AMATEUR BOXING

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 4

AMATEUR BOXING

ENGLAND WINS GOLDEN GLOVES LONDON, May G. It is to be hoped that none of our professional boxers made the mistake of going to Wembley last night, when the amateur boxers of Britain once more vanquished the “Golden Gloves” team from America by seven events to four. Had the professionals done so they would have sustained a shock that might have unfitted them even for the 15-round reveries that masquerade these days as prize fights. This is what they would have seen: An arena packed to the roof, three hours of glorious spirited fighting, an evening unmarred by one incident of bad sportsmanship either by the competitors or the spectators. And this is what they would have heard: —

Thirty minutes of sustained cheering as America gallantly tried to save the day. and absolute pandemonium when Stuart of the London Fire Brigade punched his opponent all over the ring to make certain of a British victory. At first it looked as if the British team would repeat their success in New York'last year, and win a onesided victory. After losing the first bout they annexed the next five in a row,*, in spite of the gallant efforts of Vincent Pimpinella, who has heart enough to win any championship. But then the scene changed. Literally, it darkened.

Willy Skinner, a study in chocolate, entered the ring. Like so many negro fighters, his arms seemed to be made of elastic, and in the last round he stung his opponent’s jaw almost at will.

Encouraged by this, another coloured fighter, George Brothers, had a glorious set-to with T. J. Griffen, a good-looking lad whose fiery attack nearly won the fight-—but, what is better, won him the cheers of everyone there. With the score 5 to 3, the Americans sent in their college-educated Adonis. Philip Ragozzino, who , exchanged blows ‘with A. Shawyer, another member of the London Fire Brigade, at a speed that brought the crowd to their feet. There was no defence on either side. There was no time for any. The men were too busy applying sanctions to each other.

Again the Americans scored, and the count was five to four. Then into the ring stepped a massive negro, Jim Howell, whose job in America is that of a porter. From the way he pushed h'is gallant fireman opponent around the ring. it is obvious that Mr. Howell disdains any luggage lighter than a steamer trunk. He leaned on Stuart, he struck him amidships, in the ribs, on the jaw and on the nose.

But Stuart would not be denied. The honour of England and the London Fire Brigade was at stake. With all the artistry, of his profession he. kept up a shower of blows, and practically put him out at the end. Thus was the championship ensured for Great Britain; and the subsequent victory was not really needed. Over 10,000 people were present, and the receipts were believed to be between £4,000 and £5,000, both these figures being a record for amateur boxing in this country. The enthusiasm of the spectators left no doubt as to the tremendous popularity of the event. The roar was loud and incessant in bout after bout. Nearly every fight produced good, clean hitting. The visitors showed that American amateurs have been schooled as well as our own in the strict, rules of amateur boxing. There was little clinging, and no hitting on the break. They broke when they were told to and not a single punch during the night could be described as even doubtful. MATCH CONTESTS. Fly.—A. Russell (Rotherham Boys’ Welfare Club (G. 8. beat Joe Wall (U.S.A.) on points.. Bantam. —P. Scalzo (U.S.A.) beat A. Barnes (Cardiff Gas 8.C,) (G. 8. on points. L. Case (Darlington Railway Employees’ Gym.) (G. 8. beat George Coyle (U.S.A.) on points. Feather. —J. W. Treadaway (Battersea A.8.C.) (G. 8. beat Raymond Olivo (U.S.A.), who retired at the end of the first round.

Light.—F. J. Simpson (Battersea A. (G. 8. beat M. Cohn (U.S.A.) on points. Welter. —W. S. Pack (Polytechnic B. (G. 8. beat Vincent Pimpinella (U.S.A.) on points. Middle. —W. Skinner (U.S.A.) beat A. E. Harrington (Victoria, A. & N., A. A.) (G. 8. on points. LIGHT-HEAVY.—George Brothers (U.S.A.) beat T. J. Griffin (Polytechnic B.C. (G. 8. on points. Philip Ragozzino (U.S.A.) beat A, Shawyer (Old Goldsmiths’ B.C. and London Fire Brigade) (G. 8. on points. Heavy.—F. A. Stuart (London Fire Brigade) (G. 8. beat Jim Howell (U.S.A.) on points. R. Hunter (“A” Div. JVTet. Police (G. 8. beat Bill Schloeman (U.S.A.) in the second round. OTHER CONTESTS. Light.—G. Webster (St. Pancras B. (G. 8. beat A. McCann (U.S.A.) on points. Welter.—L.Cpl. G. Spears (2nd Dorsetshire Regiment) (G. 8. beat Murray Kravitz (U.S.A.) on points. Middle. —Bradley Lewis (U.S.A.) beat M. Dennis (Northampton Polytechnic 8.C.) (G. 8. bout stopped in first round.