BOXING

Evening Star, Issue 20468, 26 April 1930, Page 4

BOXING

DONOVAN BEATS GRIME AUSTRALIAN DISQUALIFIED [Per United Press Association.] lIAWERA, April 25. The largest crowd that has ever attended a boxing match at Hawera saw ’l'cmmy Donovan (9.3) gain the decision from Billy Grime 9.4) on, a foul midway through the eleventh round of a .scheduled fifteen-round boot. The blow that caused Grime’s disqualification was accidental, a left rip that started low and ended in the solar plexus,' doubling up Donovan with pain. Tho referee, Mr Earl Stewart, did not hesitate to give his decision. Up to that stage Donovan had a slight lead on points in a thrilling light.. Dbnovan was troubled by Grime’s unorthodox style, but tho Waitara man did good work with a straight left. Good judges said it was the host exhibition given by Grime in New Zealand. Hundreds were unable to gain admission to tho Opera House. The crowd crushed against the front of tho building until the glass show cases were smashed and the police had difficulty in controlling the mob. The Hawera Association has secured the first refusal of a return bout.

DONOVAN V. SARRON NEXT SATURDAY'S CONTEST In tho history of boxing in New Zealand no fight has aroused such interest as is being centred in tho meeting at the Stadium next Saturday afternoon of _ Pete Snrron, American featherweight, and Tommy Donovan, tho Taranaki lighter. Every association in New Zealand was angling for this contest, but, thanks to tho enterprise of the Otago Association in sending its secretary to Wellington, tho mutch was clinched for Dunedin at enormouso expense, which, Jioweyer, has been justified by the remarkable interest that is being taken in the bout. Sarron is ono of tho best performed fighters that has ever stepped into a New Zealand ring, and apart from his fine record in America, where bo was highly rated by many sports writers, he put up some sensational fights in. Australia, being tbo first fighter to stop “ Fighting Johnny ” Leckic. He once met Fidel La Barba, afterwards fly-weight champion of the world, in a semi-final at tho Olympic Games, and though La Barba secured a points decision there was very little in it either way. Donovan’s record in New Zealand is outstanding, for in nineteen professional fights ho has lost only one, and that on a foul when he had his man practically out. Sarron and Donovan met at New Plymouth in ouo of the most sensational fights ever seen in the dominion. Donovan was ahead on points at the end of the sixth round, and then Sarron staged a fierce rally, subjecting Donovan to severe body punishment. Donovan was floored, but the referee ruled a foul, and the New Zealander was awarded the bout. This caused endless discussion, and tho meeting of tho pair in Wellington aroused unprecedented interest, the contest drawing a record attendance of 17,009 spectators. Donovan adopted different tactics, and won a thrilling fight on points. Now comes the third bout of the series, and it Donovan con get by with tho decision he 1 , will have placed himself 1 in the best class of featherweight anywhere. Both men are tough, aggressive fighters, and both possess deadly punching power. The coming fight should be full of action, and with the issue very open it is expected that there will be a record crowd for Dunedin, if not for New Zealand, present. The ring is to bo erected in the centre of tho ground at a height of four feet, and from all sections of tho stadium a perfect view of the proceedings will bo obtained. Tho big' bout will bo preceded by the usual preliminaries. Tho executive of the Otago Association met ou Thursday evening to finalise matters relative to tho contest. Mr F. J Campbell (president) presided. The chairman reported that a Jotter bad been addressed to the Otago Rugby Football Union, tho Otago Football Association, and the Otago Rugby League suggesting that, ip l order to give their players and patrons an opportunity of 'attending the boxing contest, their senior matches bo staged at 1.30. Tho Otago Rugby Union regretted being unable to accede to the request. The Otago Football Association stated that, if possible, it would arrange the matches to commence at 1.30. Tho Otago Rugby League stated that' it would arrange for its matches to commence at 1.30.

The railway authorities advised that excursion fares would be available from Christchurch on the north and Invercargill on the south. Tho Oamaru train on May 3 would be delayed till 4.45 p.m., and tho south express would stop at Caversham. In order to work in with tho railway arrangements it vyas resolved to commence tho preliminaries at 2 p.m., and the'main bout at 2.45 p.m. The special sealing plan for tho stadium. together with tho colour scheme, was tabled, and the sub-committee’s report on tho ringside seating was submitted and agreed, to. The chairman stated that it was not possible to have a plan of the ringside, but every (purchaser of if ringside ticket would bo guaranteed a seat. Provision would be made for upwards of 2,000 seats. A new ring of 24ft had been constructed, and would be erected in tho centre ot the ground—elevated four feet. $ HEENEY MATCHED VANCOUVER, April 23. A message from Oakland (California) states that Tom Heoney has signed articles for a bout with an unnamed opponent.