RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 20687, 9 January 1931, Page 4

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES [By Hookek.] It is a long time since things hav« been so quiet in New' Zealand boxing circles, and apart from the possibilities attaching to the importations of overseas’ boxers by the Wellington Boxing Association, New Zealand’s most enterprising body nowadays, the outlook does not appear particularly bright. Those associations possessed of vision are already getting busy with a view to framing programmes for the coming season, but unless Wellington releases some of its importations the difficulty with all of them will be lack of fighters.

The fighting blood of the American marine, Gene Tunney, is coming to the surface (says an American fight paper). Reports have it that Joe Jacobs, American manager of Max Scbnielling, cabled Max in Germany sounding him out on a Tunney fight. Max replied he would fight Gene or anyone. If Tunney decides to come back it is not necessary to ask if anyone will meet him. Tunney will have the say so as he is the champion and the only real fighter in - the heavy-weight ranks, barring Striding and Max Basr. Harry Marshall, the American, who recently passed through. Auckland and ■who stated his intention of returning to New Zealand, has burst all calculations (says an exchange). He made a good impression by beating Tommy Crowle and was then billed to meet Bobby Blay, but Marshall suddenly disappeared and is reported to be now on the high seas, bound for New York. Says a Wellington writer: “Boxing is to boom in Wellington during tb© next twelve months.” The reward of enterprise and progress. Wellington has set an example which other associations might well follow. Australian light-weight champion, Norman Gillespie, was to have his first contest since he’ returned from New Zealand at Leichhardt Stadium tonight. Walter (Kid) Lee, of America, will be his opponent. Teddy Green, fly-weight champion, claims the bantam title owing to Billy M'Alister’s refusal to defend his crown. Frankie Jackson knocked out M'Alistep last week at Broken Hill (says th© Sydney ‘Referee’), and a contest between Green and Jackson should settle the dispute. The crowd that was present at the recent middle-weight championship contest in Sydney between Ambrose Palmer and Jack Haines, in which the former knocked the title-hloder out for the first time in Haines’s career, has been likened to those of pre-war days. The gate was in the vicinity of £2.000. Bobby Blay, who arrived in Wellington last week, is likely to have contests outside the Empire City, as it is reported that the Taranaki Association is considering a match in which Blav will be one of the principals. Llew Edwards is also likely to get further matches in New Plymouth. Jack O’Malley, the ex-New Zealander, and Leo Bandias, of Victoria, will open the Melbourne Stadium early in January (says an Australian writer!. Herman Bundren, the American middle-weight, lost his first contest in Australia on a foul, hut he has come through with a couple of good solid wins since then, which may be such as will make him a draw against the new Australian middle-weight champion, Ambrose Palmer; who should'be in the position to do much to bring the gam© back to favour in Melbourne. Bundren knocked out Walter Libert, the Belgian middle-weight, in seven rounds recently, and last week made very short work of Beniasconi, the Italian boxer, who has been a complete fizzle in Australia. Beniasconi was the man who ran from the ring after facing a few, rounds with Jack Haines. Jim Corbett showed the world that tralia. Beniasconi was the man who sess a lot of strength and power to win battles in the ring when he defeated the great Sullivan by speed and science (says an American writer). Before Corbett licked Sullivan the best people looked on the prize ring as a brutal and vulgar sport, but Corbett changed these ideas by changing the style of boxing. He made it a manly and clean sport, and the highbrows fell iu line and boxing boomed all over the world. According to an exchange, Tommy Donovan has received a cable from the Leichardt Stadium matchmaker, Sydnev, asking him to enter into a contract to "fight a number of contests there.' During a discussion in Sydney between Stadium authorities, it was decided that New Zealand front-rankers should be angled just as Australian champions were being sought after by New Zealand associations. It is not likely that either Donovan or Johnny Deckle wili leave the dominion at present. There is not the slightest doubt that New, Zealand can offer better inducements to boxers of class than Australia at the present time, for there are associations throughout the dominion only too pleased to "avail themselves of the services of good boxers. Light-weight champions have proven more durable than the title holders of other divisions (says an American writer). Kid Lavignc boxed for twentyfour years; Battling Nelson, twenty; Joe Ghns, nineteen; Frank Erne and Ad Wolgast. sixteen; and Benny Leonard, twelve.

According to an American paper, Ac© Hudkins, one of the leading American middle-Hveights, was recently offered substantial inducement to make th© trip to Australia, but so far he has not deluded to do so.

Jack Dempsey’s left hook was always regarded as an ideal knock-out blow, (says a writer in the American ‘ Knockout’). It travel led a very short distance, and wonder was expressed how such a short punch could carry so much force, but Dempsey had a way of giving his wrist a twist which gave the punch an impetus of power, and when it connected it was the cud of a perfect punch. Dave Shade will remain in Europe for some time longer. Mr Jeff Dickson did the wise thing when ho matched the Californian with Jack Hood for the Albert Hall on October 28, that is to say next Tuesday fortnight (says an English writer). There is such a general agreement that Len Harvey ought to meet Shade again, that there will he a large crowd of sympathisers with the American, while unless we are greatly mistaken a host of Midlanders will arrive all eager to cheer Jack Hood on to victory, if Jack can win one. In Birmingham and district they are most strongly of the opinion that Harvey and Hood should engage in a third meeting, and there can be_ no doubt at all should Hood succeed m beating Shade that Harvey would have to agree. Even the Coriushman’s warmest admirers would refuse to listen were Harvey to pursue his contention that his whole attention is concentrated on Mickey Walker, and that he has no time to spare for anyone else. All the experts were in agreement that there was only a very narrow margin, if any at all, between Len and Jack when the two met at the Holborn Stadium, while their return at Olympia ended in “a draw.” [Hood beat Shade.] ft ■