BOXING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 23

BOXING

BY "AENEAS'

YOUTH AND WEIGHT

CAMPBELL GOES WELL

NEWS AND NOTES

The first professional fight staged in Tiniaru in four years, between Alan Campbell (Timaru), holder of the Now Zealand heavyweight title, and Laehie Macdonald (Auckland), ex-middle-weight champion of Australia, saw the newly-formed South Canterbury Boxing Association rewarded with a pa-ckod house for its first professional enterprise. A beautiful straight left, which connected with monotonous regularity, together with a cleverly-varied attack, gave the advantage to Campbell in every round except the seventh, Macdonald being heavily punished at long range (states the "Timaru Post"). The Aucklander fought bravely against a heavier, faster, and moro youthful opponent, but it was obvious early that the contest would not go the distanco, and ho signalled defeat in the tenth round, after having been down for a count of eight in the ninth round. At 12st 51b Campbell had 01b the tetter of the weights. Boxing brilliantly, Campbell piled up points from the vory first round, in which he pumped lightning, lefts to Macdonald's face, crossing his right to head and body. Macdonald attempted to got in close at every opportunity, concentrating his attack on his opponent's body. There wore- some hectic exchanges towards the end\of the round, Macdonald making up leeway with clean loft and right hoods to the jaw. Although thia round was fairly oven, Campbell handed out severe punishment in tho next sossion. He shot from his corner as tho gong sounded, snapped three lightning lefts to tho jaw, and then rocked Macdonald with a heavy right hook, which, fortunately for him, landed above the point. The Aueklander rushed to closo quarters, but laid himself open to punishment in doing so, and ho was glad to clinch. The referee' broke the men, and Campbell again went after his man. The third and fourth rounds saw Campbell in front all the way, although the exchanges produced fierce fighting. Battered by stinging lefts, Macdonald was now bleeding from the mouth, but, in the fourth session, ho rallied, and smartly slipping a left lead, he smashed both hands to 'Campbell's face. Blood streamed from the Timavu man's nose, but the punishment only had the effect of making him tighten his attack. The fifth and sixth, rounds saw Campbell punishing his man on tho ropes, but, in the seventh, Macdonald, with the shadow of defeat looming near, put everything he had into a last terrific onslaught. The men, too to toe, swapped punches in the middle of tho ring. The house, anticipating a knock-out, roared in excitement. Both men weathered the storm, but Macdonald had fought' his fight, and only his gameness kept him standing, weaving wearily in an attempt to avoid further punishment. The eighth round saw Campbell again taking the- fight to his opponent, who, forced to the ropes, tried in vain to find an effective cover for the rain of blows which were showered upon him. He went to close quarters, but, weakened by punishment, his body blows were ineffective, mostly being taken on Campbell's arms and gloves. The referee separated the men, Campbell again forcing Maedonald to the ropes, hitting him at will. Three left drives and a hard right sent the Aucklander to the canvas for a count of eight at tho end of the ninth round. With hands down, Maedonald was saved by tho bell, and though his seconds worked hard on him in his corner, he was in bad shape when the gong sounded for the tenth and last round. Campbell immediately went to the attack, connecting with both hands to the face. The men clinched, and when broken by the referee, Macdonald raised his hand as a signal of defeat. Although beaten by a bigger and a better man, Laclnc Muedonald, as groat in defeat as in victory, will alj ways be remembered by those who saw

the contest for his courageous display in a buttle in which tho odds wfo heavily against him from the outset. Both men received ovations. Business on the Mend. Business is brightening up a little for tho Australian welterweight' champion, Tommy Fairhall, for ho meets Reg. Trowern again to-night, this time at Stratford, and on 28th March ho is down to faeo Charlie Purdy at Westport. This will bo tho cx-Auck-lander's first appearance in New Zealand for some- time, and considerable interest is being shown on how he will fare against the evergreen "Tonmiy." In his training work at the Community Club Purdy has been showing much of his old cleverness, and should the pair put up a good exhibition a. return bout should provide some association with a first rate contest. About Hughes. Although he has nothing definite in view, the likeable little Australian, Archie Hughes, is working out regularly, and this week ho has been sparring with Tommy Fan-hall at the Police Gymnasium. Hughes, after his fine effort against Allen Whitlow, is not likely to bo kept idle long, and there is a probability of his being matched against Tommy Donovan at Auckland on 16th April. This match depends, however, a great deal oa the success of the Donovan-Johns affair in the northern city on Monday night, when tho lightweight title' which Johns recently won from Hector Lecide will be at stake. Monday's Contest. Wellington enthusiasts will have another opportunity on Monday night of seeing tlio Victorian crack Bobby Blay in action again. Opposed to Blay will be Joey Thomas, tho Chicago boy, who in liis first bout hore lost to Archie Hughes on a foul. This was Thomas's first offort over fifteen rounds, and tho American considers that now ho has gono most oi' that distance lie will be able to do himself moro justice than ho did in hia first, contest. Blay, of course, is one of the best draw cards that has been in this country, and on. his past performances ho will more than keep tho American busy. Monday's Preliminaries. The following are four of the preliminary amateur bouts arranged for next Monday's contest between Blay aud Thomas:—White v. Woods; L. Strickland v. Hawker; Billish v. Arbutlmot; Griffin v. M'Donald. Another bout is boing arranged between Petrio, of Victoria College, and a Training College representative.