In the Ring

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 20

In the Ring

By "Aeneas." BLENHEIM'S EFFORTS

* FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

NEWS AND NOTES

The New Zealand. Amateur Boxing Championship tournament which is to bo held in Blenheim on September 7, 8, and 9 promises to be one1 of the most successful on record. The Marlborough people have thoroughly entered into the spirit of the affair, and it is intended to hold a carnival week in conjunction with the championships. Tho festivities will commence on September 4, and will continue until the final night of the championships. It is said that tho whole of the entertainment money has already been collected, and what with processions, spectacular lighting displays, and decorations, and various other manifestations, of the carnival spirit, Blenheim intends to put itself right on the pugilistic map. Suitable boat arrangements have been made for Wellington enthusiasts to attend the championships, and more especially tho final night. DISAPPOINTING DISPLAY In a disappointing professional encounter between Kay Nicol, New Zealand light-heavy and heavyweight champion, and Billy Sullivan, of Hastings, under the auspices of the Hamilton Boxing Association, Sullivan was awarded the decision when, after tho ninth round, the champion was unablo .to continue through an injury to his left wrist. Up to this stage Nicol had a wide lead on points and throughout had quite outclassed his opponent (says tho "Waikato Times"). At no stago of the proceedings did Sullivan appear a match for Nicol, and ho was called upon to take severe punishment in the seventh, eighth, and ninjh rounds. It was an unfortunate match withal. On tho previous occasion on which these men met in Auckland they gave a splendid exhibition, and the decision went only narrowly in favour of Nicol. Sullivan certainly did not justify tho reputation he gained in their Auckland meeting. His display was a rather sorry one, and he was decidedly lucky to last the nine rounds. Ho was down for thq count of nine in tho seventh round, and it was obvious that he could not have stayed the full 15 rounds had Nicol been able to carry on. CLEVER FEATHERWEIGHTS Percy Hawcs, who opened his professional career auspiciously when he turned in a classy display to beat Joe Franklin at New Plymouth, received a setback when he was outpointed by Colin Jones, of Oamaru, in the latter's homo town. Jones proved himself a shifty customer, and his clever footwork made Hawes miss repeatedly. The Christehurch boy tried hard with his dangerous right, and landed it to tho body solidly at times, but the other boy's speed had him worried throughout the bout, and, according to reports, the decision in favour of Jones was a popular one. THE AUSTRALIAN TRIP Prom further communications received from Australia by Mr. George Aldridge, the secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Council, it is evident' that the Australian amateur boxing authorities are leaving no stone unturned to make this year's Australasian championships, an unqualified success. It is mentioned that there will be no lightheavyweight class at the championships, and this means that the New Zealand team will not contain any fighter of this weight. Mr. Aldridge points out the committee responsible for the selection of tho New Zealand team intends sending only boys who, in their opinion, are up to standard. With tho exception of light-heavyweights, boys of any weight from flyweight to heavyweight will be eligible for selection, but they will have to show a good standard of skill. CORBETT'S~BAD LUCK Young Corbett, who won the welterweight championship of the world in one fight and lost it the next, has had ample experience that bad luck never comes singly. Following on the.loss of his title Corbett had the misfortune to have his nine-year-old son seriously injured in nn automobile accident, and, as if this was not enough, the ex-cham-pion and his wife were held up by bandits as they were returning to California from the Chicago World Fair. The robbers took £55 in cash from Corbett and two diamond rings, valued at £.100, from his wife, and then let them drive on. When Corbett tried to tell the men who he was the leader is said to have remarked: "Where did you get that stuff? Corbett is dead." Enthusiasts will sympathise with Billy Crawford and Jack Crowley, who lost' the whole of their apparatus when the gymnasium they were occupying was burnt out last Friday night. They estimate the actual damage at £54, but as both had large collections of photographs which had a high sentimental valuo it is difficult to assess their loss in actual cash. This is the fourth fire the popular Crowley has been involved in, but he is undeterred, and intends to carry on again if suitable arrangements can be made.