BOXING

Evening Star, Issue 19522, 1 April 1927, Page 12

BOXING

[Bj Hookkb.]

All professional licenses expired yesterday, and no matches can be authorised by associations until boxers have had new licepses approved and issued by the New Zealand Boxing Council. The local Boxing Association has received notification from tho New Zealand Boxing Council that defaulting associations in the matter of fees will receive no consideration in the allocation of grants towards the transport expenses of boxers to the New Zealand amateur championships at Invercargill next August. Otago University should he represented by a better than average team at the New Zealand University boxing championships at Easter time. On the keenness and -form shown at the tryout tournament in Marama Hall last week it is apparent that the local ’Varsity has a good deal of promising talent at its disposal for luture requirements. Two of Great Britain’s leading boxers in Harry Mason, who was forced to relinquish the European light-weight championship on account of having outgrown the division, amd Cockney Buxton, a Leeds light-weight, are coming to Australia under contract to Stadiums for five contests each. Another boxer of note, Kid Nicholson, a Leeds ban-tam-weight, was to have accompanied them, but ho is staying in London to box Teddy Baldock. who recently knocked out Johnny Brown and became the boxing sensation in England, at the National Sporting _ Club, London. Nicholson holds two victories over Baldock, and intends to come to Australia after his third contest with him.

Fierce fighting, though clean arid enthusiastic exchanges, are more often than not tho rule at the local ’Varsity tryouts, but last week’s tournament provided more than the usual willing stoush between fight-willing students, some of the contestants displaying a high standard of boxing ability. In fact, the boxing was of a higher standard, taken all round, than has been the case for some years. A notable absentee from tho heavy-weight division was the redoubtable Jim Leckio, though he was at tho tourney in the role of an onlooker.

It was expected that the titbit of tho evening would bo provided in the meeting in tho light-weight final of the Un’versity boxing skipper, Les. Cotter, and a now aspirant for his boxing blue in Stan Foley, who has had a good grounding in tho game. Expectations were realised, the bout providing the best exhibition of boxing seen during tho evening. For lovers of stoush pure and simple there were many willing exchanges, both men standing toe to too and swapping blows for all they wore worth. Cotter is an old “ Blue ” and an ex-New Zealand University champion, which makes Foley’s win all the more meritorious,! Foley already has a decision over Davis, tho present New Zealand University light-weight champion, having defeated him at the witcrtraihing colleges’ tourney last August. His chances at Auckland would appear to be rosy indeed, for Archie Decide has got him in rare fettle just uoav. In his contest with Cotter Foley showed himself to bo the cleverer of the pah, and by his superior ringcraft he was, to use a common phrase, “all over” his opponent at tho finish. Cotter took the honors in tho first round, in which Foley appeared to bo feeling his way. Cotter connected with a straight left and right swing, but Foley was very elusive and quick on his feet, and frequently got out of danger by his clever footwork. He took the second round, and finished with something to spare, though Cotter was far from disgraced. Foley packs a punch in both hands, though it was with a speedy and vicious-looking left that he scored most frequently. He got in some tolling short-arm blows to the body with both hands, and it was in this direction that Cotter’s defence was weakest. Whoever beats Foley at Auckland should just about carry off the title, though the writer expects him to como through undefeated. Cotter did not take the ring in a«a good condition as Foley, hut he made a close contest of it all the same. His defence was not as good as that of his opponent. Though his straight work was not up to Foley's, ho made good use of his left on occasions, Ho failed to make the most of several openings that presented themselves, and it was only in flashes that ho employed his right. He tired badly in the closing stages, when Foley came to light with a rapid succession of straight lefts and right hooks. Looking for a match under the auspices of the Otago Boxing Association is the Taranaki and ex-New Zealand welter-weight boxing champion, Dick Beveridge, who is prepared to meet any welter in New Zealand at a weight round about lOst 51b. Ho recently defeated Nelson M'Knight at To Aroha, and is prepared to meet him in a return contest over fifteen rounds. His fight with Jamito drew a record house at Now Plymouth, being the best contest ever staged there. Loveridge is looting for a chance to gain tho ‘ Truth ’ welter-weight bolt, and is keen to meet Artie Hny for this purpose. Reg. Trowern is another that Loveridge would be prepared to meet. They met ns amateurs in 1924 in the final of the light-weight championship of New Zen land, a great fight resulting. Lovcridgo is now under the care of Tim Tracy, of Wellington, and a LovcridgeHay or Loveridge-Trowern contest would be worth the while of the Otago Boxing Association considering. Another welter who has applied to the 0.8. A. for a match is Dave Palmer, of Sydney, of whom Wellington boxing critics speak highly. Ho has a good record, and is said to bo a really attractive boxer. Palmer has kayoed such well-known performers as Pat Gleeson, Billy Samuels, Billy Taylor (ex-light-weight champion of Western Australia), and he fought a draw with Gordon Kiely, who boxed so well against Hoffmcur, tho best of tho visiting Frenchmen. It is hard to understand why Palmer has not been matched with Hay, Trowern, or Loveridge. Should he bo given a contest and prove up to his record, then it looks as if there will be a similar boom in the welter division to that experienced in the light-weight class a couple of years bach, when Murray was the unconquered head of the light brigade. Appearances are sometimes deceptive, and they, certainly were in the case of W. M’ilcvcy, tho winner of tho ban-tam-weight final at the Otago University tiy-ont tournament. Ot somewhat frail build, he. packs a more than useful punch, and with a little more experience he should take some boating. He is a bit slow on his feet as yet, but this is a fault that can be eradicated by his mentor (Tom Harris, who is responsible for the training and coaching of most of tho 'Varsity boys). M'Alevey met 11. Wilkii.son in the final, and. though the., pair were fairly well .matched as. regards size and weight,

M'Alevcy was easily the better boxer of the pair, and after a tame first round he adopted aggressive tactics, his principal scoring asset being a straight left and right swing, while lie employed an occasional rignt hook. Wilkinson blocked fairly well, but ho was not up to his opponents’ mark. E. Batchelor threw away his chance of representing tho Otago University in the New Zealand _ University boxing championships, for m tho welter-weight semi-final against G. Thompson he had piled up a big lead in points during the first and second rounds, scoring repeatedly with a solid left and a useful right. Thompson connected on onlv a few occasions, and Batchelor was always quick to retaliate. Towards the close (ff the second round Batchelor drove Thompson out with a hard left, which he followed by a right hook to the jaw. Thompson was in a bad way in the corner, and Batchelor landed lefts and rights to the head from all directions. He got into a hold, and was ordered tr. break by the referee (Mr F. J. •Campbell), but he persisted in his 1 tactics. and was disqualified, thereby losing what, on the performances of tho other contestants, appeared to be a more than reasonable chance of gaining his blue.

The final in. the welter division lay between E. K. M'Lean and G Thompson, but there wms onlv one man in it, and that man wasn’t Thompson. Thompson was aggressive at the start, but M'Lean was not loth to respond, and he gave his opponent a torrid time of it for tho remainder of the round, scoring well with heavy punches with both hands at long and close range. He connected repeatedly in the next round with a straight left and hard right swing, and had Thompson out on his feet, the referee stopping the bout. One of tho most likely men in the welter division was Kennedy, who defeated B. Colvin in one of the preliminaries, bus ivas unable to appear in the semi-finals. “Hooker” liked the look of Colvin, who took part in a no-deci-sion bout with M'Lean in place of Kennedy on Die night of the finals. Had he boxed as well against Kennedy and got to close .quarters instead of standing off. Colvin would iiaA r e been hard to dispose of in the Avelter final. He is an aggressii’e type of boxer, and is not afraid to mix it, being able to vise both hands, though his best asset is a poAverful straight left. A nice, upstanding type of boxer in W. S. Allen sailed. through the xniddleAveight division Avith his colors flying. He gar r e N. Porterfield a severe trouncing in the final, and, though the youth Avas as game as a pebble, the referee should have stopped the fight before it reached tho fourth round. Allen has a nice stance, and he Avas coolness personified in both of his bouts. He connected with lefts and rights to the face, piling up ®the points ■ with every successive round. He also got home with seA'eral short rights to the body, his display generally being a pleasing one. His appearance at Auckland will be watched wdth considerable interest, and the writer expects him to make a bold- bid for middleweight honors. D. F. Lindsay was heavier than J. S. Batchelor in the heavy-Aveight final, but Batchelor Avas much the better boxer, and merely stood off and hit his opponent Avhen and .where he Avilled. Lindsay dropped his guard repeatedly, and Batchelor rammed home straight lefts and rights, mixed with an occasional well-timed SAving. Ho timed his bloAvs nicely, and Avhen Lindsay endeaArored to retaliate his opponent was just out of reach, to come again Avith a hail of blows to the head and body. The fight Avas stopped in the third round. Batchelor will meet some tonga opposition at Auckland, but he will proA'e hard to dispose of, the chances of Foley, Ferguson, Allen, and Batchelor appearing to bo brightest of the ’Varsity contingent. D. N. Ferguson, the present New Zealand University fcather-Avcight champion, avos not called upon at the ’Varsity try-outs, though Sligo has issued a challenge for the right of representing the ’Varsity in this division. Ferguson Avill probably be the representative at Auckland, and he Avill be hard to dispossess of his present title. Jack Humphries has been Avorking out at Tom Harris’s gymnasium during the present week, and has been sparring Avith Frank Hood and Harris himself. Humphries comes Avith a good report from Fritz Holland, avlio considers him one of tho best featherweights in tho dominion, As a tenround preliminary to a professional fight, a contest between Hector Deckle and Jack Humphries Avould be Avorth considering. The local schools are koav getting well under AA'ay, and in addition to some forty members in his ’Varsity class, Tom Harris has some dozen or so local amateurs under his Aving. Tom Harris is avoI! knoAvn to local fans, as he trained Los. Murray for five years, and had a ghod ring record himself, and during Murray's absence in America he is carrying on the latter's school in Princes street.

Mr 11. DVers has been reappointed secretary of the Otago Boxing Association, a position he has held with marked success during the past seven years. Local fans have had little to complain of in the Avay of “ pro.” fights during the time that he has been secretary of the association, and under his guidance there seems every reason to predict that the deficit incurred last season will be Aviped off before the present season has long been in progress. Dave Esplin (Avelter) and A. Mitchell (light-weight) arc a couple of promising youngsters A\dio are not afraid to mix it, though both, of course, are still a little raw. Jim Harris, a cousin of the mentor, is a light-weight Avho is coming along very nicely. He should do AA'eil in the novice class this season.

A good purpose is served by the Dunedin Amateur Sports Club, which during tho season stages no-decision bouts in Avhicli boys from the various local schools take part, these bouts being arranged every month. The first night of the present season will be on April 23. The secretary of the club is Mr T. A. BroAvn, avlio Avas responsible for the staging of some splendid nights’ boxing last season. Hector Leckie is Avorking under Alf. Goodman just hoav, and is, in good trim for a contest. Ho is prepared to step into the ring at short notice to meet anyone in New Zealand up to 9st 61b. The New York State Boxing Commission has a stern method of dealing with boxers avlio come ovenveight by imposing a heavy forfeit. Thus Charlie (“Phil ”) Rosenberg, avlio was 41b OA-er the bantara-Aveight limit when he weighed for his contest with Bushy Graham in Ncav York recently, had his weight forfeit of £SOO estreated, an I was° also declared to have forfeited his bantam-weight title. “The more I see of Johnny Hill, the more certain I am that he is a flyweight of high degree,” writes the Christchurch ‘ Star’s ’ London correspondent, Eugene Corr. under _ date February 3. “ Undoubtedly be is the most promising of all the little men who have been seen out for years. He

has lived up to the great showing he made when he took the amateur flyweight title from Warwick. So far he has not been beaten since he turned professional, and, Avhat is more, ho improves as ho goes on. His latest conquest was at the beginning of the week against a young Frenchman named Denain, avlio, I understand, is in the same stable as that remarkable little felloAV, Morracliini. Denain did enough to convince me that ho is above the average, bur, though ho Avas chockful of courage and splendidly fit, he. had no chance against Hill, and very wisely his seconds threAV up tho sponge in the sixth round. Hill made a profound impression upon the members of the club, and not one of my friends avlio soav him have the least doubt that ho will be a champion in the near future. I am almost certain that there is not one of his poundage avlio can hit harder than Hill, nor yet hit Avith such a rare appreciation of the value of distance. Keep an ovo on this hov from U'itn. ’ Tom Harris has eighty-five boys in his class at Waitaki Boys’ High School, and ho told the AA r ritor that ho was much impressed by a welter named Nixon, avlio has a good knoAvlodgo of the game, using both hands freely and packing a punch. He should do Avell in open company.. A middle-weight who is looking for stoush is Bob Fitzsimmons, of Wellington, who Avas recently defeated by Jack Heeney at Wairoa after a good contest. Fitzsimmons is reported to be tho makings of a good man, but lias had onlv trvo fights to date. He knocked out Lewis and lost to Heeney in the thirteenth round, tho referee stopping the fight. Fitzsimmons had never previously gone more than four rounds, so with better condition ho should do bettor in his next essay.

Paoline, tho Spanish heavy-weight champion, avlio reckons he is good enough to meet Tunney, recently engaged in a contest at Havana. Cuba. During tho progress of tho bout one Pepe Conte, a spectator, audibly expressed his opinion of Pnolino, avlio hopped over the ropes to sock liis critic. Pepe produced a gun from under his coat tails, and Paoiino hopped nimbly back again Commenting on the incident, an American Avritcr says: “If Fd been there I could haA'e told PaoHno that ho Avas making a had match. Ktibaa' Pepe years ago. When Pepe was fourteen ho Avas a mounted insnr gout fighting under Gomez, and in those days Pepe thought no more of potting a Avell-armed Spanish soldier than of cutting a stalk of sugar cane to clieAv on. The ‘ Tiger of the Pyrenees ’ would have been pio for Pepe.” Paoiino, by Dio Avay, meets Tom Heencv in Ncav York on March 23. Tho Match Committee of the Otago Boxing Association was selected after the annual meeting last Aveek, and those avlio Avill constitute this important subcommittee of .the 0.8. A. are all men with considerable experience -in the management of the game. The committee comprises Messrs J. Kilmnrtin, H. Bowie, and Don, Paterson.

Acting upon tho advice of the Chief Secretary, Mr C. Lazznrini. Stadiums, Ltd., has decided to abolish tivcntyround contests at all arenas under its management. From March 20 the new arrangement will come into operation, and the matches on that date in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane Avill be restricted to fifteen rounds (says an exchange). This will bring Australian boxing into line with America, Avhere the limitation of rounds has long been in operation. In the last heaA r y-Aveight championship of the Avorld, Avhen Eugene Tunny Avon tho title from Jade Dempsey, the. contest was of ten rounds. Championships in Great Britain are still deckled over twenty rounds. When the question of a boxing commission Avas discussed in Sydney, there Avas a suggestion that the number of _ roui ds should ho reduced, and tho Leichhardt Stadium management decided ’.ast month when staging the bantam championship to make tho contest fifteen rounds.