A BOXING BOOM?

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 11

A BOXING BOOM?

INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA

AMERICAN IMPORTATIONS There was one passenger who arrived by the Maunganui from Sydney today who, to use his own expression, was "tickled to death" to meet people. He was Mr. Jack Lawrence, an American boxing manager, who is on his way back to the United States to bring a team of boxers out to Australia. It is only a few weeks ago since he landed in Australia with three ring men in his ■ charge—Tommy King (middleweight), Tommy Jones (a young welterweight negro), and Harry Devine (welterweight). In an interview, Mr. Lawrence said that King had made a great, impression in his bout in Sydney last .month with Fred Henneberry, the middleweight champion of Australia, his gameness and all-round exhibition having earned for him considerable ■kudos. King had only been nine days 'iri Australia and was suffering from an attack of influenza. . . Mr. Lawrence said that he would be seeking out lOst 71b and list 61b men in America. The indications pointed to a keen revival of the boxing game in Australia, and he had been commissioned by the National Boxing1 Club of Australia to select suitable boxers in the United States.^ The display given by King had opened the eyes of the authorities to the possibilities there were in matches with good men from overseas. They were keen, and plenty of money seemed to be available. So far as his mission was concerned he knew he could get good talent in America.

In discussing boxing generally in Australia, Mr. Lawrence referred to a project to hold open-air bouts at the Sydney Cricket Grounds. He added that there were moneyed men behind the proposition. • "'''.'■■

.v According to his schedule, Mr. Lawfence is to return to Australia during the fourth week in September. While he is away King, whom he described as the best middle-weight to be brought to Australia in twenty yeari, is to be in charge of Jones and Devihe. He added that King was to have studied for the Church, but his mother died when he was fourteen, and he had taken up boxing. Jones, he said, was only a "baby," being eighteen years :f)i age, but. he was one of the best ;negro .welterweights in the world. ..-If' We was in 4rim he predicted he would cause. Jack Carroll a lot of trouble in their bout tonight at the Paishcutter Say Stadium. ■