The Ring—News and Notes

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 22

The Ring—News and Notes

CYRIL-HUME DESERVES MORE ENGAGEMENTS

By "Aenoat."

If tlioro was one question left inj the minds of those who saw . Cyril Hurnc in action against Herb Larson at tho Town Hall on Tuosday night, it was not whether he deserved the decision,* but why his reappearance was so long overdue; A local , product,Hume has had to go elsewhere for engagements -while boxing in the capital ■has been resting in the doldrums because (apparently) there was no local talent of sufficient calibre to attract the public. ■ So far as Hurne was concerned, he had convincingly shown on each appearance that he was worthy of consideration for a match in his homo town. At very short notice he recently went to Blenheim to substitute for George as an opponent for Clarrio Rayner, tho featherweight champion, ,and, although ho had made no adequate preparation, consented to' tho regulation championship conditions of fifteen throe-minute rounds. Against a ooy 121b heavier than himself, Hurno had to accept defeat by a.knock-out in the sixth round, but, according to a \south-c-rn report, the result "detracted not one whit from the l fine reputation borne by Hurne as one of tho most skilful boxers in the country at his .weight." A win over Percy Hawes, the former featherweight champion, was another good performance) by Hurne. LAKSEN DOES lIIS PART. In emphasising the fine showing made by Hume, credit must also bo given to Larson for the unflagging spirit with which ho did his share to keep tho proceedings interesting. It takes two to make a. fight, and -though he must quickly have realised that ho was out-matchod in spood and skill, Larson kept plugging away, and at times he scored well, both from a distance and close in.

Larsen has had only two or three engagements since ho ontered tho professional ranks, 'but is the right sort of boy to make- steady progress providing he is given opportunities of gaining experience. He and Hurne are only 'two of the Wellington boxers who have become professionals in recent years, and have subsequently laguished in fistic inactivity. Hurne won the Wellington amateur bantamweight championship in 1928, and changed over the next year. Whether the public or the controlling body is to blame is not so important as the fact that unless something is, done to provide encouragement for such boys, and incidentally to maintain public interest, there will bo a danger of tho sport slipping so far back that a recovery Vill be exceedingly difficult. It was shown on Tuesday night that at least the makings of tho talent- alleged to be missrlig1 arc on hand, and tho sooner tini development, process is put iv Invud. the better. . |