IN THE RING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 20

IN THE RING

by Aeneas" ANOTHER HOPE BEATEN BERG'S.FIGHT FOR TITLE COURAGEOUS CHALLENGER

Not since the days of the incomparable Jimmy Wilde has England had such a successful boxer as Jack (Kid) Berg, and it was a sad blow to British sportsmen when the East End Jew was knocked out in the third round of his bout with Tony Canzoneri for the lightweight championship of the world. Berg had previously won from Canzoneri, but the New Orleans Italian in the second bout showed, as he has done on many previous occasions, that he is an in-and-out fighter who ib liable to turn in a great display when least expected. The end came with dramatic suddenness after 2min 22soc of the third round had elapsed (recounts a boxing writer). A short, vicious, right-hand smash, which found a resting-place flush on Berg's unprotected jaw, sent him down on his face. The punch did not travel more than six inches, but landed with terrific impact. • Berg appeared to bo., hypnotised by the punch, and he did not move a fraction of an inch as it smashed against his jaw. Berg was1 beaten, but he wasn't disgraced by any means. He went down fighting. The attendance fell far short of expectations, being variously estimated as "between 11,500 and 13,500. Berg was far from himself, but Tony was exceptionally fortunate in effecting a k/nock-out just then. Otherwise, his injured hand would have prevented him from fighting up to scratch, and Berg would easily have won on points. Not all their joy and abundant satisfaction at Canzoneri's victory, however, has undermined 'America's devotion to the Stepney boy. They love his superb pluck and never-stop methods. Subsequent reports show that there is a possibility that Berg may got another chance at the title within the next two months. Cook on the Move. George Cook, the Australian heavyweight, is to meet the ex-Greymouth boxer, Jack O'Malley, in Auckland at the end of this month if present arrangements hold 'good, and later there is a possibility of him being seen in action against the New Zealand heavyweight champion, Alan Campbell, at Timaru. After New Zealand, Cook is scheduled to go to Morocco, where, it is said,- he has contracted for three fights at Algiers. Cook is probably the most-travelled boxer of modern times, and there are very few parts of the world whero he has not displayed his pugilistic wares. New Plymouth Busy. The TaranaM Boxing Association has been busy recently, and as a result two bouts, which should prove attractive, have been arranged for the near future.' The first will be. a return contest between Tommy Donovan and Joey Thomas on 20th June, and on Ist July Harry Johns and Donovan will meet to clarify the position once and for all in regard to the lightweight title. Mr. Ned Perry, whose efforts have given every satisfaction, has been engaged to referee both fights. Miramar Activities. . The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Miramar Boxing Club held this week: —Patron, Mr. L. Smith; president, Mr. W. Hawker; vice-presidents, Messrs.-A. M. Pinkerton and C. Donoghue; hon. secretary, Mr. J. C. Troy; hon treasurer, Mr. F. Broomfield; hon. instructor, Mr. B. H. Donoghue; committee, Messrs. C. O. Bell, A. L. Trower, G. Hill, S. G. Morrison, A. Horsfall, T. Tierney, and" B. Walton. In addition to two silver cups and five gold medals, the club spent £41 10s in trophies during the year. The club hopes to continue its activities during the coming year, commencing with the junior championslaps, which will be staged in the Capitol Theatre. Miramar, on Tuesday, 30th June. Junior Championships. Entries for all classes for the Wellington junior championships which are to be held under the auspices of the Miramar Boxing Club, close with1 the secretary of the club (Mr. J. C. Troy) on 24th June. The names will then be submitted to the association officials for classification. Competitors in the junior championships will be eligible to compete in the Wellington championships about the middle of July. Leekie's Statement. Johnny Leckie left Dunedin for Napier on Wednesday, but before he left he told "The Post's" correspondent he was sorry that indisposition had caused him to fight well below form, and said that he was anxious to show his Dunedin friends that he was still far from being a spent force. Leckie is not satisfied that when he is in form the American, Thomas, can beat him, and he would welcome the opportunity of another contest in Dunedin at an early date, either with Thomas or any other boxer. The exfeatherweight champion stated that the doctor said he had had paralysis of the bowels, and that he was fortunate in getting off without an operation. It was just the fact'that an operation might have meant that Leckie would not box again that caused the doctor to persevere with the treatment without an operation. Leckio was not back to normal when he left Dunedin with his wife on Wednesday, and stated that on the morning of the fight he felt well. Towards the afternoon he began to feel a few pains and his legs also stiffened up a little. He thought it might be a touch of influenza, but that it would wear off. He went to bed in the afternoon, and when he arose at 5.30 he felt no life in him. Whatever was the complaint, he said that it affected his eyesight, because about the seventh or eight rounds he thought he was closer to his opponent than he was, and missed him by a foot at least. Leckio spoke to the referee during the bout and at the end of the tonth round his stomach was swelling and he had pains which made it impossible for him to go any further. Leckie expressed, himself as being favourable to the percentage system of purses, and said he would fight anywhere in the Dominion on the percentage basis. Leckie is now below the featherweight limit, and intends making an effort to enter the ring next time out under nine stone. If he is successful, he will issue a challenge to DonoTEtn for th« featherweight title,