RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 20421, 28 February 1930, Page 16

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES 4# [By Hooskr ] FIXTURES. March 15.—Pete Sarron r. Tommy Donovan, New Plymouth. March 19.—A. J. Cleverley r. A. Campbell, at Waimatc. Date to be fixed—Norman Gillespie’s appearance in Dunedin. ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING. The nuuual meeting of the Otago Boxing Association is to bo held next Tuesday. night, and it is hoped that members will attend in large numbers vvth a view to impressing ujvon the executive that no pains must be spared during the coming year to ensure a period of greater activity than has been the case during the last twelve months. t The annual report makes barren reading 's!) far as professional contests aro concerned, and although the association received several set-backs through no fault’ of its own it behoves members now to put their shoulders to the wheel and sod to it that interest in the fistic art is not allowed to lapse through insufficient contests. The visit j of Norman Gillespie has been hung up, and the association should make some endeavour to secure definite advice from Gillespie as to when’bo intends coming this way. One encouraging feature or the year’s operations was that the association did much to foster and encourage the amateur side of the sport, which is at present flourishing in DunedinSeveral officials of the 0.8. A. gave up a good deal of time to act at, the various amateur tournaments held by the association itself, and by the University and colleges. Reference is made in the annual report to Johnny Lcckio’s defection in the following terms; “Had Johnny Lcekie stood by his agreement with this association there is no doubt that the active period of the prevous year would have been repeated. As it was. the committee, after sending Mr Kilmartin to Australia and making arrangements for the best available talent to conic to Dunedin, had no option but to cancel all existing contracts.’’ With arrangements made for a good programme of fights, the hitch in negotiations with Decider to appear here was responsible for the disappointing end of what had promised to bo an eventful year. Boxing followers will join with tie write* - in expressing the nope that the coming yoar will soo a return to the activity and enthusiasm that marked the year 1928. RESTRICTION OF PURSES. For a long, time past, “Cestus,'' the Christchurch ‘ Star, ’ boxing, writer, and this writer have been putting forward suggestions in regard to the trying out of percentage purses, and the annual report ot the Otago Boxing Association states that “it is a matter for regret that the delegates (at the New Zealand conference) saw . fit to place further .restrictions on tho amount of purses ■ payable to professional boxers by associations.” While tho present absurd restrictions are in force associations cannot expect to attract tho host talent from overseas to tho dominion, but were tho percentage system tried out boxers would be paid what they are worth, and if associations guaranteed lighters a certain 'minimum it would probably be found that many fine fighters would come this- way. ■ This is a matter that might well be discussed at the annual meeting of tho local association. HERE AND THERE. Says “Cestus,” of tho Christchurch •Star,’ in regard to the recent MorganTrowern contest; —“If Morgan appeals ho must win on a point of law. Certainly he should not suffer through the failure of the referee to interpret the law correctly. It is not a question of fact, but Of law, and the law in this case is distinctly in favour of Morgan. Trpwcrn may have been fouled iu some accidental manner, audit' so was quite justified in putting in his claim, bub a claim under the circumstances set forth is decided by a law of the game, and if it is''not upheld, then lie loses. As it was not upheld, then the plain course of tho referee was to declare Morgan the winner.” The balance-sheet of the .Otago Boxing Association shows an excess of assets over liabilities of £B9B 11s 6d—a very satisfactory position, despite the somewhat desultory period experienced last year. Th- record house for the year was the Macdonald-M‘lnnes bout, in which the takings were £379 19s 3d, the Shack-Leokie bout drawing a bouse worth £370 6s lOd. - Aif Cleverly la well Under way with his preparation for his coining contest in Waiimito witli Alan Campbell (says the Now Zealand ‘Sportsman’). He was over 14st in weight when he .commenced his training, and is now down ti I3st. It is expected that ho will take the ring against Campbell at something like ’12.3. Whatever lus poundage, he will come well within t»c light-heavy-weight )i’ tit. _ Campbell is training under Tom Harris, :"'d is reported to bo punching ba ,*r than over before. A good mill should result when this pair clash. ’1 o previous meeting, when both were amateurs, was won by Cleverly in a close bout.

Ted Morgan may appear in Napier on February 26. At the present time tho Napier pcoplo aro considering Grime hs an opponent; failing him (says tho ‘New Zealand Sportsman’) Lou Bloom’s services will bo sought. Vi Hastings the executive of the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association is doing its best to bring Artie Hay and Tod Morgan into the ring again. Tho third meeting of Norman Gillespie and Jack Roberts was not.up to that of the hectic second mill, tho punching being more erratic than in tho previous contest, Gillespie bad the better of tho opening stages, and, though Roberts occasionally swung bis right to tho ribs and sometimes to the head, Gillespio was beating him to the punch. Roberts was down for three in tho eleventh round, and staggered with a groat right just on the bell. Roberts was cut just above tho loft evo, and was having tho worst of things, though he did line work with his left in tho fourteenth. Gillespie was on top in the last round, and apparently be deserved the verdict, which was generally applauded. Tommy Griffiths reckons he is not yet done with. Whether ho can essay a come-back, time alone will show, but

ho wiU probable find it hard to get fights after his disappointing showings in his last few mills, in which he showc I form far below his best. Still, he has had n mod spelt, and reckons he is in good fettle at the present time. George Hart, amateur light-weight, has been training with Griffiths, and is reporte"! to be shaping nicely. He is engaged in a preliminary to the Cleverly-Campbell fight at Waimatc next month. Lachio Macdonald has undoubtedly slipped, and for the greater part ol his middle-weight title bout with Artie Hay had to give way to the holder of the title. He was unable to sustain his efforts, but showed heaps of pluck towards the finish, when Hay was on top of him all the time. Hay, however, was unable to finish off the former holder of the title, and all ho beat was merely a glimpse of the Macdonald that was. Great enthusiasm is being shown at Archie Leckie’s class, and one of the most improoved boys under his care is Dick Leckie, a brother of Johnny Leckie. Dick has blossomed into a lightweight, and is fighting well at present. He is standing up and using plenty ol footwork, being one of those who may be expected to show up at amateur tournaments this year. There are several others showing good promise, and under Archie’s guidance it should not he long before the novices have the rough edges chipped off.