RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 5

RINGSIDE TOPICS

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES [By Hooker.] LIGHT-HEAVY-WEIGHT TITLE REEVES IMPRESSES CRITICS Mr L. Poupard, the well-known Manawatu boxing official, writes stating that there was a splendid crowd for the light heavy-weight title fight between Harold Reeves and Ray Nicol. Most were well satisfied with the programme generally and the professional fight ’n particular, although there was some comment regarding clinching; but then heavies are expected to light in spells, otherwise they could not travel the distance. . ■ It was a long while since Mr 1 oupard had seen Nicol in action, and he missed the vigorous and strong attack he used to put up. In his fight as an amateur with Colin Gardiner in the championships at Palmerston North years ago ho kept up a persistent attack, but could not get past Gardiner’s left hand often enough to get the verdict. Nicol has travelled far since then and met with many successes, and ..e fought a great light against a vigorous and younger fighter in Reeves. In the early round Nicol was a shade in front, but about halfway he appeared to be fading slightly, and this gave Reeves tho chance to take the lead, which lie held to the finish. Reeves appears to ’be the more dangerous of the pair, although he is a

stone lighter. His right to the jaw and a right under the heart are both capable of putting an opponent out of action, and he had Nicol sick once or twice.

A tribute to the sporting manner in which both boys fought was paid by Mr Poupard, who expressed the opinion that any association would be satisfied with a return match. Reeves’s trainer, Mr Allison, informed Mr Poupard that they would ie going to Australia in the near future, and it will be agreed that Reeves is wise, as it h no use continually giving away weight to get fights. BILLY AITKEH'S INTENTIONS AFTER LIGHT-WEIGHT TITLE TTport his return to Wellington W. Aitken, the New Zealand featherweight champion, informed my Wellington correspondent that he intended going after Jack Jarvis’s light-weight title, and, moreover, was quite confident of annexing the crown. Billy is certainly the present featherweight champion, but before, he goes after Jarvis he might be wise to accept a return match with Rayner just to convince those sceptics that there was no fluke about the recent k.o. victory. This writer is satisfied that Aitken can repeat the performance, and a return match would certainly be a good attraction. HERE AND THERE Ralph Aitken, who beat Charlie Buckley on a technical knockout here a few weeks ago, has been challenged by “ Gerry ” Joyce, who once lost a very close bout to Billy Aitken in the 1934 Wellington amateur championships. Since then Joyce has turned professional, and' registered some wins in the Sydney preliminary ranks. Both Joyce and Ralph Aitken are hard righthand punchers, and very aggressive. They would provide a good 10-rounder. Ray Nicol, who lost his light-heavy-weight title to Harold Reeves the other day, told my Wellington correspondent

that he was keen to meet Reeves again. He added that Harold was a good puncher.

“Jumbo” Jacobs is quite definite that he can make the middle-weight limit with ease, and would jump at a tilt with Maurice O’Brien for the title, Little has been heard of O’Brien tor months.

At Miami Beach, Florida (U.S.A.), Joe Knight, the crack southern light-heavy-weight, floored one “Jack Krauz ” six times before the rcleree, nnr own Tom ileeney, stopped tho farce. The result went over the country, and the next day a 'Jack Krona wired Florida officials that the Kranz that Knight stopped.was an imposter. This statement was reaffirmed by th( Illinois Boxing Commission, as the real Kranz was at work there.

Fete Sarron drew with “ Red ” Guggino early in December over U) rounds. The decision was well received by a huge crowd. The bout was the main attraction of the 'Christmas Stocking Fund Boxing Show, promoted by “ Denny ” Dennis, the sports editor of the Miami ‘ Herald.’

Barney Ross is to have £B,OOO as_his share for meeting Jac*k Carroll at Sydney next summer if there are no hitches in Mr Charles Lucas’s arrangements. Ross’s welter-weight title will he at stake, and having regard to the number of first-rate American fighters that Carroll has disposed of be cannot he lightly regarded. Ross is a real fighting 'champion, and at one stage held the world’s light-weight and wel-ter-weight championships at the same time.

The annual meeting of tho Otago Boxing Association will be held next mouth, and it will not he long before signs of activity are being shown by the amateurs. In view of tho number of professional contests it is hopecT to stage this year, the association might be well advised to make an early start ■with its amateur tournaments to sort out some good boys for the preliminaries.

Mr Jim Morris, the ex-New Zealand champion, has been one of the best supporters the 0.8. A. has had for its amateur tournaments, and almost invariably he has brought good teams from Milton to take part, “ Fairley ” is one of the best instructors in the Dominion, and it is good to know that he will he reopening his classes in South Otago shortly.