NORMAN GILLESPIE RETURNS

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 2

NORMAN GILLESPIE RETURNS

IN GOOD SHAPE FOR MONDAY'S BOUT Nirman Gillespie is pleased to be back in Dunedin after an absence of ,„,, or three years. This time the Victorian is accompanied by Mr Sammy Chapman, well-known Sydney trainer and manager, and to the 'Star boxing writer' yesterday Gillespie expressed himself as being in good shape for Monday night's contest with Hector Leckie, the New Zealand light-weight champion. .. , . . ' Gillespie has held the light-weight championship of Australia for some considerable time past, and both he and his manager aver that Gillespie is Still the title-holder, despite the fact that a bout at Leichardt's Stadium, Sydney, recently was billed as being for the championship. Gillespie won the title from Bluey Jones, and in a title match with Jack Roberts knocked the Newcastle fighter out in the ninth round. Gillespie has been willing to take part in a title fight whenever the opportunity has offered, and leading Sydney writers seem to be or the opinion that to lose the title Gillespie will have to be defeated in the ring, and with that most boxing followers will be in _ accord. He has not vacated the title, and has been absent from Australia only a month or two. Just before coming to New Zealand Gillespie was offered three contests in South Africa, but he prefers to fight in the dominion while he can secure bouts. Without making excuses, he expressed the opinion that he was unable to strike his best form for his contests with Johnny Leckie and Tommy Donovan in the north, as he had trouble in becoming acclimatised. Those who had anything to do with the Australian champion on his last visit to New Zealand know that > he found trouble in 'becoming acclimatised on that occasion, and it was only when he met Johnny Leckie in that great contest here that he really struck his best form. Gillespie is confident that he will give his best 'display to date when he meets Hector Leckie, and he is also very keen on showing that his form against Johnny Leckie at Napier was all wrong, stating that nothing would please him better than a return match. Gillespie is still one of the best drawcards in Australia, for win or lose he almost invariably, gives a good exhibition. His manager (Mr Chapman) spoke highly of Leckie's display against Gillespie at Napier, comparing it with the showing made by Johnny against Billy Grime in Sydney last year.