RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 15

RINGSIDE TOPICS

BOXING HEAR AMD FAR [By Hooker.] FISTIC FIXTURES. ! November 25. Hector Reekie v. Jimmy Carr, at Winton (under auspices of Bluff Boxing Association). November 23.—Jimmy Broadfoot v. Harry Casey (holder), at Invercargill, middle-weight title contest. November 29.—Military Tournament at Port Chalmers. . December 3.—Johnny Leckic (holder) v. Tommy Griffiths, at Dunedin, fea-ther-weight title bout. THE TITLE FIGHT. Interest in next week’s professional feather-weight title light is rapidly growing, and the writer expects the Drill Hall to be thronged when Johnny Leckio steps into the ring, to defend the title against his erstwhile stable coinpanion, Tommy Griffiths. Leckio has indulged in some solid road work during the past week in company .with his sparring partners, Tyler and R. Anderson, the Otago amateur middleweight champion. He has shaped well in training work-outs, and his recently injured shoulder appears to _ have mended well, as it has given him no trouble.

Griffiths is hitting harder at the present time than ever before in his career, and his sparring partners are able to testify to the truth of this statement. One of his partners is Stan Foley, the University light-weight champion, who is one of the best amateurs of Ids weight in Dunedin, and who at one time held the Southland bantam-weight title. Archie Leckie, who has had charge of both contestants practically since they entered thfi game, reckons that fans are going to see a wonderful contest, and there will be no let-ups from start to finish. Griffiths will weigh 8.10, and Leckie 8.12. . Dealing with the fight itself, it is safe to say that Leckie will carry the fight to his opponent with a straight left, followed by that deadly right of his. Griffiths should be wise to that punch, and has a good guard for it. Griffiths’s straight loft should check Leckio from coming in as quickly as has been the case in “Fighting Johnny’s” previous contests, for with it Tommy has checked men before, and in the close work Griffiths’s short punches arc just as solid as Leckie’s. It should be a great fight, and, though the writer likes Leckie’s chances, ho believes that Johnnv will have his hardest fight to date, and more surprising things than a victory for Griffiths have happened. —The Preliminaries.— Three good (preliminaries have been ' arranged for next week's professional contest, one of the best of which should bo the clash between H. S. Davis, Denny Borcham’s protege, and R. Anderson, the Otago amateur middleweight champion, who is one of the most improved boxers in Dunedin. At the Christian Brothers’ School, T. M'Carten, who was then under Les. Murray’s wing, showed rare promise, but he has not boon seen in the ring for a good deal since then. Ho wiir meet that willing steadier, Charlie Buckley,' in one of the preliminaries, and this should provide a first-rate exhibition. The other preliminary will be fought by A. W. Webber and Tyler. BEAU BRUMMEL OF RING. Kid M'Coy, the former welter-weight champion of the world, and now a resident in San Quentin Prison, was at one time looked upon as the Beau Brummel of the ring. M'Coy was very proud of his handsome features, and took great pains to protect his face while in the ring. Ho adopted a, stance which kept his head out of danger, but forgot that when lie leaned back ho was an open target for the other fellow’s body blows. One chap who took immediate advantage of this pose of M'Coy’s was Jack Root, a fairly good fighter of that period. They met on April 22, 1903, at the Metropolitan Athletic Club in Detroit, and Selby—we mean M'Coy—took a severe lacing in every round but the first. The, fight was was a teu-rpunder, and M'Coy was floored more‘than a dozen times during the bout. So anxious was the Kid to retain bis good looks that ho left his body wide open, and in the second session Root thudded a right into his midsection which floored him. M'Coy immediately cried “Foul!” hut the referee, Bat. Masterson, ignored bis claim, and began to count. The excluunpion got to his feet again just as the round ended. From thou on Root battered, mauled, whammed, and .walloped M'Coy from pillar to post, keeping a.steady tattoo going on the Kid’s ribs, which kept him rising and fulling. Repeatedly M'Coy raised the cry 'of “Foul!” but the referee took uo notice, and Root won the decision. LIMITATION OF PURSES. There is no doubt that at the present time, apart from one or two spasmodic bursts of activity ou the part of a few of the associations, the boxing game in New Zealand is dead, and when asked by the writer to what iio attributed this state of affairs, Ike Kutncr, the well-known and muehtravdlled manager-trainer, stated that ho put it down to tho poor purses that were given at tho present time. Even the Now Zealand boys who show promise prefer to cross tho Tasman to get the better money that is offering in Australia, and also to gain experience, and until something is done in regard to increasing the maximum amount that is payable to a professional boxer the present state of affairs will continue. It is to bo hoped that at the next annual conference of boxing associations this matter will be taken up, for there is no doubt that first-class oversea boxers will not bo attracted to New Zealand by tho purses offering at present. The present limitation of purses is supposed to be for tho benefit of small associations, but tho writer cannot see how the minor associations have benefited. If the smaller associations were unable to pay large purses, in few cases would it be found that boxers were unwilling to assist them to the best of their ability. At the last Now Zealand conference at Invercargill, it may bo remembered that Mr W. G. Talbot, secretary of the Wellington Boxing Association, said that no New Zealand boy was worth £IOO, but shortly afterwards hi,s own association was prepared to offer a purse of £l5O 'for a contest with Johnny Leckie as one of the principals. Ike Kutncr is of tlic opinion that Johnny Leckie is worth at least £2OO to any association in New Zealand, because be would always be a good draw and would pack any hall in New Zealand.

It is bad policy on the part of officials to decry their own products, Ike considers, because it has frequently been .proved that the New Zealander can hold his own against the imported boxer. During his trip to America one thing that struck Ike very forcibly was that writers there were always boosting their boxers. In fact, it was often 80 per cent, boost and 20 per cent, ability. How different it is in Australia and New Zealand, vhere too often the local product'is decried. With the _ present limitation of purses, then, it may" be said that the best of New Zealand’s boxers will not long remain in the- country, and it behoves the powers that be to immediately set about altering a position of affairs that is far from satisfactory.

LACHIE MACDOnIID DEFEATED. 1 At* tho Leichardt Stadium recently a fair house was in attendance to witness the Gordon KielyLachio Macdonald contest, despite the fact that “Tiger” Payne arid Charlie Chetwynd were contesting the main event at tho Sydney Stadium (says “Centaur," in tho ‘Referee’). Iviely, although not tuned up to Ids best, won comfortably on points against the everaggressive Now Zoalander._ Macdonald, after his excellent showing against Billy Harms and Johnny. Cline, was expected to shine, but ho met his match in the Victorian boxer, Gordon Ivioiy, who had been spelling for quite a while. Kiely weighed 11.21, arxl was seconded by Ernie , Casey and Bill M'Grath, whilst' Macdonald tipped the boim at 11.4, and had the services cf Rat Connors and Charlie Purdy. From tho start Macdonald forced, and sent home rights and lefts to the body, but, after the first round, a good straight loft repulsed the New Zealand boy’s efforts. At times iviely landed a right uppercut in close that sorely stung the lad from tho land of the silver fern. - Macdonald endeavored to win by a krock-out, but Kicly’s left, which shot out with the precision of a piston rod, always found its mark; Ho gained a popular points decision. TOM KEENEY’S TRIUMPH. While Dempsey and Sharkey have claimed tho attention of the critics and fans for tho last six months, another challenger has arisen in the person of Tom Heeney, of Now Zealand, who seems destined to arrive somewhere in the heavy-weight elimination matches (says an American writer in the ‘Sporting Globe’). Heeney scored Ins greatest triumph hero last briday night, September 30, by knocking Jim Maloney, of Boston, cold in the first round. Maloney is the famous Turk from Boston, who managed to reach the finals of tho last elimination tourney, only to be knocked off by Jack Sharkey—the same Sharkey who was beaten by Dempsey. Heeney, who is a pretty fair boxer, with a good punch, has been uniformly successful in all his matches to date. He just out-guessed Maloney, and stopped him after one minute and 1/ seconds of boxing. As a consequence of his win ho has been matched witn Jack Sharkey at the Garden on November 18. The bout is to go 1 rounds, and if Heeney can beat the Boston Bob, he will be sitting on top of the world, so to speak, ready lor a match with Dempsey lor the right to box Tunney again. The international flavor has been absent from our heavy-weight contests for some time, Henry Persson. of Sweden, appeared destined to get somewhere for a time, but lie was never the “ threat ” that Georges Carpentier was. Heeney comes here with a good fistic foundation, and, being a clover boxer, is likely to cause trouble lor Sharkey. If Heeney can. get by Sharkey a match between the New Zealand ace and Dempsey would be natural, and would bo good for a heavy gate—something Rickard is angling for all the time.

Jack Dempsey, who hel<l down a ringsido seat during the encounter, was amazed at tho class tho Anzac lad disclosed. Hecney appears to have hit it off well with the American ring lans, and appears to bo quite popular. Possibly this is duo to the fact that lie suffered somewhat in tho decisions which wero rendered against him in his two contests with Paulino, the Basque woodchoppcr. In tho first match Paulino was given the palm. In tho second tho Basque was awarded a draw. In both matches the critics and lans favored Heeucy, holding he had won handily. PEG. THORNTON’S AUSTRALIAN BUDGET. ; I have received an interesting budget of Australian news from tho popular actor-sportsman," Reg. Thornton, who is now running his own vaudevillojshow at Bondi beach. Reg. is a first-rate and original comedian, and one of the ‘•friends of the profession.” He is a rare sporting enthusiast, and writes interestingly of boxing in Sydney as follows: ‘ 1 In the boxing world your representatives in the personage of Lachie McDonald, Reg. Trowern, and Charlie Purely have have ably acquitted themselves. I saw Trowern lose a close decision against Tommy Eairhall at the Stadium last night. Reg. is tough, full of fight, a little slower- than when I saw him in New Zealand, but his general all-round boxing lacks variety. However he is popular with the ‘fans, so that’s the main thing. “ Lachie M'Douald is immensely popular over this way. lie gave two Americans in Billy Harris and Johnny Clines a severe lacing at headquarters, only to bo badly outpointed by Melbourne Gordon Kiely at Leicliardt Stadium. Kiely would please New Zealand fans. He is a lino boxer, with a great left hand. "“Charlie Purdy’s ear is O.K. again. I was talking to him at the Stadium last night. He looks well and is tho best dressed boxer in ‘ Aussie.’ I’hi incolored suit, plum-colored hat-to match, the Auckland boy is 1 the sheik ’ of ‘ Fistiauia.’ “ Everyone Ifas heard glowing reports of Johnny Leckic, and ho should certainly come this way right now, as the tin hares are to bo cut out at night time and boxing is once more holding forth, despite the wrestling boom.” HERE AND THERE. Feminine prize light lans in England arc showing a preference for flyweights and bantams, and on this account the little fellows are in great demand. Fight promoters have learned that action without too many bruises is more desired than science by women spectators. Consequently the promoters have hit on the scheme of providing snappy lighter weight _ bouts to stimulate interest in boxing among the wives, sistersj and sweethearts of their regular patrons. ft is to be hoped that Lcckio’s injury will not permanently handicap him in the ring, for a more promising youngster has not been .unearthed in New Zealand for many years. Some might contradict this and refer to Purdy, but I have followed the latter’s career from the time he was working in a biscuit factory, and, while _ there has been no one to, comparc*with him in elusivenss, ho never packed a punch like Leckie has in his right fist (says the writer in the ‘ New Zealand Referee’). Every boxer that hails from New Zealand seems to be regarded by American promoters as fair game for boosting purposes. Recently Nelson M'Knight was hailed as the welterweight champion of New Zealand, a title field by Artie Hay. Les. Hurra 3-, then New Zealand light-weight champion, told the writer a good one during the week. Just before his contest with Solly Seaman, which, by the way, the Now Zealander won, he was sitting at tho ringside, when ho was surprised to hear one <jf the boxers being announced as “ the light-weight champion of New Zealand and all Australia.” The boxer was Bert Brown, of Palmerston North, but it is not likely he was consulted in regard to the appellation. Tommy Burns, one-time head of the heavy-weight division, who has been in business in England the past few years, .is going back to America shortly. It is announced, as a manager of _ a heavy-weight fighter, whom he thinks will some day lie a champion’. : Burns's protege is Jack Hunibeek, a Belgian lad. His most outstanding victory, according to the former champion, is over Paulino Uzeii■dun, the Spanish woodchopper, scored two .years ago, in Spain. Humbeck weights 185 pounds in condition, and stands 6ft. He is big enough. Tommy has been 'Schooling him lor two years, and says lie’s now ready to take 011 any of them. Ike Kutner told the writer that ■ recently. he had a letter from Tommy

Barber, the Australian feather-weight champion, who has been approached to visit New Zealand, that ho is nob likely to mako the trip for some time yc-t. Barber is in tho hands of Pat O’Connor, who is in the Defence Department, and at the earliest it is not likely he would be hero before April next. Dode Borcot, who accounted ter Nelson M‘Knight a few seconds before.the end of a six-round contest —tho latter’s first in America—is _ one of the best second-rate welter-weights in tlio country, and M'Knight’s defeat at the bands of so experienced a boxer is hardly to bo wondered at. M'Knight should profit greatly from his experiences on the other side. Though Lcs. Murray has given up active participation in the sport, i-lie ex-Ncw Zealand light-weight champion is still retaining an interest, in his old school, which will he presided over by Tommy Harris. Murray himself intends doing sufficient boxing to keep himself in trim.

Charlie Chetwynd, tlio Englisly mid-heavy-weight, is added to the list of men. knocked out by “Tiger” Payne (says the Sydney ‘Referee’). The young negro had tripped to Melbourne to fight, and, incidentally, see the Cup. He did not hurry back, and many thought ho would not appear in time. But by tho Melbourne express on Friday Payno returned. He entered the ring that night with tire usual confidence,, and jigging in the corner. Chetwynd, boring in close all the time, and evading most of the whizzing swings aimed at his head, kept the “Tiger” moving. But if Payne’s condition was not immaculate, his confidence was great, and his punch, when it did laud, destructive. Its weight determined the light, in which the Englishman, tho better-conditioned, fought well for ten rounds, with pluck, but without any particular venom in his punching. Hector Leckio travelled south yesterday to meet Jimmy Carr at Warton to-night. Alf. Goodman, who has charge of Leckio, was unable to make the trip, and Wally Fewster. a wellknown southern ring man. will bo in Reekie’s corner for tho light. The Boys’ High School championships last week produced some good contests and some promising material was unearthed. One of the best boys in action was the school champion, W. W. Abel, who is a strongly-built lad with a very solid straight left. He connected frequently to the face 'and head against M‘AHuni. but, as is so often tho case in school contests, he almost wholly neglected tho_ body and a-.d not score very heavily in the close stub, M'Allum shows promise, but has jet to realise the effectiveness of good straight work. The winner of the 9 5 class, C, W. Syddall, is another good boy, as also are J. M. Garden and K. R. Woods, winner and runner-up respectively ip 1 the lOst class. Billy M'Alister, .Australia’s bantam champion, who has been invited to visit New Zealand, made his first fight in tho feather-weight ranks a successful one, when he met Mike Flynn oyer 12 rounds at tho Leichhardt Stadium a fortnight ago. Brilliant Billy was forced to fight harder than ho has ever yet done at Pat M'Hugh’s place to outpoint tho aggressive Insh-Australiaii,_ and Flynn was coming stronger than’ ever in tho final round, but the bantam title holder’s early superiority gained him a lead that tho featherweight could not overcome, so M'Allister was awarded a popular decision on points. Iko Kutner, who was last in Dunedin as manager of Darby O’Connor, tho Australian boxer, who made such a good showing against Johnny Decide, and who was here . (previously with Eugene Volairc, called on the writer during the week. He is holiday-mak-ing in Dunedin meantime, but expects to go across to Australia early in the new year with the object of bringing one or two stouclx artists across to New Zealand, ~