RINGSIDE TOPICS

Evening Star, Issue 23124, 25 November 1938, Page 5

RINGSIDE TOPICS

[By Hooker.]

LATEST FISTIC FLASHES

Lex Greauey scored a points win over Jack Hargreaves at Invercargill on Monday night, and, according to reports, Hargreaves has done a fair amount of his fighting; in Australia. He has had only one match in New Zealand, in which he drew with Kaliph Aitkcn. Greauey has not been very long in professional ranks, and since his defeat at the hands of “Tiger’ Mitchell has shown good form m other bouts, his display against the Filipino Dommy Ganzon winning him a lot of praise. Greaney told the writer on his return from Invercargill that he would be prepared to meet any featherweight in the Dominion, and was very anxious to be given a chance at the feather-weight title. Ted Turner, 2KY boxing commentator, appeared in the role of announcer at the Riehards-Lesnevich scrap. Eddie Borden stated that Turner could give some of the famous American announcers points in the art of telling the crowd what’s what. Turner's references to the late Merv Blandou struck a new note in Australian ring history. The eulogy of the famous boxer was most impressive. Members of the New Zealand team at the British Empire Games have the kindliest remembrances of Ted Turner, who did a good deal to assure the enjoyment of members of the team. As a commentator on boxing the ex-Wel-Hngtonian has few equals, and the big “ break ” that has come his way will be pleasant news to his many friends on this side of the Tasman. Janies J. Braddock, the former world’s champion boxer, is thinking seriously of attempting another “ come-back.” It is said that Braddock has lost in a restaurant venture what he made from his bout with Joe Louis for the heavy-weight title. Braddock has already broken the “ no comeback ” law of Nature. He was working on relief when he got the chance that led to his winning the world title. As champion he made money, but lost it quickly, and a little over 12 months ago he began a second “ come-back ” that led to a victory over Max Baer and a title light against Louis, with the negro knocking him out after he had made one of the gamest fights in the history of the ring. Braddock is 35 and well liked by all in the sport. None of his friends want to be faced with the possibility of having to knock him badly about to beat him. Transvaal National Sporting Club has applied to the British Boxing Board I for permission to stage an Empire fea-ther-weight championship between the winner of the Benny Caplan-Spider Kelly bout and Alec Hannan, who recently beat Dave Burger for ' the S.A. feather-weight title. Max Baer, former world’s heavy-' weight champion, refereeing a mat bout at San Diego, floored Ivan Rasputin for 10 when that wrestler physically protested Baer’s decision of the deciding fall to Gus Sonnenberg. According to 'American reports, Len Harvey was to embark on an American tour this month. He is to be nominated for a title match with John Henry Lewis, world light-heavy-weight champion. Harvey, a veteran of 400 bouts, has been beaten only nine times. Two years ago Lewis outpointed him in London. At the moment Len is campaigning for the British heavy-weight championship recently relinquished by Tommy Farr. Lewis, the present light-heavy-weight titleholder, is only 24 years of age, yet is considered a ring veteran. Lewis was just about born in a gymnasium. Lewis’s father ran a gymnasium, and Lewis is said to have played with boxing gloves instead of toys. John Henry Lewis turned professional when he was only 16, and a year later beat Maxie Rosenbloom at San Francisco. He was only 21 when he defeated Bob Olin to win the light-heavy-weight crown. Al Hostak, recognised in most parts of the United States as the world middle-weight champion, has been fighting professionally for live years. He has had 72 fights, winning the last 17 by knockouts. Fidel La Barba, former fly-weight champion of the world, celebrated his 33rd birthday last month. He is now a successful scenario writer at 20th Century-Fox films, and is working on a new Shirley Temple choice, a story of the famous Canadian mounted police. According to the ‘ Knockout, Danny LaVerne, probably the most under-rated fighter in California, has been signed for four fights in Australia. He is a Porto Ricau-Mexican lad, who graduated two years ago out of the amateurs with four titles. He turned professional in July, 1936, and has wins over Joe Mendiola, Speedy Dado. Pablo Dnno, Chick Delaney, Kayo Lefton, and Al Uagone. This is what the ‘ Knockout ’ has to sav about him ; “ He fights on the style or Armstrong, and we predict this kid will lick everything in sight in Australia. If anyone near his weight boats him over there, the first Australian reader to tell me about it will receive a subscription gratis.”