RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 5

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES

[By Hooker.]

Johnny M‘Kay writes from Gisborne stating that he is at present, in training for a contest with Joe Franklin, which will probably be staged by the. (Gisborne Association at the end of the present month. He was offered a contest in Hawke’s Bay against Archie Hughes, on February 16, but owing to the death of, his father, he had to.decline. M‘Kay, popularly known as “ Cyclone,” states that he has never fought in the South Island, -but would like to get a match in Dunedin or Invercargill, and in order- to get before the public there he would hot. ask' for the “moon.” • Although he has;not been a professional long, M‘Kay has had five , contests, and has beaten Bern Evans (of Queensland), ■ Harry Hughes (the ex-New Zealand amateur champion), ’he has twice drawn with Jo© Franklin, and'lost on points-to the dominion champion (Ted Oxley). There are quite a few who reckon M‘Kay is as tough and strong as Franklin,; and as ah amateur or a ; professional he has^ 1 never been put off his feet. His natural weight is about 9.4, but for a featherweight title bout with Clarrie Rayner he would be prepared to make 9st four hours before the contest. However, his objective at- the present time 'is the title at present held by Ted • Oxley.- v M'Kay’s record makes him worthy of consideration for a -contest, and ; the ■ 0.8. A. might weigh him up when sorting out its programme for future bouts.At the moment efforts are still being made to arrange a contest between JoeFranklin and Ted Oxley, and, .with* Archie Hughes, Johnny M‘Kay, and’ Clarrie'Rayner also in the offing, some worth-while bouts might be arranged if negotiations could only be completed.; But it is necessary that bouts shoitld be. held at regular intervals if public interest is to be, revived sufficiently to put boxing back on its old level. Though the Wellington; Boxing Association has not done anything. in the way of promoting contests' during the summer months, the of the organisation has ’ not" been inactive (stated the ‘ New Zealand Sportsman last Saturday). The executive officers of the association hare met at fairly, regular intervals during the recess, and, as a result of their ■ deliberations, at progressive policy has heen decided upon. Already Jack Fitzgerald is under engagement to the W.8.A., and it is expected that he will- be followed l to New Zealand by other rising Australians of suitable" class at a fairly oarly dato., The W.B.A. is cognisant of the fact that the professional boxers in this country have reached the juncture where they require to f a ? 6 -outside material to gain extra experience and thus improve their class 1 ; hence the adoption of the go-ahead policy for which machinery; is ’ about. ;to be set in operation. It is the present intention of the W.B.A. to ‘ promote professional contests; at least- monthly, and, with judicious match-making, the scheme should be practicable.' •• . Joe Franklin’s record as.a profession! is appendedl932. Drew, with J* M‘Kay, ten rounds. 1933: Beat Craig, points, ten rounds ; beat A. Robertson, k. 0., two rounds ; lost Percy, Hawes,points, twelve rounds; beat Len Kuuckey, t.k.0., six rounds; beat Clarrie Rayner, k. 0., twelve rounds; lost Ted Oxley, points, ten rounds. 1934 : Beat Colin Jones, k. 0., four rounds. ,-Al Burk, the Australian middleweight, provided considerable, excite* ment in his fight with Del Fontaine (Canada) at London recently. Burk was floored three.times in the third round for nine, nine, and two-seconds,-but won on the intervention of the referee in the (thirteenth round, in which he punished Fontaine so severely: that the. Canadian’s: face was badly cut and bleeding when he went to . his corner* Although it is early yet to be talking of-amateur tournaments,.it is to be hoped that the Otago Boxing Association will make some effort soon after its annual meeting to stir up interest in-amateur rinks, and to'do something to create a revival of activity in the various schools. The instructors have had a hard time of .it during the last couple of seasons, ‘and they " are deserving , of every assistance in their ef* forts to keep the game going. This is a. matter that might well be considered by the appointment of a special committee of the Otago Boxing Association! to devise ways and means of increasing interest in the amateur side' of the game. ' . “Yank” Pearl, the professional name of Albert Clarkes Bayliss, who has been an identity in Australian boxing for over twenty-five years, first as a boxqr, than as a promoter, and more recently as -a referee at Leichhardt Stadium, passed away at Brayside Private Hospital, Stanmore, on Tuesday afternoon last week (says-the Sydney Referee ’). He was forty-seven years of age. ' , They say that Don M'Corkindale, the Springbok British Empire heavyweight champion, and Walter Nuesel, of Germany, are the biggest heavy* weight attractions in America. Jack O’Malley, the Australian heavy* weight, who fought in "New Zealand some years ago and later mixed it in' the London and European rings, is reported to have turned the game up* Jack is working • in Sydney filling handles for thirsty customers (says aJ northern writer), < : Seen' after his return from Dunedin,Joe Franklin had the following to say:; “ Colin Jones put up quite a good showing while he lasted,, and I was told afterwards that he was considered to be ahead .on points at the-end ofi the second round. I would, now like to, get a shot at Rayner for the title,but best of all I want Ted Oxley over, fifteen rounds for the light-weight title. If any association will put on the bout I will guarantee them a fight! ” — New. Zealand ‘ Free Lance.’