HANHAM WINS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 70, 19 September 1941, Page 7

HANHAM WINS

LOCAL BOXING BOUT

TOWN HALL PACKED

On the basis of attendance the Wellington Boxing Association had one of its most successful occasions for some years last night when the Town Hall was packed almost to the rafters, j Had all the seats been occupied many patrons would probably still have found it necessary to stand. The huge crowd could be taken as a win for local interest as, outside that factor, the main bout had no special box office appeal. Those present included the following Army chiefs, Major-; General Futtick, .Chief of the General J Staff; Colonel Goss, General Staff; and j Colonel Con way, Adjutant General. The professional contest resulted in Cliff Hanham (list 8|lb), formerly of Waimate, and now living in Wellington, scoring a points decision against Les. Strickland (list 81b), Wellington, over twelve three-minute rounds. The display was not remarkable for scientific boxing, but was willingly contested and the fortunes varied in such a way as to keep interest keen.. Hanham, who holds the Dominion middle and light heavy-weight titles, was superior in boxing skill against an opponent who had not been seen here since he fought as an amateur about seven or eight years ago, but had |.since fought professionally in Sydney. Strickland, however, was moving in all the time, and some "haymakers" (both lefts and rights) threatened the destruction of Hanham if they connected. He managed to shake his opponent with some body punches, and, halfway through the bout, had an excellent winning chance. Hanham's science then asserted itself, however, and he more than made up. the leeway. He put Strickland down for a count of nine in the ninth round. Mr.. Phin Stone was the referee, and the judges for the evening were Messrs. j P. W. Woods and W. P. Sommerville. j AMATEUR PRELIMINARIES. G. Rodley (Railways), lOst, beat G. Johnston (Cotterell's), lOst 4slb, on points; M. Barnett (Crowley's), list 101b, beat J, Kelleher (Hedberg's), 12sti &£lb, on points; A. Doak (Training College), lOst lHlb, beat F. Moyes (Newtown), list lib, on points; M. Turner (■Railways),, list 121b, beat T. Coll (Tracey's), 12st 21b, on points; E. Willetts (Hedberg's), lOst 91b, beat H. Carbin (Gatley's), 9st 91b, on points; T. Taylor (Railways), Bst 61b, beat R. Beech (Stop Out), Bst BJib, on points. Captain P. G. Thomson was the referee.