RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 19763, 13 January 1928, Page 12

RINGSIDE TOPICS

BOXING NEAR AND FAB [By Hookeh.] FIXTURES. January 13.—Tom Heeney v. Jack Sharkey (heavy-weight contest), at New York. January 24.—Frank Taylor (Auckland) v. Tommy Griffiths (Dunedin), feather-weight contest, at Wellington. GRIFFITHS’S NEXT CONTEST. Billy M'Allister, the Australian ban-tam-weight champion, will not come to New Zealand yet awnile, and the contest at Wellington on January 24 will be provided by Tommy Griffiths, of Dunedin, and Frank Taylor, of Auckland. A purse of £l5O will be at issue for the third meeting of the pair. Griffiths won the first contest, the second being a draw, though a keen follower of boxing who saw the latest mill told the writer that he thought Griffiths had won. The third encounter should create great interest and be productive of a ding-dong clash. OLYMPIC CANDIDATES. When Tommy Griffiths goes to Wellington to meet Frank Taylor on January 24 he will probably take part in a trial for the purpose of proving the worth of the New Zealand amateur bantam-weight champion, J. O’Sullivan, who is a candidate for inclusion in the New Zealand Olympic team. The powers that be desire that he be further tried out, and, as he has a stylo not unlike that of Griffiths, an interesting set to should be witnessed when the try-out takes place. The other Olympic candidates are E. Morgan, the New Zealand amateur light-weight champion, and A. J. Cleverly, the New Zealand amateur light-heavy-weight champion, and, funds being available, both are almost assured of selection. Morgan possesses a deadly left, but he is a southpaw, Cleverly being the more attractive boxer, while the latter also knows how to punch. Both are Wellington representatives. O’Sullivan hails from Auckland. SENSATIONAL CONTEST. In a sensational ten-round contest, which almost ended in a simultaneous knock-out in the ninth round, Benny Bass, of Philadelphia, battered his way to victory over Red Chapman in a bout in Philadelphia, a few weeks ago. Tho fieffit carried with it recognition by the Philadelphia State Athletic Commission as being for tho feather-weight championship of the world. The decision of the judges was unanimous, but ringside observers gave Bass only five rounds, with four in tho early part of tho match going to Chapman and one being even. In the terrific ninth round both fighters rushed from their corners furiously and both let fly with tremendous left\ hooks, which landed simultaneously. Both reeled back and tumbled to the mat, but both managed to restart by tho time the count had reached eight. Neither of the men had any strength left at the finish, and they spent the tenth and final round clinching so as not to bo pushed over. There were 30,000 people present.

ENCOURAGING HOME PRODUCTS.

Otago, Wellington, and Napier have been as active as any of the proinoting bodies during tb© past few months, and the contests that have been staged have been confined chiefly to the feather-weight division. The smaller associations have been heard to complain of the difficulty in securing contesants for professional bouts, but what are they doing to solve the difficulty. At the present time there are several Now Zealand lads with professional licenses who are clamoring for a chance to prove their ability in the moneyed ranks, but so far their cries have gone unheeded Among them may be mentioned Clarrie Pocock. the ex-New Zealand amateur middle-weight champion, who defeated Dick Loveridge (the ex-professional welter-weight champion) at Oamaru in his first contest; Steve Hughes, the Otago amateur welterdeiglit champion; and F. Smitheram, the promising Oamaru welter. In other divisions there are several claimants for contests, and if some of the asosciations were to make a move towards encouraging New Zealand talent, then something would be done towards the restoration of boxing to the popularity it deserves. These men can be obtained at small expense, and are particularly suited to the resources of the smaller associations, which have their opportunity if they will only seize it. Hughes and Pocock would make a good mated. So, too, would Hughes and Smitheram. JOHNNY LECKIE’S DOINGS. Nothing definite has yet been decided concerning Johnny Leckie’s next professional contest, but it is quite on tne cards that the Wellington Boxing Association may match him with the winner of the Griffiths-Taylor contest, if the Otago Boxing Association were able to bring Taylor to Dunedin a meeting between the Aucklander and the New Zealand feather-weight champion would prove a good draw ? but the local body will need to step lively if it desires to secure this contest. Johnny Decide has materially assisted the 0.8.A.’s finances in the past year, and the only way to maintain interest in the fistic game is by the frequent promotion of particularly now that the local association is in a sound financial position. Taylor has a decision over Leckie. as an amateur, hut “Fighting Johnny ” has yet to be vanquished in professional ranks, having won all seven of his contests. It is but a month or so since Johnny Leckie received an offer from Australia guaranteeing him three contests, with all expenses paid, in addition to those of a trainer, but Archie Leckie, the champion’s trainer, told “Hooker” a few days ago that Johnny had not yet altered his decision that he would not visit Australia for some months. While he is able to get contests in New Zealand Johnny Leckie has no desire to go abroad, but if opponents are not available in New Zealand then he will hie himself across to the other side. He is having a week’s spell, but will then got into harness again. It has been suggested that in view of the number of promising featherweights in action in Australia at the present time the Otago Boxing Association, which can justly claim to be ,as active as any promoting body in the dominion, should make a special effort to import one or two good boys for a couple of 1 contests each. The writer is inclined to think the 0.8. A. would be well repaid if its efforts in this direction were successful.

HERB AND THERE. Once he gets properly under way Tom Harris, whose school re-opened this week, should be able to muster up some good-sized classes, Harris has produced several good boys during the past year or two, and, apart from his own private classes, he is instructor to the Waitaki Boys’ High School and the Otago University Boxing Club. Ho has a wellfitted gymnasium, and, as he has been through the mill himself, ho is ably suited to teach the young idea how to box. Tom Harris has brought some good lads out at Waitaki Boys High School, and in this connection it is pleasing to note that secondary school authorities throughout Otago are becoming increasingly cognisant ot the fact that boxing is an important part of a boy’s education, teaching him manliness and habits of self-control. Perhaps the time is not far distant when an Otago secondary schools’ boxing championship tournament may he staged. It is worth keeping in view. _ Knute Hansen, who defeated Phil Scott in his first fight, in the States, is a Dane, and lias had a romantic career in the ring. Porn in Copenhagen about twenty-four years ago, ho grew into a hefty lad, and took up boxing as Ins favorite sport. After he emigrated from his native land he won a few minor contests in the States, and then with big Jim Tracey—who, until lately, has been residing in Auckland—took a trip to tho Argentine, where Tracey boxed Firpo. The wanderlust got hold of tho big Dane after this, and he made a trip to China, where he enriched his record at the expense of a few sailonnen who were stationed there. Hansen then made n “earn your money ns you go” tour of Europe, and boxed with a fair measure of success, after which he returned to the States. “Charlie” Purdy shelved his ability to administer severe punishment when he knocked out the recently-arrived Filipino, Little Cowboy, at Sydney Stadium, last Friday night. Purdy was effective in straight work to the lace with both hands, the damage finally being wrought by a right cross to the jaw. Cowboy is a feather-weight of good reputation, though just before he came to Sydney Gavino Do Leon defeated him. Purdy outboxed and outfought the Filipino throughout, the cables state, so it appears as if the New Zealander is in fine form just now and in line for further good matches. Jimmv Warren .must have glued himself to the title of feather-weight champion of Queensland after his defeat of Snowy Hill, for, although Billy Unwin beat 'him pointle&sly in the championship bout over the week-end, the referee awarded the decision to the holder (says an Australian scribe). It was one of the worst decisions that has been given at the Brisbane Stadium._ With the announcement of the decision, a storm of hooting broke out, and, differing from the usual style of departure in which the crowd generally hurries away, they on this occasion gathered in email groups and discussed the amazing action of the referee.

Billy M'Allister, the Australian ban-tam-weight champion, who was to have fought in Wellington on January 24, is due to meet Kid Pepe, the Filipino boxer, at Sydney on January 20. M'Allister is right'in the spotlight just now, and is regarded as being one of the best small men seen in Australia for years.

Paul Demsky, who fought in New Zealand some time back, and then went to tlio States, did nob signalise Ins return to Australia auspiciously, as lie was “ kayoed ” by “Wally” Hancock, However, Domsky is on the way towards re-establishing himself, for in a Wednesday night contest at Sydney Stadium Demsky ousted Bill Torrens in seven rounds. A terrific right to the solar plexus in the sixth round did the damage, a heavy right to the chin finishing matters in tho next session. Reg Trowcrn (10.3) fought like a veritable tiger against Tommy Fairhall (9.8) at the Leichhardt Stadium recently. Still, Fairhall again proved his superiority over the tough New Zealander, as ho did at Rushcutter’s Bay on November 16, at almost every angle of boxing, and ran out a decisive winner on points (says the 1 Sporting Globe’). Trowern was a terror right off the bat, and rushed in aggressively throughout the first round. Fairhall kept with him, despite tho 91b weight handicap, and the South Coaster’s clever countering gave him the lead until frame fire arrived. Trowern tore in for tho fifth with a right to the chin that rocked Thomas to a ncarsleep. Quickly recovering, Fairhall fought as much as the other fellow until the twelfth _ round ended an exciting fight, and his cleaner work won him a decisive victory. New Zealand boxers are well in the boom in Australia, and Reg. Trowern has been tentatively matched with Al. Bourke at Leichhardt Stadium for Bourko’s Australian welter-weight title. Tom Hceney is reported to be receiving £4,000 as his share of the purse for his fight with Sharkey, which is scheduled for to-day. _ Jack Sharkey bounced into the limelight by walloping the venerable Harry Wills in what was tho commencement of the elimination series of the big tournament. Sharkey then stopped Maloney, and then the Boston Strong Boy was stopped by Dempsey, who was beaten_ by Tunney. Sharkey’s chance of again meeting Dempsey depends entirely on his heating Heeney. The Taranaki and Wanganui Associations are still unlikely to stage contests in tho near future. On the percentage basis any association should be able to pay expenses at least.

Tommy Griffiths has had a week’s lay off, but started training again on Monday. His sparring partners aro E. Rogers and N._ Tyler, the latter being a very promising feather-weight who should show to advantage in open amateur company next season. According to one good judge who witnessed the contests at Napier last week, Johnny Lectio fought well against Duke Maddox, and in the fifth round the latter was almost out, the gong saving him. Leckie was leading all the way, and won practically every round. Johnny’s chief scoring assets were a straight left and a right rip to the body. Only once did he connect with his dangerous right cross, this being in the fifth round. Immediately after being so decisively beaten in New York by Knute Hansen, the English champion, Phil Scott, received a cable asking him to return home forthwith. Scott sent an indignant reply as follows:—“I won’t come home. I’m staying right here.” American ‘writers gave Scott great credit for his gameness, one of them saying: “We’ll doff our hat to that Britisher. He may have a frail chin and celluloid ribs, but there isn’t a thing the matter with his courage. Phil Scott is a game ’un—a dead game ’un.” His second match was against Monte Munn, whom he defeated, and then he met the aggressive Risko, who scored a win in a terrific battle. ' Unless something has arisen to cause a further postponement, and nothing to such an effect has been announced, Tom Heeney will tackle Jack Sharkey

in Now York to-day. Writing of tlio match at the time of the postponement, caused by Sharkey smashing one of Jus hands, that well-known American writer, Grantland Rice, remarked as f o ]] ows lf Tom Heeney can slip by Jack Sharkey, there will be no doubt about his place in the schedule. For Sharkey is a beter fighter than he has received credit for, being in the v ake of the Dempsey fight, where his greatest fault was somewhat soggy headwork. There was nothing wrong with his headwork against Godfrey, Wills, or Maloney, hut when he dropped his hands against Dempsey to claim a foul he showed no great brilliance in the way of pugilistic intelligence. For all that Sharkey is young and strong and experienced, and he can box, and he can do his share of hitting. Anyone who says ho can’t hit might ask Dempsey about that first round, and Dempsey is no cream puff when it comes to taking it.” The defeat of Sharkey by Heeney would mean a fortune to the New Zealander. Archie Leckie’s school will re-opon next month, and the prospects are that several promising lads wul be in commission.