BOXING

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 August 1929, Page 7

BOXING

WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS. Meeting in the ring at the Greymouth Town Hall on Saturday evening, West Coast amateur boxers' fought out the district championships, with a view to the honour of inclusion in the West Coast team to compete at the Dominion championships, to be held at Greymouth this month. The stage and circle were filled with spectators, and the body of the hall was fairly well patronised. After a rather late start, little time was lost, and the tournament concluded just before ten o’clock. As the President of the Greymouth Association, Mr A. Behan, explained, some of the boxers who nominated could not compete, .influenza and overweight knocking them out of the running. Sufficient were left, however, to ensure a satisfying evening’s entertainment. Mr Behan announced that it was intended to provide accommodation for another hundred spectators on the stage, before the Dominion championships opened, and he appealed to members of the Association to give preference of stage seats to visiting boxers, trainers, and delegates, estimated to total 150. The membership of the Greymouth Association was now 90. Messrs Behan and F. O’Neill acted as referees during the evening, while Mr T. F. Savage did his best to knock music out of an ancient piano, between bouts.

Following are the results of the various contests: —

FLYWEIGHTS.

S. Purton, 7.9, Waiuta, defeated J. Atkinson, 7.4, Hokitika. In addition to giving away weight, Atkinson was also giving away about ten years’ experience. He fought pluckily, but was outclassed, Purton connecting at will. In the second round, Purton recognised his superiority, and slowed up somewhat, while there were shouts from the crowd, “Call it off!” The referee could have exercised his discretion, and no one would have objected, but he allowed the ill-matched boys to continue until he received a nod from Atkinson’s second. Atkinson, who is only a schoolboy, was unlucky to meet the clever Purton, but ho showed much gameness and not a little ability. Referee Mr O’Neill.

BANTAMS.

M. Howson, 8.2, Greymoutli, defeated N. Rowe, 7.13, Hokitika. One of the most willing bouts of the evening, the boys going at it hammer and tongs. How’son had the better of the first round, but in the second Rowe evened up matters with some good straight lefts. The pace was maintained in the third round, and Howson was somewhat lucky to secure the decision, there being some dissent. Referee, Mr Behan. Final: Howson defeated J. Rooney, 8.0, Greymouth. The first round was fairly even, Rooney landing lefts to the jaw, while Howson retaliated with good rights. Howson made the pace in the second, and gave Rooney no opportunity to stand off and box. He continued these tactics in the third, and Rooney hung on like a limpet. The referee cautioned him thrice for holding, and then gave the decision to Howson, just before the bell rang. Referee, Mr Beban.

FEATHERWEIGHTS.

S. Dudley, 8.13, Dobson, defeated D. Richardson, 8.13, Greymouth. Wild cats were not in it with the boys in the first round, but Richardson had a bad habit of holding with his left, being cautioned twice. Dudley, who was trained to the minute, kept up a whirlwind pace throughout, beating Richardson to the punch, and giving him no chance to box. -Richardson made his man miss a good deal in the third, but Dudley was streets ahead, on points, and the decision in his favour was very popular. Referee, Mr O’Neill.

LIGHTWEIGHTS.

R. Wright, 9.11, Hokitika, defeated R, Steele, 9.8, Greymouth. The Greymouth boy made the pace, but Wright had a better style, and his blows landed evenly. Steele evened up matters in the second by his aggressiveness, although Wright connected solidly with a loft to the jaw. Boxing nicely in the third, Wright earned the decision. Referee, Mr Beban. Final: Wright defeated Ferguson, 9.13, Hokitika. Wright quickly demonstrated his superiority, and Ferguson was down for two in the first round. Wright again took most points in the second, his greater experience standing him in good stead, although Ferguson fought back well. Both mixed it in the third, the crowd being excited, but Wright was well ahead on points, and got the decision. Referee, Mr O'Neill.

WELTERS.

C. Mollit, 10.6, Greymouth, defeated C. Moore, 10.6, Greymouth. Previous meetings made the pair respect each other, and there was little doing in the first round, while the remaining two sessions were not much better, the bout being uninteresting. Wrestling marred the last round, and both were cautioned not to hold. There was scarcely one good punch in the three rounds. Moffit got the decision. Referee, Mr Behan. Final: .1. Moynihan, 10.9, Runanga, defeated Moffit. The Runanga boxer was much the quicker, and landed twice to Moffit’s once. He used both hands well, and did most of the leading, there being no doubt about the decision in his favour. Moffit’s remark, “Good luck, Jack!” was an instance of Iho good sportsmanship typical of every bout. Referee, Mr Behan. MIDDLEWEIGHTS. 11. Lister, 11.2, Greymouth, defeated W. Wildermoth, 11.3, Waiuta. The comedy stance adopted by Wildermoth caused much amusement, and he appeared to enjoy the fun as much as anyone. He had an advantage m reach, and his only blow seemed to be a propper-out left. Lister was out for business, and connected well with both hands. Apparently realising that he had no chance, Wildermoth smilingly called a halt in the second round. Referee, Mr Beban. T. Croft, 11.3, Stillwater, defeated S. Ramsden, 11.3, Waiuta. The Stillwater boy took most of the points in the first, although he made a good many holes in the atmosphere with wild swings. He connected better in the second, and repeated the dose in Ihe third, to receive a popular decision. Referee, Mr Beban. Lister defeated G. Croft, 11.3, Stillwater. The bout was willing all the way. Croft took the first, but Lister had the better of the second and third, and the decision in his favour was well received. Referee, Mr Bohan.

Final: T. Croft defeated Lister.

Longer reach proved a big advantage to Croft, and he connected with heavy right and left swings to the face and head. Lister proved a great shock-absorber, and took all that Croft could give him. The latter was clearly ahead on points at the last gong, and there could be only one decision. Referee, Mr Beban. The most unlucky boxer of the evening was Lister, who had to contest three bouts. It would be interesting to see him in the ring again with T, Croft, and both boys fresh. LIGHT-HEAVIES. G Ellery, 11.13, Stillwater, defeated R. Gilsennan, 11.11, Reefton. The poorest exhibition of the evening, both appearing to bo under Hie mistaken impression’ Hint they were wrestlers instead of boxers. . They werb cautioned for holding in the first -round, but it had no effect. Ellery was a shado .the better, and received the. decision. Referee, Mr Beban. ■ HOOD DEFEATS WAX. LONDON, August 4. Jack Hood, British wejt.er champion, outpointed the Australian, Leo Wax, at West Bromwich. . t v