RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 13

RINGSIDE TOPICS

BOXING NEAR AND FAR

[By Hookes.]

FIXTURES

February 20.—Matt. Hatton v. F. TavJor, at Auckland. February 25.—Dick Lovendgo v. Jim Broadfoot, at Wairoa. March I.—Tom Keeney v. Jack Delaney (ex-world’s jight-hcavy-weight champion), at New York.

LOOKING FOE CONTESTS. Boxing lans in Dunedin are asking when the Otago Boxing Association is going to stage its next professional contest, but as is the case with many other associations the 0.8. A, is experiencing difficulty in obtaining suitable men lor a match. Tho writer was speaking to tl)o chairman of the Match Committee (Mr Jack Kilmartin) during the week, and ho stated that the Otago Boxing Association had done all in its power to secure an opponent for Johnny Leckie, but had not met with success. Every available man in New Zealand has been approached," and Matt. Hatton, who would probably have provided a good mill, advised that he did not desire to conio so far south at the present time. Norman Gillespie,_ the Victorian feather-weight, was written to a month ago, but_ no reply has yet been received from him. Previously it was suggested in these columns that F. Taylor, of Auckland, might bo matched with Johnny Leckie, but this match docs not seem so desirable after the inglorious display in which Taylor was recently engaged with Tommy Griffiths, and Jack Kilmartin expressed the view that he did not chink the contest would meet with favor. He thought it would provide a poor bout, pointing out that Taylor is really only a bantam-weight, and Leckie is a top notch feather-weight. “The Dunedin public are _ good judges of a boxer’s worth.” said Mr Kilmartin, “and a poor contest would be worse than no contest at all.’’ He stressed the fact that professional contests were put on partly for educational purposes for the benefit of amateur boxers, who were largely catered fo.-_ by the Otago Boxing Association, which at the present time has a considerable amount of money in hand, some of which has been reserved to send a team to the New Zealand amateur championships at, Auckland daring the coming season. The association would be unwise to risk this money in a doubtful contest, though it is recognised that a, good boxer to meet Leckie would be worth £IOO to, the association.

That is how the position remains at present with the 0.8. A., desirous of staging a hig professional contest, but with no_ suitable opponent for Leckie in sight it is now waiting for something to turn up. OLYMPIC BOXERS.

The council of Hie Nov/ Zenlaml Boxing Association lias written to flic various associations asking for funds for the despatch of the boxing team to tiie. Olympic Games, the council itself having already donated £4OO towards the expenses. Another similar amount will bo minimi, and it has been suggested that the Otago Boxing Association might do its share by staging a tournament locally during the next month or so. In addition to the amateur conests “Steve” Hughes and F. Smith/;ram might ho matched overtoil rounds for a small purse, and thus a double purpose would be served. The matter is well worth considering by the association. The two boxers likely to bo despatched both belong to" Wellington— E. Morgan, amateur light-weight champion of New Zealand, and A. J, Cleverly, Now Zealand amateur light-heavy-weight champion. Just at this stage_ it_ would bo well for contributing associations to sec that Morgan, who is a southpaw, is entered in two classes, _ for the writer does not see lu '.v it. is going to bo possible for him to fight at the Olympic light-weight limit. Morgan is lOst nowi and the Olympic limit is loss Ilian that, while it must ho remembered that he is very likely to put on weight when he goes to Europe. Charlie Purdy had such a difficulty when he was sent to the Olympic Games as a feather-weight. He liad to fight as a light-weight, and at the Tailt earm Games in Ireland actually boxed as a welter, and won the welterweight championship. The general experience is that boxers put on weight overseas, and it seems only wise that Morgan should be entered in the welter class_ as well as in the light-weight division. FINDING JOHNNY LECH lE'S OPPONENT. Johnny Lcckic is still doing light work, but the trouble at the present time, is that difficulty is being experienced in finding an opponent for him. He has just about gone through all the available leather-weights, and now to secure a contest may have to go out ot Ins class, though light-weights in Now Zealand are even more scarce than the feather-weight division. There has been some talk locally that Les Murray might he persuaded out of his retirement to meet Johnny Leckic, though if such a contest took place Murray would have to make 9.9. It would be a wonderful draw, even with the difference in - weights of the two champions, and were the Otago Boxing Association enabled to stage such a contest no building in Dunedin would be large enough to stage the crowd that would be present. COMMENCING OPERATIONS. The majority of the local schools will be commencing operations duringthe next week or two, and last Mom day night Albert Parker opened his school, some ten boys attending, with promises of another ten by next week. “ Snowey ” Olsen, one time wellknown light-weight, is taking the game seriously this year, and will probably be a. contender for championship honors in the welter-weight division. Billy Webber, that keen fighter, is at it again, and with the experience he has picked up in the last year should do well. The evergreen Tommy Hunt has signified his intention of entering the ring again, and is a probable contender for the Otago light-weight title. CONTEST AT AUCKLAND. The well-known Auckland featherweight, Matt Hatton, has been matched against Taylor. Hatton has not been prominent in the. ring since taking up teaching and coaching boxing (says a northern scribe). Ho has, however, kept himself well up to standard, and only needs a bout nr two to show him at his old form. His fight against Purdy before the latter

left for the Olympic Games a few years ago will bo remembered by many. Hatton has received offers from Dunedin to meet Johnny Lockic, but he has declined acceptance. He is ready to accept any offers ho may receive from boxing centres nearer his home town. Hatton is to be married at Easter, and will have the good jvishes of all boxing enthusiasts.

ENCOURAGING THE SCHOOLBOYS.

With the annual meeting of the Otago Boxing Association set clown for next month a matter that might receive consideration is the question of inaugurating a secondary schools’ boxing championship fixture under the auspices of the Otago Boxing Association.

At the present, time ‘most of the schools in the Otago district stage their own championships, and there seems no reason why they should not bo brought together in the manner proposed. In England one of the big amateur boxing fixtures is the public schools’ tournament, and properly conducted. as it would be. a secondary school tournament locally would' ho productive of much good. Healthy rivalry between the schools is to be commended, and there is no more manly sport than boxing. WORLD’S CHAMPIONS. The fallowing is the latest list of world’s champions, all of America:— World’s heavy-weight.—Gene Tunncy. World’s light heavy-weight.—Tommy Loughran. World’s middle-weight.—Mickey Walker. World’s welter-weight.—Joe Dundee. World’s light-weight.—Sammy ManWorld’s junior light-weight.—Tod Morgan. World’s feather-weight.—hi dispute. World’s bantam-weight.—Bud Taylor. . , World’s liy-weight.—ln dispute; several claimants. , ’AUSTRALIAN MIDDLE-WEIGHT MUDDLE. It is really a pity for boxing that there is no commission controlling the game in this country (says an Australian writer). If we had a board ot boxing control there is no doubt that all fight followers would soon know who is middle-weight champion of Australia. Hugbie Dwyer won the title from Billy Edwards on a foul at the Brisbane Stadium last April 2, but Hugbie recently retired, and, according to precedent, the 11. G crown reverted to Edwards as the previous bolder. Now it is not known for certain, even manager Tom Maguire is unable to say definitely, whether Edwards will fight any more (Billy’s last 1 battle was with Brisco ABGale on April /O.G, 1927), and the middle-weight division has become a muddle indeed. When Dwyer retired, and Edwards again became champion, it was freely rumored that the Novocastrian could never make . 11.6 again, but his supporters say he is now lighter than before starting work for the Dwyer contest, and is in bettor form than at any time during his career. Edwards was recently married, and has been appointed to a permanent position on the electrical stall of the ■Broken Hill Proprietary Company’s steel works at Newcastle. He does not therefore like the idea of jeopardising bis job for the sake of coming back to tbo boxing game, 'fed Monson, Gordon Kiely, and Mcrv Williams all lay claim to the middle-weight title (Monsion has the best claim ot the three), but it is likely that Edwards will soon be given time off to prepare properly for a contest that will decide the championship one way or the other.

FISTIC FLASHES. Advice lias been received locally that Tommy Barber, feather-weight chamfiion of Australia, may visit New Zeaand about Easter lime, though from present indications it looks as it he would much rather meet Leckie in lAustralia. Ace Hudkins, Nebraska wildcat, recently signed for three bouts to be held in Madison Square Gardens, the third a tentative agreement whereby Hudkins will be pitted against the champion, Jooe Dundee, for the welterweight title (says an American exchange). In making the announcement, Matchmaker Jess Al‘Ala lion said Hudkins would have a pick of Clyde Hull, Farmer Joe Cooper, or Lew Tendler for his opponent on January 20. Hudkins will be given an engagement with Sergeant Sammy Baker early next month, and if he is successful the Nebraskan will make a bid lor the welter crown some time in March, provided Dundee is reinstated meantime, and the New York State Athletic Commission endorses the match. Paulino Uzcudun, Basque heavyweight, secured a seven-round technical knock-out of Pat Lester, Giant Texan, in a scheduled ten-round match before 6,000 fans in the Newark Armory (America) recently. Uzcudun scaled 2001 b, Lestei 23?1b. The Spaniard belted Lester around at will from the start, flooring him in the first round, and again in the seventh, when the Texan’s seconds threw a towel into the ring to save Lester further punishment. Lester was badly cut at the close, with blood streaming from cuts above his eyes, lips, and nose. The gong kept Pat off the canvas in each of the final four rounds.

Jack Doyle, Los Angeles boxing promote!, mentioned in a New York despatch recently as the likely promoter of a fight between Paulino Uzcudun and Gene Tunnoy during 1023, denied that he bad ever given such a proposition a thought. Doyle declared positively that he had no plans to promote a bout for Tunney. George Adams, who turned professional some months ago, but bad to forego his match at Napier owing to a, breakdown during training operations, has decided to give the game best, and will bo seen in the ring no more (says the ‘ New Zealand Referee’). Adams was one of the most promising amateurs in the district, and as a professional would have been an acquisition to the game. ‘‘A prophet hath no honor in his own country,” and neither, apparently, has a boxer, at any rate when his own country is England. Phil. Scott, the British heavy-weight, has become the butt of cartoonists and jest-mongers at Horae, but in America, where be went Sown to Johnny Risko, the “ Rubber Mtyi.” critics treat him much more kindly. They say he is a game battler, and credit him with making a good ■bowing in his last fight. The Napier Boxing Association is •eeking to bring Teddy Green, the flyweight champion of Australia, over to New Zealand. They have made him an offer of two matches with good purses. Local opinion is that he will be matched against Taylor and Griffiths (says an Auckland writer). Mr Eugene Donovan, Taylor’s trainer, says that he would have no difficulty as regards the weight, and that Taylor would accept a match with Green providing the purse was large enough. Harry Casey, who recently fought Broadfoot, is conducting gymnasium and physical culture classes in Christchurch. Jim Musson, the proprietor of the gymnasium, recently broke his leg. The ex-boxer is the trainer of Gardiner, who challenged Cleverley for his place as dominion representative to the Olympic Games, but was unsuccessful. Dick Lovcrklgc, who met Broadfoot four months ago on the West Coast, t—. ui li am, since, but the

pair are scheduled to meet at Wairoa this month. From current reports from the north lie seems to be confident of gaining the decision and thus avenging his defeat, Te Aroha has also been negotiating with tho same pair to engage at a later date. The New Zealand ex-amatenr heavy-weight, who is boxing in Sydney under the name of Bill Ernest, lost a short bout preliminary at tho Stadium on January 21. His opponent was Bill Geary, of North Queensland, “who (says one report) “ came hero with a wonderful rccorcl, but to date has failed to impress. Ho was lucky to get the decision.” [Ernest is tho uoiiime do guerre of “ Bill ” Tyree, who received an unholy lacing at tho hands of big “Jim” Leckio at tho last New' Zealand amateur championships. Tho writer is inclined to think that were Lcckie in professional ranks in Australia tho New Zealand amateur heavy-weight champion would create something of a stir, for there is no doubting his boxing ability, gamcness, and punching power. Ho is rather kindly in the ring, but were he in professional ranks he would lose that.J The tales of Griffo’s £4OO bank balance wore a myth, and that Tex Rickard was suing for the return of the money he spent in defraying funeral expenses is a myth, too (writes “Solar Plexus” in_ the Sydney ‘Referee’). Griffo, consistent to the last, spent whatever ho received daily from kindhearted sportsmen who remembered him in the days when he was incomparable, and lie died without a cent. My knowledge ol the greatest boxer ever, made me remark at tho time ot tho nows of his alleged wealth arrived that it was not at all _ likely that ho had saved money. Griffo had as much chance of changing his generous nature as a Jeopard has ot changing its spots. That ho received quite some money every clay from passers-by there seems to bo no doubt. This being known to his many nc’cr-do-well acquaintances made it merely a matter of them asking from the generous Griffo, who, as was ever his ensfom, would disgorge without murmur.

The mueh-talkcd-ot' contest between Charlie Purdy and Ernie Jzzard ended in a draw. 'Purdy gave Ins best display in .Australia to date (says the Sydney correspondent of the ‘ New Zealand Sportsman ’). die was speedier, more aggressive, used forcing tactics, and was generally faster in hitting than fzzard, the second best English light-weight of to-day. Purdy deserved tho decision. Izzard carried a sway in the in-lighting, in which department of boxing ho secored with jolts to the chin. The cpiiekness and cleverness of the two pleased tho public. There were many fast, exciting rallies throughout. lit the Fourth .Purdy's nose commenced (o bleed, but en the whole Purdy showed few marks on the Face as the result of tho fray. The fifth found Purely going hard to .Izzard's face, and it was not surprising when the Englishman’s left eye commenced to bleed. At the Jinish of tho round izzard’s affected eye was well puffed out. The Final rally was most exciting. The crowd was much smaller than anticipated. Purdy weighed in at P. 7, and Izzard 9.7:;. Izzard's work at close quarters was Fast. llis hard lighting in close was the better of the contest. Tho credit of the brightness of the bout must go to Purdy, who in reality had a little the better of the contest. The decision met with a mixed reception, tho majority favoring .Purdy. A return would draw well. Time tic ks on and still no one suitable to battle with Johnnio Leckic, king of New Zealand Feather-weights. The W.8.A., which body has Leckic signed k> appear in Wellington this month, is rather perplexed (says a northern scribe). There does not appear any likelihood of .Bill M'Allister coming across to test out our feather champion, but there is a remote chance that Stadiums may release Johnny Curley For a month. Failing the ex-Fcather-weight champion of Europe, the W.B.A. has eyes on one Billy -Melton, an Australian who, last Wednesday week, had decidedly tho better of Jack Bowden, another Sydneysider of promise. Melton was given a popular decision. Of course, the Curley trip to Now Zealand can hardly;heexpected to be entertained by Stadiums, For if by any chance he failed against Leckio his powers of drawing in Sydney would be down to zero. It's really a tug-of-war—New Zealand wants Bill M'Allister and Johnny Curley, and Sydney wants Leckie. Maybe tho Sydney people will win, as they have both J.C. and B.M'A. powerless to act except under a penalty for breach of contract. Leckio is more, or less a Free lance. But if Billy Melton comes over there may bo a surprise packet to he undone.

Tommy Griffiths will probably spell until Easter, for it seems fairly apparent that bo Inis gone stale. His Wellington form was not his true form, though in some quarters it is said that Griffiths does not adopt the aggressive tactics ho was noted for once. .He may improve after a spell, and it has to be remembered that Griffiths lias bad a long ring career. He has been boxing in open competition since he was fourteen years of age, and actually won the South island amateur fly-weight championship when only fourteen years of age. The ex-Otago boxer, Lacldc Macdonald, has been matched in Sydney with the Englishman, Johnny Sullivan. Both men have beaten flip Italian middle-weight Bruno Frattini, and a good contest should result.