RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 20315, 25 October 1929, Page 16

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES WRESTLING MATCH FOE DUNEDIN. [By Hooker ] FIXTURES. October 28.—Reg, Trowenr v. Ted Morgan, at Grcyniouth. November I.—Tommy Donovan v. Herb Barklo, at Wellington. November 2. Wrestling, Clarence Ekland v. Maracci Gardini, at' Dunedin. November 30.—Tommy Donovan v. Pete Sarron, at New Plymouth, December 7.—Johnny Leckie v. Billy Grime, at Napier. JOHNNY LECKIE’S REAPPEARANCE. What with discussions over contracts and the fact that ho lias been laid aside with ill-health Johnny Lcckio has received heaps of free publicity during tho past few months, but the New Zealand leather-weight champion is becoming restive, and to the writer during the week ho expressed himself as being anxious to be up and doing. Leckie informed tho Napier Boxing Association that ho was prepared to appear there about the end of November, and he has already received advice that ho has been matched there with Billy Grime on December 7. Grimo was* to have como over sooner, but Leckio’s indisposition and the fact that the Australian sulfered an eye injury in his last contest with Pete Sarron has led to a postponement of the trip to a later date, which will probably suit the Napier Association better than the original dates. Grimo has been eager to have another tilt at Johnny Leckio ever since tho latter bowled the former Australian triple champion over at Sydney in Leckie’s first Australian appearance. Both men have decisions to their credit over the American hurricane puncher, Pete Sarron, and botli havo been knocked out by Sarron in their return contests. Grime beat botli Charlie Purdy and Reg TTowern in New Zealand on Ins wav to America in 1927. Ho outpointed Purdy at Wellington over lit teen rounds, and outed Troweru at Auckland in nine rounds. His appearance in the dominion is bound to create a great deal of interest, and if Lcckie reproduces his best form this match should provide a clinking mill. Napier is fortunate in securing first call on Grime’s services, and there are tew who will begrudge this progressive association the 44 house ” that its enterprise deserves. Leckie has been training solidly over the hills during the past week or two, and certainly looks much more like fighting than be did a few weeks back. He told the writer that fie would be satisfied with two fights before Christmas, and that being so it seems to bo on the cards that bo will bo clasli ing with the Taranaki knock-out king. Tommy Donovan, lor the featherweight title before the year is out. Is has been only in the last tew bouts that Donovan has met opposition ot any class, but his short-cut wins over Griffiths and Hector Leckie wore so convincing as to entitle him to a clash fo>- Johnny Leckie’s title. The pair met at Napier in the New Zealand amateur championships in 1926 in the feather-weight division, and on that occasion Lcckie won decisively. Against Leckie at tho top of his form Donovan’s chances would not be too highly regarded, but it remains to be seen whether Johnny can reproduce his previous best form. In any case his contest with Donova i is bouud to create as much interest as any other bout of tho year. ENTERPRISE STIFLED. Although tho fight game is now be ginning to show signs of a little mure File it cannot be denied that the past year has been one of loss activity than For some seasons past, and even now tho outlook does not appear to be particularly bright. Earlier in tho present year several of tho dominion’s best fighters were meeting with considerable success in Australia, but their return to tho dominion found tho game m a more or less lethargic state, and exponents wcivhard to lind for New Zealand’s best men of various weights. There were insufficient men of class in the country to put on bouts at regular intervals throughout the dominion, and that stato of affairs still prevails. Is the New Zealand Boxing Council doing anything to remedy it? By its actions whore’ tho Otago Boxing Association was concerned, it seems as if it were out to stifle legitimate enterprise, and the action ol the Dominion Conference in making further restrictions in the size ot the maximum purse allowable has dealt boxing a blow, the results of which tune alone will show. It certainly seems, however, that few boxers of real class arc likely to be attracted to New Zealand From overseas while the present restrictions are in force, and once the state ot the game in Australia improves, and there is a consequent increase in purses over there it will probably bo found that the dominion’s best boys will be attracted over there. The boxing administrators havo not looked far enough ahead, there has been too much meddling with the rules in the last year or two, and it seems about time that the house was put in order. The action of iho Otago Boxing Association, one of the most enterprising and progressive boxing organisations in the dominion, in cancelling all its contracts recently would indicate that its members are not satisfied that their efforts to_ place the game in a strong position in Dnnedm meets with the approval of the dominion controlling body. ft will be admitted that the Inst month or so has witnessed a number of professional limits of a bind, but otic would hesitate to compare any of them with the great programme that was staged here last year. If the game is to fldUrish in New Zealand, more enter prise will have to Iw shown w-hero the professional side of the sport is concerned, and. as was pointed out some time ago, the advantages of the percentage purse are certainly worthy of serious consideration. • DONOVAN’S CLAIMS. Hector Leckio and Tommy Donovan apparently provided some fireworks in their contest at Stratford on Saturday night, and while it lasted the milling must have been of a fairly torr d nature. Once again Donovan she ved that he packs a punch, b : s win hv ihe k.o coming in the eighth round Hector Leckie’s Now Zeeland fight-weight title was not at stake, both men being inside the feather-weight limit, but the mori; natural thing row would seem that Donovan should rimllengc the holder of the light-weight title. Donovan is a natural feather-weight, nut with Saturday’s win behind him a few pounds disadvantage in weight_ should not trouble him. Donovan’s rise has been one of the sensations of tho. fistic

year, and, though be is several years older than Johnny Leckie. his wins have been scored in similar fashion to tho latter’s early victories, though it has to bo admitted that ’ net classier boxers in his earlier contests t.han did Donovan., Tho Taranak-' fireman has as yet met no man of the class of Tnnun.i Barber, Norman Rad ford. Billy Grime, Norman Gillespie, or Claude Wilson, to mention a fewof those whom Lcckie 'tetoned, but he has done all that has been 'ked of him, and done it in workmanlike fashion, and ho is •-.-v- •- i ”- , -'d t n a tilt at higher game. Ho has been busily engaged this year, and must be salting nwav unite a tidv little amount in stakes. TBs next outing is w-th the Australian. TWh. Darkle, at Welling ton oh November 1 TOMMY GRIFFITHS’S FORM. No follower of the boxing game will believe that Tnmmv Griffiths was not a trior in his contest with Frank Tayior at To Aroha, but by his showings in his last few contests it_ is apparent that Griffiths is not boxing with the speed or cleverness ri-oractensod his efforts of a year or two hack’, rrd as lie docs not scorn to ho able p o get going he would fie -ril advised to cither have a good lay-off or to give the game best. Griffiths and Taylor have nowmet four times, and the fact that their meeting last week resulted in no contest ” is sufficient indication that neither boy showed tho form of which they were previously capable. Griffiths is building up a good school in Dunedin, iio is a clever instructor, and a popular follow, and if ho feels himself that ho is not able to regain his lost form, ho should not hesitate to devote himself to the task of making his school one of the best in the province. Ho has been too good a boy and too clever a boxer to be made a 'chopping block for hoys who would not have looked near him when ho was at his host. Griffiths is only twentyfour or twon tv-five years of age, but ho has been boxing longer H’on most -of those professionals now- in the game in New Zealand, and if he does decide to retire he will go out of act : vo emu,i°tit'on with noti-'crr but credit, fI" fought some great fights at. times, efton •riving away a lot of wch-ht. and h° is nob the' first-boxer to find himse'f -n the position of bring unable to snow the form of which ho is truly capable. WRESTLING CONTEST ARRANGED. Dunedin will Have its ursv. gumps.o or modern wrestlers next week, when two ot the best grappiers at present m Hie dominion win meet at tiio Hall, the contest between_ Ciareneo Eklunu and Maracci Gardini being scheduled for Saturday, November 2. Eklund is the world’s light-heavy-weight champion, but as he will bo -engaged in anotlici- contest a few- days bciore his Dunedin appearance lie does not think it reasonable to ask to make tho light-heavy-weight limit for ins contest with Gardini, and consequently ms xitly will not bo involved in iduncdinEklund is willing, however, to defend his title hero on November 16 if lie still retains the championship, so that lans have prospects ol two thrilling clashes here next month Gardini is a powerful fellow, and holder heavyweight championship of Finland, aim his contest with Eklund is creating a considerable amount of interest. ' Spectators will bo kept fully apprised of the various holds as the contest progresses, and an opportunity will also be afforded during the training operalions of the two men for tho public to witness exhibitions of tho various holds. An riforl. will also he made to secure irood local, boys for the preliminaries. ” Mr J. M. F. Connelly, who is one of the leading lights in the control ot the wrestling game in New /.oaland, icwards the Otago Wrestling Association as fortunate to secure two such wed known matmcii for its first match, and im feels satisfied tho Dunedin public will bo just as keen about the spurt as is the ease with tho public in northern centres. Upon the support accorded its initial ventures the fate of _the Otago Wr stling Association depends, and the [act that there is every likelihood oi tho twelve best wrestlers in tho game appearing in the main New Zea and centres next year _ shows what a hold the sport has obtained in a very short space of time. ~. It is probable that both men wid train for the contest at lom Hauls s gymnasium. HE A VY-WEIGHT SENSATION. Prima Camera’s sensational and lightning victory against Jack Stanley has set the English and European boxing world agog, and the praise that has been lavislicc.l on the -Ost heavy weig.il by- acknowledged experts in the game is such as must ensure for the Italian recognition Irom tho powers that be where the heavy-weight situation is concerned. He is to meet Young Strihling at Ban’s .on October 31. and if begets by the 41 Georgia Peach” it can ho taken as a certainty that American light promoters will bo looking for him wit!) every inducement at their com mand. Good big fellows are lew and far between, and the Italian seems to be just the type of personality tho American fight promoters havo been looking for since the great magnet, Jack Dciupscy, gave the game' host. Ranlino and Campolo are big strong lighters, with personalities that have appealed to the American public; but, allied to his size and strength, Camera appears to bo possessed of considerable boxing skill. Stribling will ccrtatinly give some further line on Camera’s possibilities, for, despite his defeat at the hands of Sharkey, Stribling is one of_ tho best of the present hunch of American heavyweights. He is twenty-five years of age, weighs ISolb and stands oft llin. iTc has won most of his bouts by tho short route, and included among those he Ims defeated have been Tommy Louglu-an (former light-heavy-weight champion of the world), George Cook, Johnny- Risko, Jimmy Delaney, Jimmy Slattery, and other well-known fighters. Praise from such men as Jimmy Wilde and Eugene Corri is not lightlygiven, and if ho disposes of Stribling by sheer punching power then Garner a may yet find himself in the position of being able to prove himself the heavy-weight sensation of the century. HECTOR LECKIE’S RETURN. Tho writer understands that there is a possibility of Hector Leckie meeting Tommy Donovan in a return contest at Ashburton next month. The Ashburton Association has placed itself on the boxing map, and its progressive policy has been amply justified by results. ■Even if Lcckio is not good enough to account for Donovan, he should be capable of giving Ashburton fans a really good run for their money. TARANAKI’S GAIN. Other associations than Otago arc likely to benefit from the spade work done in Australia by- Mr Jack Kilmartin, and now comes news that the Taranaki Boxing Association has been successful in matching tho American conqueror of Blly Grime and Johnny Leckie, hard-hitting Pete Sarron, with Tommy (Donovan, the contest being fixer! for November 30. Donovan has been to New Plymouth what Johnny Leckie was to Otago, and tho appearance of Sarron for the maximum purse of £2OO should bo greeted by a tremendous house. It will bo in-

teresting, however,, to know if Sarron will bo prepared to accept £ISU iirbis subsequent contests, ns is now stipulated by tho rules. The change in regard to purses was designed to protect the smaller associations, but when Taranaki is able to offer the maximum purse it does not look as it tho reduction in tho size of purses was a necessary step. WRESTLERS’ ARRIVAL. Dunedin will be in tho throes of a wrestling boom next week, Maracci Gardini being due to arrive on Tuesday and Clarence Eklund tho' following day. Eklund will be met at the station by two pipers, and played to his hotel. On Tuesday night, at S o’clock, Gardihi will give a display at Tom Haras s gymnasium, and Mr J. M. 1 1 . Connelly has undertaken to confer with and" instruct local amateurs, also making arrangements for them to train with the professional men, Gardini will do his training each nmht, at 8, and shortly after 8.3 U Eklund will come on. Farmer Vance, who lias figured in two contests with Eklund recently, will referee the amateur preliminaries to next week s professional bout, and will also give a dcinoustratou of tho various holds with one of tho amateurs just prior to the professional match, 'this will enable the public to follow more closely the professional contest. T Harris and T. M'Queeu have been appointed the association’s official corner men, and Mr J. A Brown is the call steward. Mr M. Goughian, who has had a wide experience in the mat game, will referee the professional contest, and Messrs J. Kilmartni ancl T. M'Crncken will ho the official timekeepers. Mr W. D. Wilson is the scale fit The U 'association is inviting applications for the amateur preliminaries!, and two further prolcssional contests are to be held following the match between Gardim and Eklund. Air J. M. F. Connellv will act as announce!. HERR AND THERE. Kid Chocolate, who has been winning against all-comers in tho_ bantam and feather-weight divisions in America. and recently outpointed L'idel la Barba, is twenty-three years of age, Ins hantismal name being Ehgio bardimas. Ho stands only sft din, bub is n fighting pocket Hercules. He started fighting as an amateur, and had 100 tights, winning all of them—no fewer than eighty-six bv the knock-out route. He started his "professional career m the earlv part of last year, and among those ho heat last year were .Pablo Blanco (who is now doing well in the States), Johnny Green, Eddie O Dowd, and Binkv Silvcrberg. The medal for the most scientific boxer at the Christian Brothers’ High School tournament was awarded to J. Oliver, who was a member of the boxing class, though lie had left school before the tournament was bold. 11ns medal was presented by Air J. Knmartin, of the Otago Boxing Association, and Air A. Goodman's medai tor the host loser went to C. Mooney, who was the victim of tho worst decision scon in Dunedin for a long time past. According to reports, some of the northern associations have had somo difficulty in getting replies from prorninent overseas boxers regarding visits to the dominion, f t may be mentioned that when Sammy Shack lelt New Zealand the American feather-weight had in his pocket a letter from the Napier Boxing Association, in which it was it could not pay more than £ldo (including expenses) as a purse. It is hardly likely that the contents of this letter will be such as to induce the leading overseas boxers to trek across to the dominion Shack ums available and willing to fight, but could not secure contests, and bis experience is not likely to appeal .as encouraging to oilier American glovcmen iu Australia. \V. Carey, tho New Zealand amateur light-weight champion, made his professional debut at Oainaru last week, outpointing Fred Smitheram in a close contest. In his second contest on Monday night, however, Carey was technically knocked out by 'Fed Morgan in the ninth round, this marking Morgan’s third successive professional win bv (lie short route. Morgan meeds Troworn at Grevmouth on Monday night, not, Auckland as previously reported. The Wellington Southpaw is being kept busily engaged, and his meeting with Troworn should be productive of a fight full of action. The growth of the wrestling game in Now Zealand has been so rapid that already a movement is afoot to put the sport on tho same footing as boxing, and tho writer was given to understand from a conversation with Mr J. Al. F. Connelly that a conference of the various associations will bo held early next year with a view to centralising the administration of the sport, and also to consider the further development of the New Zealand amateur wrestling championships. It is expected that a year or two will see the amateur fixture recognised ns one of tho most important fixtures of Hie year. The Otago Boxing Association is to meet next week to consider tho possibility of arranging a professional contest in Dunedin in the near I’ntnrc. 'File advent of San-on. Grime, and Co. may give the game a boost along, and if suitable men can bo found there is everv reason why another bout .should lie staged in Dunedin as soon as possible.