AMATEUR BOXING

Evening Star, Issue 19638, 18 August 1927, Page 11

AMATEUR BOXING

INVERCARGILL, August 17. ,'| The Now Zealand amateur boxing championships opened in the Municipal Theatre to-night, when the preliminary contests were staged in the presence of a large.gathering of spectators. The fixture is being staged under the auspices of the Southland Boxing Association, and present indications point to the 1927 championships being among the most successful yet held. The entries total sixty-two, hut though this number is less than last year's entries more actual competitors are taking part than was the case in 192(1. Thirteen associations arc represented by teams ol varying sizes, these being Wellington, Canterbury, Taranaki, Tauinarniini, Otago, Greymonth, Westport, Uavvko'a Bay, Auokland, Manawatu, North Gin go, Wanganui, Southland, and tho most southerly boxing body in the world, Bind Association. _ . • Numerically Auckland, Wellington, Taumanumi, Otago, Southland, and Grey mouth arc the most strongly represented, but there are n number of good boys outside these associations. ■Most of tho visiting boxers arrived over the week-end or on Monday or Tuesday. The Otago team, with the exception of Bobby Fulcher, who journeyed down on Tuesday night, in rived by car this afternoon, being accompanied by a .small crowd of enthusiasts, including Messrs E. 9. Campbell (president of the Otago Boxing Association), 11. Divers (serretar.v of the Otago body), S. Brown (manager of the team), A. Parker (trainer), and A. Barker, son., himself a well-known boxer in his day. Only throe, of last year's title-holders are competing, those being S. Pnrton (flyweight). J. Nelson (welter-weight.), and A- Glcverley (middle-weight). Pnrton and Nelson are both detending their titles, lint Cleverly has stepped into the light heavy-weight division. The standard generally to-night was fairly high, particularly in the light welter-weight classes. In all twenty contests wore decided, the last bout finishing at about 11 o’clock. Of tho Otago team live men competed, while the bantam-weight, \\. Parker, won his bout by default. Ihe results to date are very satislacfury from an Otago point of view, W. 9. Leckio, S. Hughes, and J. G. Leckio recording wins in tho leather, wcltei, and heavy-weight classes respectively. AH three boxed well, though Hughes probably gave the most impressive display. At present it looks as if the welter championship lies between him and V. daggers, tho brilliant Canterbury boy, who won his bout. Jim Leckie won a good bout against Tyree (Wellington), and W. G. Leckio outclassed the Hawke’s Bay featlicr-

weight, L. Knuckey. The greatest disappointment, however, was the deleat of R. Fulcher by tho Wellington sou th pa tv H. Morgan. Fulcher was badly shaken in tho first round, and did not really recover, , being unable to reproduce Ids best form, though he proved verv elusive. The Auckland light-weight, i. Slattery, proved a hard-hitting boxer, winning a close contest against 9. Bishard, of Taumarunui. Tho officials for the ■ championships have been well selected, the relerce being Mr Earl Stewart, the well-known Wellington official, who is also present for the purpose of looking out lor likely boxers "for inclusion in the _ New Zealand Olympic team. Tho judges are Messrs J. Kilimirlin (Otago), A. Smith (North Otago), A. Tall (Bluff), and. A. Craig (Auckland). Mr M- Ward, the well-known old-tirno boxer in Southland, is ringmaster, and Mr G. MTlicsney announcer, and Mr A. E. Dawson Press steward. The secretarial arrangements nro in the hands ol Mr J. Richardson, the well-known ex-Otago, Southland, mid New Zealand Rugby representative. Attendance was fairly large. Results:

FLY-WEIGHTS F. Pcarcy (Auckland) won l>y default. from S. .Jarvis (Southland), who was unable to make the weight. The New Zealand fly-weight champion, H. Pur ton (Greymouth, 7.54) ontboxed and outfought S. Gray (Wanganui, 7.9), though the latter fought gamely. Burton was aggressive from the start, hitting much more clearly than his opponent. The winner's chief .scoring assets were a straight left and a right cross, while, lie also blocked well. Gray timed badly, only scoring with a right swing. There were some willing exchanges, but P.urton proved too clever, and got the decision. N. Roebuck (Taranaki) won by default from K. Hutchinson (Hawke s Bar). , The first Otago representative to make his appearance was F. M. Bix. 7.10, his opponent being C. Hurno (Wellington,' 7.8), who held a big advantage in height and reach, which he used to advantage, victory going to the Wellington man. Hnrnc in the lirst round scored repeatedly with a straight left to the head. Bix did better in the second round, coining 1 hack from .Hume's lelt whli a short, i left to tho body and a right, to the head. Bix connected a good lelt to the jaw in the third round, but Hume diove him out with a long lelt, and .secured the only possible veidict, though Bix fought gamely against a superior and more experienced boxer. BANTAM-WEIGHTS P. Hawse (Westport), with a victory to his credit over the New Zealand flyi weigh.t champion, S. Purtou, beat L. Jarvis (Southland), 8.0, tho referee ' .stopping the bout in the second round. I Hawse was the stronger of the pair, | and though Jarvis iedwith a left in tiio • I first round, and connected with a right | cross, his timing was at limit, ami Hawse connected more heavily with a. 'straight left. Hawse was very agres--1 sivo in Hie second round, and with a. left, to the jaw put Jarvis down for seven. The Southland hoy rallied and landed a short loft to the body, but, a I right, to the head pul. him 'loan again, and 11 ic referee stopped the bout. o'. O'Sullivan (Auckland, 8,0) knocked out J. Evans (Manawatn. 5.2) in the second round, when the latter was leading on points. Evans used a. good left and smothered well in the lirat round, Ind I U'Sullivan penetrated several times with good straight blows with both hands. In the second round Evans connected with a lelt to the (ace and right, to the head, hut O’Sullivan came back willingly, and a right, clip to the car put Evans down for the count. W. Parker (Otago) won by default) from L. Kmickey (Hawke's Bay). O. Brosnalian (Christchurch) won by default from N. Roebuck (Taranaki). The deaf and dumb boxer, H. Larsen (Wellington, 7.0), secured Ihe verdict over I!. Hutchinson (Hawke’s Bay, S.O), after a clinking bout, both hoys .standing too to toe'and swapning punches for all they were worth. Larsen connected . more cleanly, which probably earned him the decision.

New Zealand Championships Otago Boys Do Well Fulcher Beaten [From Ocb Own Ku'OUTDu.] ,

i O’Sullivan (Auckland, S.O) was too clover for P. Hawes (Westport, 5.2), being a two-handed fighter who continually boat tho West Coaster to the punch, securing a comfortable verdict. FEATHER-WEIGHTS T. C. Donovan fTarxnaki, S. 10) made no race, of it against If, Ivielcy (Groymonth, S.ll), tho bout lasting only one round. Donovan, a dangerous customer, led from the start, and a fierce right to the body put Kioley down, lie scrambled up, hut a left to the face sent him to the hoards again for four, the referee stopping tho bout. After n willing mill, G. Adams (Wellington, S.ll) secured a close decision against E. Wright (Christchurch, 5.7). Adams boxed coolly, ducked smartly, and scored frequently with a good left. Wright missed several times, but connected occasionally witli a straight left and right swing. Adams had the advantage in height and reach, making the most of it, though Wright frequently bored in. W. G. Leckie (Otago, S.ll) proved too good for L. Kmickey (Hawke’s .Bay, 8.8), the verdict going to the Dunedin boy after a well-contested bout, in which some bard bitting was seen, particularly on the part ol Leckie. Knuckey put up a game display, but with the exception ol the second round Leckie did all the leading, Knuckey taking severe punishment in the tir.-a round. Leckio tore in hits and. rights to tho head, and Knuckey was driven to the ropes with telling Iclts, but the Napier lad made a good recovery, commencing the second round with several liard lefts to Iho jaw. Honors were ea.-y in willing exchanges. Leckie forced things m the last round, scoring with hard lefts to the head and a right cross to tho jaw. Knuckey rallied with a left, to the jaw, but it did not last, Leckio driving the Napier buy to iho ropes with good straight blows with bulli hands. .Kmuckey was down twice, and Leckie continued to lorce nmttcrs, Knuckey being in a. had way against, the ropes. 'Tho referee stopped the bout and awarded it to Leckie, who fought well, though he had a damaged right hand. U. Steele (Southland) a bye. LIGHT-WEIGHTS

A, Jones (Southland) won by default from L. W. Gee (Bay ot Plenty). T. Slattery (Auckland, 9.10), beat J. jiisliard (Tauinariiiuii, U.IU). alter a torrid contest, in which there was little between the pair. Slattery used a powerful kite and connected more cleaniy than his opponent, though the latter packed a punch with both hands, lie made Slattery miss several times in the early stages, but the Aucklander connected with a, left and right to the jaw. In tho second round Jjishard made a good recovery, penetrating several times with both hands The last round was hotly fought, Slatteiy’s lott doing a. good deal of damage. Slattery got a mi'Tow decision, both boys being applauded lor the good display. tire at interest centred in tho meeting of 17. Morgan (Wellington. 9.1 d) and 11. Fulcher (Otago, U.B), Morgan having previously secured a close verdict. On this occasion the Otago champion hardly boxed up to Ins usual lorni, .'■coining ro be disconcerted at Morgan’s style. Tho Wellington Southpaw, who held the advantage in height aaid reach, rattled (ho Otago champion in the iirst. round wiih (several deadly lelts to the head, and, thoygh Fulcher was elur-iivo several times, he. was badly shaken up. The round dosed with Fulcher landing a rigid swing In the head. Fulcher rushed in at. tho outset of tho second session, connecting with a left, to the jaw. Morgan retaliated vigorously with a left to the jaw and a right to idle chin, 1 hough. Fulcher made him miss several times. Fulcher endeavored to make up the leeway in the third round, in which lie placed wdihiniled blows with a left to the face twiec. .Morgan eame back with a right to the jaw. Fulcher scoring with a short riglu, to the body. A willing, exchange ended the closest round of the contests, the verdict going to Morgan. WELTER-WEIGHTS JO. Armisliaw (Auckland, 10.7) secured an easy verdict over U. M‘Tuvan (Southland, it).7), who after being down in the opening round fought placidly, but was outclassed, Armishaw landing with two-handed punches. An even go resulted between P. J. Stone (Wellington, 10.6) ad L. Adas (Southland, 10.5), the former scoring the decision, which met with a mixed reception. There were some willing rallies in this bunt, both men taking a good deal of punishment. Stone’.superiority in straight work earned him the decision. J). Richardson (North Otago. 10.6) heat B. O’Keefe (Manawatn, 10,8), Both men mixed it, and there was little in it till O'Keefe received a blow in tho pit of the stomach, and showed signs of distress. Tho referee made him sit down and counted him out. Later O'Keefe was examined by a doctor, but there was no sign of the blow being low. Hughes (Otago, 10,8) gave a line display of boxing in securing the verdict against the holder of the New Zealand title, J. Nelson (Greymonth, 10.8), the Otago representative’s- straight workbeing a treat to watch. The liivst round wa.s fought rather quietly, Hughes scoring with short arm blows j to the body, and Nelson with a short right. IJ.ughe.s got into his stride in the second round, making Nelson miss mil countering a hot rush with a loft to tho face and a right cross to the jaw. Ho maintained his advantage in the third_rpnnd, in which he scored heavilv with both, hands to the jaw. The pair got to elo,so quarters, Hughes having the bettor of things. The Otago hoy gave tlie holder of the title little respite, and liiiishod up with a straight left and right cross to the jaw, securing i s comfortable decision. One of the Lost, bouts of tho evening was that in which U. Jaggern (Christchurch, JO.I) beat J. Smith (Tainnarnmii, 10.0) after a closely-contested struggle, -luggers connected more j clearly of the pair, and "used a, tierce j left fo the jaw, and scoring well in close hodv work. 7'hore were some torrid rallies, and Smith several times was named tor hitting with the. open glove. Smith, who beat Fulcher lasi year in tho light-weight division, connected with a left to the head and a short right to the body, hut did not time us well as the Canterbury hoy, H'ho got the correct verdict. HEAVY-WEIGHTS P. M’Ciirthy (Auckland, 12.8) made short work- of S. Hogg (Greymonth, 12.10), scoring with both bands to tho bead and outing the Greymonth hoy in the first round, Though id a disadvantage as regards height, weight, and reach, A. Campbelf (North Otago,’l2.l) outclassed G.

Carlson (Wanganui, I'-’.12), carrying tlio tight 'to his opponent l l'om star.; to finisli, and scoring repeatedly with a left, followed occasionally by a right cross—, a n easy win for Canipbell. J. G. Lcckio (Otago, 12.11) asserted his superiority over the rather iancieu W. E. Tyreo (Wellington, taking honor’s in two rounds. Leckic s advantage in height and reach was too much for Tyree, the Dunedin heavyweight boxing cleverly to land frequently with hard lefts and a right cross io tlio jaw. Tyreo was n game trier, gel ting in close in the second round, but Lcckio drove him out. While on the back move. Tyreo brokethrough again, scoring with a, right, to the jaw and a Jett to the chin. Lcckie was the only man in it in the hist round, carrying the light to his opponent with lefts to the head and rights to tho body, Tyree stood up to heavy punishment, Lcckio giving, Otago the third actual win of the evening.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION .NEXT CHAMPIONSHIPS AT AUCKLAND The annual meeting ol the New .'-calami Boxing Association was held yesterday, Mr S. A. Strickland presiding. Delegates were present from _ Wellington, lllarlborough, Tanmarumii, Christchurch, Gisborne, Grcymouth, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu. Napier, North Otago, Otago and Bluff. It was decided that heloro a license could be issued a professional boxer must furnish the council with a certificate of competency issued by tlio association where tho applicant is resident. A Hawke’s flay remit advocating the limitation of the purse to LloO for profeosional bouts except in special circumstances and then only with the concurrent of tho New Zealand Association, was curried. The election of officers resulted as follows—President, Mr E. A. Craig (Auckland) ; council—Messrs P. E, MlE'f-dy, I). 1L Hogga rd, J. 11. Simpson, E. Blundell, E. A. Dawson, d. W. Jleenan, and Colonel It. St. J. Becrc. It was decided to hold tlio 1928 championships at Auckland.