HIGH SCHOOL BOXING

Evening Star, Issue 22804, 12 November 1937, Page 7

HIGH SCHOOL BOXING

M. J. PHELAN WINS CHAMPIONSHIP A high standard was shown in the animal boxing competitions of Otago Roys’ High School, which were held m the school gymnasium yesterday afternoon, the displays without exception being lively and interesting. _ No fewer than 280 boys are engaged in regular boxing classes at the school, and from these were those taking part in yesterday’s bouts. The ability shown by the majority or the contestants reflected great credit upon their instructor, Mr J. P. Northey, who is also to be complimented on the physical fitness of the competitors. The value of straight punching has undoubtedly been instilled in the boys by their instructor, and most of them punched very cleanly and with good judgment. There were some fast and willing contests, and particularly noticeable was the ’fine sporting spirit shown by the competitors. The school championship was won by M. J. Phelan, who proved himself a powerful body puncher, and outpointed A. S. Ferguson in a good mill, in which the loser offered stout resistance. One of the most promising boxers was T. A. Richards, winner of the 8.4 class, who used both hands effectively, showed plenty of variety in attack, and did not waste any punches. W. J. Barnes, the 7.5 winner, showed cleverness, and in the 9.9 class some particularly good hosing was provided, the winner of the final being 11. 13. Cameron, B. Ingram and G. F. Swan each gave bright displays in this division. E. C. Hay won the 10.9 class, after a solid mill with R. G. Cotton, both boys being hard punchers. Mr Northey was the referee, and Messrs R. W. S. Rotting and W. Lang were the judges. Results:— 7st 51b CLASS. —Final.— W. J. Barnes carried too many guns for J. F. Hunt, Barnes doing all the leading and connecting with a long left to the head. Barnes was the winner. Bst 41b CLASS. 11. M. Roy beat 11. G. Black in a fast and lively bout. The winner had an advantage in height and reach, and did most of the forcing, but Black was evasive, and used the ring well, also scoring with a good right to the head. Roy won a close decision. T. A. Richards gave a fast and clever display of two-handed boxing to outpoint A. M. Cassio in a willing set-to. Richards showed a good variety of punches, did not neglect the body work, arid moved out quickly. Cassie fought well against his aggressive opponent, but Richards won with something in hand. In a bout between two well-matched boys K. M. Gray beat J. L. Fleming. —Semi-final.— Forceful two-handed work by T. A. Richards gave him the verdict over R. M. Roy, the winner connecting with a particularly _ telling left hand to the head and bringing his'right over nicely. Roy scored with an occasional left, but was inclined to leave himself too open, Richards winning fairly comfortably. —Final.— T. A. Richards gave another solid display of two-handed punching in his bout with K. M. Gray, connecting frequently to the head and body, and forcing the fight all the way. Richards was a good winner. 9st 91b CLASS. Solid body punching by R. B. Cameron gave him the advantage over W. A. Mntimer, in a bout between a pair of two-handed boxers. Mutimer began well, but Cameron fought very strongly, his body work slowing Mutimer up, though the latter used a very nice right cross. Cameron the winner. G. F. Swan, beat 11. W. Pile in a lively bout in which both boys missed a good deal. B. Ingram gave a clever display of boxing to outpoint G. A. Patrick, this bout providing one of the best exhibitions of the tournament. Ingram used both hands in good straight work, and showed smart footwork. Patrick stood up to his man, and scored with his left but he did not follow up his advantage, Ingram winning a good contest. —Semi-final. — There was nothing to choose between G. F. Swan and B. Ingram, each giving a good display of two-handed work. Swan forced the fighting and introduced a little more variety into his attack than Ingram, Swan winning a close bout. —Final.— R. B. Cameron made use of bis advantage in height and reach and took the fighting to G. F. Swan, who made a very game showing against his rangier opponent. In a good mill Cameron gained the decision. lOst 91b CLASS. 11. G. Cotton beat R. T. Hunt in an evenly-contested bout. Cotton used both hands well to the head and a right to the body, but Hunt was always ready to mix it, though ho did not punch so cleanly or with such good judgment as Cotton, who gained the decision. E. C. Hay beat R. L. Baker, the winner forcing the fighting from the gong. Baker covered up well in the first round, but he tired in the later stages, and plying a good left, Hay had him on the move, Hay also connecting with a right _ swing. Baker scored with an occasional left, but Hay beat him to the punch and took the decision. K. W. Paterson beat R. D. Gillespie, the winner standing well up to his man and boxing very coolly. He used an effective straight left and won fairly comfortably, •—Semi-final.— R. G. Cotton beat K. W. Paterson. Both wore short with their punches in the first round, but Cotton forced the fighting over the last two rounds and scored with both hands to the body. Paterson did not make use of his reach, Cotton doing the cleaner work and securing the award. —Final.— R. G. Cotton and E. C. Hay staged some very torrid exchanges in a punishing bout, , the contestants both panelling hard and cleanly. Hay used both hands in telling straight work and did more of the leading, although Cotton plied his left hand very effectively. This was one of the best bouts of the afternoon. Hay securing the decision. SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP. The championship of the school between M. J. L. Phelan and A. S. Ferguson provided a solid and willing ‘encounter, but Phelan’s strong hitting to the body with either hand and his forcefulness gained him a well-earned verdict. Ferguson staged some good rallies, but his judgment of timing and distance was not so good as that of Phelan.