IN THE RING

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 38, 13 August 1932, Page 24

IN THE RING

By "Aeneas"

OXLEY WINS

BEATS JOHNS ON" POINTS

A GOOD FINISH

After two sensational ' concluding rounds, in which Harry Johns (9s*t 101b), of Auckland, appeared likely to be knocked out at any moment, Ted Oxley (9st 41b), of Pahiatua, secured a verdict on points in a fifteen round professional contest, staged by the National Boxing Association in the Drill Hall last week. The bout was quite one of.the best that has been staged by_ the association for some years past, being marked by good clean boxing with plenty of- movement and hard hitting (says the "Herald"). "In the fourteenth round Oxley had the Aueklander's knees sagging following a vigorous. encounter in mid-ring, and from then until the end of the round he fought vigorously to put the issue beyond doubt, but without avail. Johns came up still groggy for tho last session and immediately the Pahiatua representative rushed in with one obvious intention in mind. ' Twice he sent his man to the canvas for counts of seven or eight, but with remarkable "pluck and. tenacity he held on and managed to weather the storm. O::ley showed himself to be a solid punching boxer,. and always a dangerous one, but did not have, tho same smart footwork, as his opponent, who caused him to miss frequently ■on occasions. He used his right to better advantage, and many times he sent it home so that it hurt. In the concluding stages he tired badly, and until Johns became groggy he did not have the same pep and vigour as his opponent, and there is no doubt that if he had had that little extra strength and vitality ho would have had no difficulty in securing the knock-out. Oxley was giving away six pounds in weight, and this probably had its effect upon him in the concluding stages. On tho other hand, Johns deserves every credit for his plucky display, and he was by no means disgraced. He is the holder of tho New Zealand lightweight championship, but last night's bout was not one in which the title was at stake. ■ Ho was quicker and faster on his feet and with his gloves than Oxley, but he lost many points by repeatedly hitting with an open' glove. His weaving and- footwork made his opponent miss badly on' occasions, and Sometimes even prevented him from attempting to. hit him at all. There was, however, little sting behind his blows, and he never connected with anything that looked like resulting in a knock-out. ""•' . : , . The bout was fought in the best of spirits throughout, and'although both delivered occasional blows that were.a iittle low, neither was hurt and they were purely accidental. ' Wrestling Notes. Harry Demetral will be' maTung his first appearance in Wellington this sea-son-when he faces George Wilson in the ring at the Town Hall on Monday night. Demetral did not live up to the promise.he gave at the outsot lagt season but, from all reports, he has been showing greatly, improved form this season/and the fact that ho has put up two fine showings against George Walker indicates that he will make matters very, interesting for the popula/ Wilson. George Walker" and George Wilson have been matched'to meet at Gisborne on 18th August. . Most of the- matmen, who are at present in Australia, will find their way back here within the next week or so. Abe Kaplan, the Jewish wrestler, who promises to be one of the'best drawcards here this season, and Sam Clapham are expected on the Zealandia on her next trip. Harry Mamos and Tommy Thompson have notified the New Zealand controlling body tljat they will bo here by the Aorangi, and Dean Detton,, Billy Ifeeske, and Al. Karasick are expected shortly afterwards. There is a possibility that by permission of the Wellington Wrestling Association a bout will be staged at the Winter Show Stadium shortly. The Wellington1 Wrestling Associa-tions-match following on tho WilsonDemetral contest on Monday night will probably be held in the Opera House as the ToAvn Hall will be engaged for other purposes. Carried From the King, Dumped into unconsciousness and carried from the ring by his' seconds, a doctor and an ambulance attendant — that was the fate ■of Harry Demetral, Greek-American heavyweight wrestler, who met George Walker in the Auckland Town Hall last Monday. There was a large attendance, and the crowd enjoyed fast and Willing wrestling until tho fifth round, when Walker took the first fall. Demetral was unable to come up for round six, and. Walker was declared ,the winner (says tho "Auckland Star"). When the pair met a week ago Demetral was unlucky is mistaking a signal by the referee and being caught off his guard; last night the GreekAmerican was squarely beaten. The dump that made him unconscious was one of the hardest seen at'the Town Hall, and Demetral lost alljnterest in the proceedings. He was dragged to his corner but was too groggy to sit on his chair. His seconds worked over him feverishly, but when the gong went for the commencement of the sixth round he was lying flat on his back. Not until he had been carried to his room did he learn that it was all over. Although tho match was fast and interesting, it was hardly as exciting as the first contest between the pair A new referee, Mr. Tom Cox, had charge of the match, the police having refused to allow Mr. Charles Pollard, the association's regular referee, to act as third man. The reason given by the police for refusing Mr. Pollard author tnn rV?-!* k° alloWca the wrestlers too much liberty, and it was noticeable last evening that Mr. Cox was. much stricter in his rulings. The tighter con- £ o ™nXer^ ed by Mr- Cox di* «>t find iavour with a section of the crowd, but it was obvious that he was merely carK3 °, Ub instroe«°as- At times ?te?l rt appeared at a ] °ss to under- ' 7' ho new referee's instructions, tol t, l P/°* est(: a when earned abou W« ?w th- st, ranglG-hold. From the the L^^ ngled witi\ tn° cheers at that t? • co, ntest ifc was ob™™ wrtfr ISU a lar Se sectiou of the wrestling public who want to see Walker beaten. ■ Community Club To-night. Those who were present at the recent tournament, staged by the Community Club instructor, Joe Mears, in St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, will need little encouragement to find their way there to-night, when Mears is putting on another all amateur programme. Somo exceptionally attractive bouts are on the card,