RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 21571, 17 November 1933, Page 6

RINGSIDE TOPICS

[By Hooker.]

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES

COMING CONTESTS. November 20. —;Tecl Oxley v. Archie Hughes (light-weight title), at Hastings. November 20.—George Singleton v. Rav Nicol, at Invercargill. November 24.—Franklin v. Ha ires, at Gisborne. Professional Match Postponed. Just when Dunedin boxing followers were congratulating themselves on the fact that a worth-while contest was to be staged here on Monday between Clarric” Rayner and Colin Jones, the news came to hand Jones was sulicring with stomach trouble and might not be able to appear for a month or two, so the 0.8. A. had no option but to postpone the mill. It is unlikely the bout will now take place this -side of Christmas, and in the meantime there is likely to be little activity in boxing circles 'locally. Jones is a most unlucky fellow. He has been under engagement to the Otago Boxing Association on several occasions, and has had to call the contest off each time on account of some mishap of a more or less serious nature. Just when ho was recovering from a broken collarbone he had the misfortune to be laid aside with his present trouble. Contest at Invercargill. Invercargill will be the scone of a heavy-weight contest on Monday next, when George Singleton,' formerly of Western Australia, will meet the New Zealand heavy and light-heavy-weight champion, Ray Nicol, for the second time. It may be recalled that the first contest between the men caused some discussion, Singleton sustaining a fractured jaw as the result of an accidental collision with Nicol, and being unable to continue, lost the fight, which went to Nicol. Since then Singleton has had two fights against Alan Campbell and Billy Sullivan, both of which he won. Nicol subsequently won the heavy-weight championship from Campbell, and has engaged in a number of bouts in both islands. The ‘Southland Times’ says: “ Nicol’s last appearance hero was against Eddie Parker, of Timarn, a few weeks ago, when ho added to his list of wins another victory. Nicol did not appear to be too fit on that occasion, and there were many in the audience who considered that the Timaruvian had won. Nicol is sure to be fitter (he will need to be) for his next engagement, and as Singleton has been improving with every spar, the contest promises to be a memorable one. Should Singleton succeed in defeating Nicol, there is sure to be a return arranged, with Nicol’s heavy title at stake. This would prove another big draw for the 5.8. A., and, incidentally, place Singleton on a pedestal which would mean plenty of fights and more money. A great opportunity lies in front of the Australian, and should he take it there is no doubt that be will be in demand all over Now Zealand.” Hawes Gets Verdict. A prolonged demonstration of disapproval greeted the verdict that P. G. Hawes, of Canterbury, professional dominion feather-weight champion, had beaten Clarrie Rayner, of Blenheim, on points over twelve rounds (says the Christchurch ‘Sun’). The fight was hard and fast, and it was touch-and-go until the final gong, but Hawes just scraped home. There was a fairly good house, and several supporting bouts contributed to an ’ entertaining programme. Hawes weighed in at 8.10 and Rayner at 9.0, and (he referee was Mr J. D. Hutchison. If the bout bad been judged on rounds Hawes had a lead at the end, but taking the fight point for point the result was close enough to justify a section of the crowd’s displeasure. Hawes tried several times throughout the bout to pin his right on Raynor’s jaw, but ho was bringing it too far across, and he missed badly with many of his other punches; Rayner was faster on his foot, and doubled Hawes’s exchanges in the close work during the clinches. Hawes, however, pulled up a great deal in the intermediate rounds with fast, two-handed leads, and this factor was probably lost sight of by the crowd.

AN APPRECIATION (Contributed.)

An appreciation of Ernie Davies as a man and as a boxing instructor is penned by “ W.T.L.,” one of his old friends and pupils. ‘‘ With the death oi Ernest Davies there passed an old boxing instructor of the nearly extinct Jem Mace school. Anyone who bad not the pleasure of seeing Ernie in action can have no conception of what a deadly weapon a straight left really is. Ernie used it as a blow, not-as a feint for a following’right-hand, and he taught his pupils that straight hitting was bound to connect before a hook or a swum, as it had a shorter road to travel, lie turned out quite a number of really good boxers, among whom were Dave Smith (heavy-weight champion of Australia), Steve ' Moynahan (twice amateur champion of New Zealand), Jim Moloney (professional heavy-weight champion ot New Zealand and runnerup to Peter Cling in the Sydney £1,000), Billy and Harry North', anil many lesser liglifs.” Here and There.

Efforts are being made to match Clarrie Rayner and Percy Hawes at Blenheim on December 16 for the latter’s feather-weight title, which was not in dispute when Hawes secured a points decision over Rayner at Christchurch last week.

Frank Bennie, the Hawke’s Bay light-weight, was only a work-out for Ted Oxley at Mastcrton (says the ‘ New Zealand Referee ’). The titleholder indicated from the opening exchange that he was in a different class from his opponent, and in the third round a loft prop to the jaw set Bonnie up for a knock-down with a right-cross. Referee “Chick” Barr’s chant was unheard by Bennie, who did not come up again. It was bad luck for the Wairarapa Association to have the bout ended so early. Tommy Paul, the N.B.C. American importation, who recently lost his N.B.A. (National Boxing Association of America) world’s feather-weight title, may face Jimmy Kelso on the occasion of his Australian debut, in about five weeks’ time,

There is talk of Bobbie Burdie turning professional (says an exchange). This lad has certainly earned the right

tor his amateur career has been a long and meritorious one. George (“ Chick ’’) Barr, who refereed the Oxley-Bonnie match in Masterton last week, was amateur featherweight champion in 3912, and was a inember of tho New Zealand team which Walter Atack took to Australia that year (says the ‘ New. Zealand Referee ’). Ted Oxley moots Archie Hughes in defence of his light-weight title on Monday night. Oxley’s record is an impressive one, and in seventy contests (amateur and professional) he has won fifty-eight, drawn three, and lost nine. Tod Morgan appears to have done his share to boost boxing in Australia since his arrival, and the former world’s junior light-weight champion has had two hectic contests with Jimmy Kelso, the Australian light-weight champion.'. The first match took place at Sydney Stadium, and according to accounts (here was little between the pair, though Kelso received the verdict. Morgan' turned tho tables on Kelso last Saturday at Melbourne after another torrid battle.