NEW TITLE-HOLDER

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 23

NEW TITLE-HOLDER

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

By an unusual turn of events Maurice' Strickland (Wellington) became profes-j sionaf heavyweight'boxiiig champion of the Dominion this week, defeating Val Luttrcll (Hastings) at Christchurch for the second time in about te.n days. Luttrcll was to have met Nieol, the title-holder, in a challenge: bout, but Nicol'wiis incapacitated as the result of a boil on' his arm, and-Strickland was brought in to fill the breach. In order that the Clmsfehurch public should not be robbed1 of tho• opportunity of witnessing a championship bout Nicol voluntarily surrendered Uis title, a sporting.action which was appreciated by the crowd. ~ : According to reports tho bout was ono of the- poorest professional contests that Christchurch has seen, and southern eiitic3 consider that Nicol' has only to moot his successor in the ring and he will be bound to rojrain the title. -".-■■

Permission 'for the Luttrell-Strickland bout to be a title contest was given only on the Condition that the winner is to meet Nieol for tho"" championship. On the night of tho bout there were rumours in Christchurch that Strickland woiild not enter the ring and that his trainer was making demands, not provided for under the rules, as to the amount Strickland was to receive. It is understood that the point in question will be brought to the notice of the New , Zealand Boxing Council. The rules definitely stato that "no- local association shall agreo to pay, or pay. a professional a stated sum—win, lose" or draw. " . .