NEGRO BOXER
DEACON LEO KELLY
On their way to Australia, some rather interesting personalities of the boxing ring have passed through New Zealand recently. Of these people none perhaps have been so colourful as Leo Kelly, a light-heavyweight from Los Angeles, who, with his manager, Mr. W. Newman, arrived by the Makura yesterday, en route to Sydney. In the first place Kelly is a negro, in the second he is a preacher. Deacon Leo Kelly, they call him in the States. Another point of note about Kelly, without going into his record, is that he does not leave his Bible at home when he is on fighting bent. He is reported to read a verse from one of the psalms of. David before he enters the ring. The psalm is No. 144, and the verse: "Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." The dusky boxer's manager displayed a book of Press cuttings containing an imposing record of his charge's contests, and the photograph that took most attention in it was one of Kelly in fighting gear, reading his Bible before he went into vthe ring.
In the opinion of Mr. Newman, Deacon Leo Kelly is a really tough proposition for any light-heavyweight. His principal opponent in Australia will be the Australian champion, Ambrose Palmer. "I reckon Palmer will only go four rounds with Kelly," declared the manager.
Kelly is 24 years of age, and has been boxing for three and a half years. According to the Press cuttings and other particulars shown to Press representatives, Kelly has scored 26 knockouts in 41 fights. He is going to Sydney under contract to the management of the Leichardt Stadium for four fights.- Mr. Newman said they had a guarantee for the first fight of 1000 dollars in American money with the privilege of 25 per cent, of the "gate." Jaget Singh, a Hindu wrestler, who is to appear in New Zealand, and J. Woods, an American wrestler, who is going on to Australia, also arrived by the Makura. Another wrestler on the ship for New Zealand was Ole Andresen.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 4
Word Count
357NEGRO BOXER Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 4
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