FISTIC FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 5

FISTIC FLASHES

” IRON MAH " HOUGH LOVES FIGHTING Once upon a time there was a boxer who said that money didn’t matter. . . . And if you think that is the beginning of one of Grimm’s fairy tales, you’re wrong. Because I met the boxer yesterday—and he told-me so, writes the ‘ Southland Times ’ London Boxing critic on January 13. Frank “ Iron Man ” Hough, who fought Hans Lazek, of Austria, in a heavy-weight bout at the National Sporting Club last week, has emerged from obscurity to the limelight in one night. “ Say that again,” I demanded, when he made his remark about money. “ Sure,” said Mr Hough. . “ Money doesn’t mean a thing to me. I love fighting. I’d fight for a packet of peanuts if there was nothing else in it.” _ “ Not me,” I told him, eyeing his big fists. To me they looked like twin lumps of granite, and several professional fighting men who have had the misfortune to find themselves in the same ring with Frank say they feel like that, too! Appropriately enough, you pronounce the Hough to rhyme with tough—and that very adequately describes the “ Iron Man.” MOCKED MAX! Max Baer gave him that title when Frank acted as sparring partner for America’s playboy. _ “ I was third on Max’s list of sparring partners in his daily work-out,” Frank told me. “He used to knock the first couple of boys out and then it was my turn. “ Max used to come after me going all out, and in the middle of the round I used to ‘ kid ’ him. I’d put up my hands and yell, ‘ Stop I’ Then I’d say, ‘ Listen, Maxie. Why don’t you really hit me?’.

“ He was nearly 4st heavier than me; but he could not hurt me. That’s why he called me the ‘ Iron Man.’ ” Hough, who began fighting in his Army days, when he had an argument with the regimental champion and knocked him out, has never taken the count in his career. He became cruiser-weight of the Army—and then turned professional because there was no one else to beat. Since 1934 Hough has had more than 200 contests—fighting twice a week, because he believes that is the best way to keep fit. ALL IN A ROW. He once had 11 fights in 16 days, and lie says that was the happiest fortnight in his life! _ He never asks his manager how much he is to get. So long as there is a fight for him he is content. In his early days Hough earned a £lO note for his appearances in the ring. Then, when he became a popular draw, he received £7OO for three fignts in Berlin. But he came back to ’ England and fought for £3O a few days later. Now he has definitely “ arrived.” Promoters all over the country are bidding for his services, and Frank is happy not because that means a lot of money, but a lot of fights. His chief ambition now is to have another “ crack ”. at Hans Lazek, and then a tilt at Jock M'Avoy’s light heavy-weight title.

LANGLEY’S PUPILS Two newcomers to W. Langley’s school who will be seen at the first novice tournament this _ year are C. M'Millan, a bantam-weight who impresses as a likely boxer, and B. Delargy, a very stylish fly-weight. 10. Preston is developing into a very rugged fighter, hitting very hard for a welter. Des. Lowe has improved a great deal since he fought in the last tournament for novices, and is keenly looking forward to the next one. Among the others in training at this gymnasium are Stan Jenkins, who spars daily with Frank La Hood, and is at the top of his form, and Dick Hanson, who has been training La Hood for his bout with the Southlander, Baker. Lex Greaney, amateur featherweight of Otago, has been in training for the past month. He has the intention of joining professional ranks shortly, and is willing to fight any feather-weight in the Dominion, in sixround (or more) bouts, N. Leckie, a son of Archie Leckie, has been taking his work-outs with Greaney in preparation for his bout with Newton, of Oamaru. He seems a likely contender for the Otago bantamweight' championship this year. He hits as hard as ever, while his footwork has improved. NEW SCHOOL OPENING Preparations are under way for a new school to be opened in V. Pyster s gymnasium on Tuesday and Thursday evenings by Tommy Griffiths. An old hand at the fight game, Tommy thinks that there is room for a large number of schools in Dunedin* The sport is

having a revival of popularity, he says, and there is a great deal of good boxing material to work with. It is his intention to specialise in the scientific side of the game, and his pupils will be thoroughly versed in the fundamental principles of blows, while the reasons for them will be explained minutely. Tommy believes that unless the boys know why they are adopting definite tactics they will not use them to the greatest advantage.