won the medal that was awarded to the best boxer in the school. "Billy" later taught, Billy and Dick Leekio (the father of Johnny), and through them the "Parker" style has been handed down to the present generation of Leekies. Deceased figured in many bouts in the old Princess Theatre, and on one occasion boxed an exhibition bout witli Billy Murphy. About 25. years ago he managed a New Zealand team that went to Australia. "Billy," who was the father of Albert and Vornou, who are at present prominent in local boxing circles, was also a fino sricketer, and in the evening of his days there was nothing he liked better than to be a spectator at a match and indulge in reminiscences. Pasha's Eighth Straight Win. There was a dramatic finish to the wrestling bout between Kara Pasha aiul Alex. Lunclyn at llawei'a, states the "TavanakL Daily 'News." The l^iiui was having rather tho better of the contest, and was leading in the fifth round by the only' fall, when the Tev-

rible Turk ■ secured a crotch hold preparatory to an aeroplane spin. He did not quite succeed, but • back slammed his opponent heavily to the mat for the equalising fall. Lundyn was severely shaken, and was easily pinned in the sixth round. Kara Pasha weighed 12st 91b-and Lundyn 12st'121b. In the first round-Kara Pasha threw Lundyn with an arm bar followed by body scissors. Lundyn broke clear and punished his opponent with legscissors. Tho Turk broke to secure a toe-hold and changed this for a headlock when Luudyn wriggled free and chased his opponent. Lundyn tried a reverse arm lock and-then obtained a heal scissors, which Tie Turk broke to secure a short arm scissors. Lundyn countered with a painful leg hold followed by head scissors, but Kara Pasha had a leg hold at the gong. Kara Pasha, had the early advantage in the second session, with short arm scissors followed by a wrist-lock. Lundyn, on freeing himself, nearly secured a Boston Crab, getting-only'one leg back. The Turk was dazed with a headlock, and Lundyn threw him with a full Nelson. Lundyn seemed beaten when the Turk had a punishing arm stretch, but^he emerged to throw, the Asiatic grappler with a half Nelson. Lundyn had a short leg scissors when the gong sounded.

In the third round Lundyn twice had a full splits which had Kara Pasha in trouble. He escaped, however, and with head-locks kept the Finn on the defensive. Lundyn reversed the positions, and with a back waist hold secured the first fall. , .' •

Both tried head.scissors in tho fourth round, the Turk following 'it with a short arm scissors frdni which Lundyn escaped by a toe-hold. Kara Pasha put the Finn down with a painful reverse arm. lock, Lundyn retaliating with an arm hold which gave him the opportunity to apply a short arm scissors. AVhen they broke Kara Pasha tried to throw his opponent with a crotch hold, but without success.

Kara Pasha had an arm bar in the fifth round when Lundyn effected a flying scissors. Lundyn had his opponent in-.bad shape with an exceedingly painful short arm. scissors, tho Turk breaking clear after a full- minute by pulling on the ropes •■with, his free hand. Kara Pasha assumed the offensive and, securing a crotch hold, back-slammed Lundyn for the equalising.fall. Lundyn was dazed, but resumed in the sixth round. He was thrown by a succession of head locks which left him dazed, the Turk gaining the deciding fall within a, minute. Bobbie Blay Coming. j The promising Australian featherweight, Bobby Blay, is. leaving. Sydnew for New Zealand-on'loth October under an extended -contract to the Wellington Boxing Association, and his opponents, as was stated previously, will include Donovan and Leckic. Tho Australian's first appearance,should be soon.after he arrives, and, as the Wellington Association's attempts to stag© a bout this month have .been abortive, this will be ..the first, fight here since Donovan beat another- Australian in Bert Osborne-. •