RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 20427, 7 March 1930, Page 15

RINGSIDE TOPICS

[By Hookes ]

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES

FIXTURES. March 13.—Artie Hay v. Jim Broadfoot, at Hastings. March 15.—Pete Sarron v. Tommy Donovan, New Plymouth. March 19.—A. J. Cleverley v. A. Campbell, at Waimate. Date to be fixed.—Norman Gillcs* pie’s appearance in Dunedin. PERCENTAGE PURSES. The percentage purse system will have an advocate in the Otago Boxing Association when the next conference of delegates is held, and in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the Otago Boxing Association during the present week Mr F. J. Campbell gave his association’s reasons for supporting a scheme of things which has long been advocated by the writer and which was suggested by Mr J. Kihnartin a very considerable time ago. Mr Campbell said that Otago was wholeheartedly in favour of the percentage system, and were it introduced he declared that associations would have nothing to lose if boxers were offered 80 per cent, of the net takings. Boxers are worth the money they can draw, and the percentage system would undoubtedly mean that the best class of boxer would be attracted tb the dominion, providing that the present ridiculous limitations of purses, which is honoured more in the breach than the observance, were removed. Small associations would be. able to command the servmes of the lesser lights without risk of financial loss, and now that ah influential association such as Otago has taken up a definite attitude on this important question it will probably be found that other associations will follow suit. DOMINION CONTROL. The preseni control of the game in New Zealand came in for severe criticism at the annual meeting of the Otago Boxing Association during the week, and the president (Mr F. J. Campbell!, in the course of some outspoken remarks, declared emphatically that Otago was not getting a fair deal from the present headquarters at Wellington. There is no need to go into detail again over „ matters concerning Johnnie Leckie’s contract, but the council’s attitude in that particular instance was such as, to suggest that it did hot have the interests of the game as a whole at heart, but only of one particular section. Mr Campbell has made a suggestion which might be seriously considered at the next conference of delegates, and that is that the headquarters might he located wherever the New Zealand Amateur championships are held each year. Each centre im turn would then be the seat of the council, and no one dtty would' be able to exercise an undue influence on the control of the sport, as Mr Campbell alleges has been done in Wellington. FIGHT PROSPECTS. Otago’s negotiations with Norman Gillespie appear to have fallen through meantime, as the Australian lightweight champion has advised that he has the offer of three further contests in Sydney. It is a pity, for Gillespie had previously expressed his desire to visit Dunedin again. The 0.8. A. has been endeavouring to get Wally Hancock, Jack Roberts, and Young Llew Edwards to come over, and' there are signs that Edwards, who is one of the most promising feather-weights in Australia at the present time, may make the trip here. Should he eventually enter into a contract with the Otago Association, an endeavour will be made to match him with Tommy Donovan, who is reported to be willing to take part in a contest in Dunedin Both Ted Morgan and Reg Trowern have been approached with a view to their taking part in a contest in Dunedin towards the end of the present month, and should this match eventuate it looks a winner, as there was much debate over the outcome of the last meeting of the pair. The Otago Association has been dogged by bad luck in the breakdown of arrangement? when contests seemed assured, but boxing followers will hope for better fortune this year. t , HEAVY-WEIGHT SITUATION. The Scott-Sliarkey contest is exercising the minds oi ringside critics in America, and while most of them seem agreed on the fact that Scott is not up to world’s championship lonn, the majority seem of opinion that Snancey certainly fouled Scott.- The leading contender for the vacant heavy-weight title appears to have got away with it, however, giving rise to the belief that Sharkey has all along been looked upon as the logical opponent for the Ger-

man Max Schraeling, the pair now bo. mg matched for the world’s heavyweight championship. English critics do not rate Schmeling highly, but he appears to have come across in America, where he has been likened to Jack Dempsey in some respects, though, it is extremely doubtful if the German, will ever be the possessor of . that deadly punch and killer instinct that made Dempsey so formidable an opponent when ho was at the top of his form. The avowed intention of Dempsey to make a come-back will lend addediu- ■ terest to the heavy-weight sensation, and should he ultimately meet Sharkey American gate records would quite possibly be shattered for such a bout, especially if Sharkey were the homer or the world’s title at the time of such a mill.

HERE AND THERE. The cuuwjov between 1 .jimii.y uuuutuu ami irete oarion m 1 uow auieauieu-w> wuib p.aoe at rveflTv. fijiiiuuva on amumay o» next Wees, ;• ana outside oi us ordinary araw...g - powers me null lias received so mucfl iree paoucuy tuai it seems higmy prooame tuai New records will' oe surpassed in tue attendance. Donovan uaa a remamabiy line record, and i in Sarron he will be meeting an op- ; ponent of a similar type to hunselt, so - that a great light seems assured. Sarron should win, but if Donovan weathers the earlier rounds the Taranakij fireman will have to bo reckoned wui*, at the finish. Mr J. ivilmartiu has been added to the list of the Otago Boxing Associa- , tmn's vice-presidents, so that the association will still be able to call upon, . tne services of its most experienced administrator. Mr iviunamn did nne. worn in Australia last year in booxmg contests ror Dunedin, and it was tnrougu no lauit oi nis that the ar- . range men is lea throiign. " Some of tne reieiees 1 have seen.iu. tins country nave no earliuy right to nil tne position,” writes Bat Connors. trainer oi lea Morgan, to “ .rEneas, ol tue Nveliiugtou •rest.’, “it is msuit to tue paying public to nave " tnem there, and certaiuiy does no credit to tne associations who appoint tnelh, inis is a matter teat tue i\ew Aealaua Council snoaia attend to.” ino hum or patrons, i tmuK, will agree with , Mr Connors, and aocom him hearty cheers tor being so outspoken. ihe Batea uoxiug Association is anxious to ihas.cn licsiih urqunart (Aucitlano; ana mector Buckie (.states an exchange ).

a tournament is bung held at Coro on march z, , several match courses ' oeriig mooted. it is finely that ouii; emu schoo.s will bo weii represented. Due ui tne most enthusiastic and naru-wortaug members oi tne Otago' , jooxiug Association is Air B. Brown, vvao is again numoered among the com- ' imitee. axr nrown omciates as time- , iteeper at proiessiouul contests, out ho rareiy fails to act in some capacity at amateur tournaments, and it is by me ’ a ecu ness oi suou men as ue and others,,, iuch as Messrs Don Batersou, reter - iorric, id. Bowie, and V. Baiuer, mat tne amateur game nas been maning tne progress it has done during tho ' last year or two. Incso officials ui;d called upon to act frequently not only at association tournaments, but at those of the schools and colleges, and ~ their services are aavays given. .

Ihe Hawke’a Bay Boxing Association, has matched Artie Hay and Jim Broadfoot in Hastings on ihursoay, march 13. This will be a challenge from Hay ' for Broadloot’s light-heavy title, wu.cn ho recently won trom Eddie Pamef thrqugh the latter being overweight, " so it will be interesting to see if any can brine the honour back to Hastings., , If he can he will.be the holder of three different titles (says an exchange). . Hay has already a win over Broamoat to his credit, and there is no rersonv. whv he should not. repeat the ruse''., and become a triple champion, itvidently, Artie’s proposed Australian nip ... is still much in the air. but his eutf. intention is to sail at ,the end of next / month, and be 1 has stipulated his wil- ~ linmess to meet Morgan on his return George Hart, who is fighting a preliminary at Waimate this month, is? coming on nicely and improving with .. every soar. He is working out daily, with A. Griffiths, C. Buckley, V. Perry, _ and Saminv Sutherland. Tommy Griffiths also sparring with him occasion-,; ally. A like’y-looking heaVy-weig’ tin the Griffiths’ establishment is M,. L O’Rorke, who will probably be fighting at Gore this month .