BOXING

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 November 1944, Page 7

BOXING

NEW ZEALAND v. UNITED STATES (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC, Nov. 6. After being almost “out on his feet” from the effects of a terrific hammering in two rounds, Lionel Urquhart, of Ponsonby, Auckland, came back in the final round and literally battered his opponent to his knees to claim the most popular victory of the evening in the first of a series of boxing tournaments which has been initiated between American and Royal New Zealand Air Force units stationed on a Pacific island. Urquhart’s opponent was a rugged, powerfully-built coloured fighter,' Isaac Hoffler, from Westfield, New Jersey. The New Zealander’s recovery was sensational, and was greeted with sustained applause and cheering. Hoffler was so far ahead on points after two rounds that he had only to keep Urquhart at arm’s length to win He was not prepared for the tornado that hit him when he came out chewing gum in the final round. When the final gong sounded Hoffler was on his knees, and tired but victorious, the red-headed New Zealander stagged to his corner. Of the six bouts comprising the programme three were won by Americans and three by New Zealanders. Results: —

T. de Marco (Philadelphia) 1451 b beat D. Robinson (N.Z.) 1451 b on points. J. Hamilton (Philadelphia) 1291 b beat R. McLisky (Auckland) 1301 b on points. W. Craig (Blenheim) 1281 b beat H. Perry (New Orleans) 1271 b on points. R. D. Freeman (Hamilton) 1411 b beat A. McKenzie (Philadelphia) 1451 b on ppints. D. Herring (Dallas, Texas) 1721 b beat D. Shakespeare (Petone) 1701 b on points. L. Urquhart (Auckland) 1351 b beat I. Hoffler (Westfield, New Jersey) 1351 b on points. The referee was Corporal J. Speazel (United States), the judges being Father Flaherty and Corporal Hedstrom (United States) and Pilot Officer A. N. Rutledge, R.N.Z.A.F.

“NO CONTEST” INQUIRY WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. A committee of the Wellington Boxing Association at a meeting last night, presided over by Captain Bullany, inquired into the professional contest on Monday night between Jim Griffin (Wellington) and Clarrie Gordon (Auckland), which the referee (Phin Stone) declare<R*‘no contest” in the first round, aftei' he had counted Gordon out. Earlier in the day, statements had been taken separately from the parties concerned in the fight. The committee decided upon certain recommendations to the New Zealand Boxing Council, which will be considered at a special meeting of the Council this afternoon. GREY ASSN. MEETING. The Greymouth Boxing Association executive, last evening, decided to support a suggestion by the Cobden Home and School Association that a meeting be convened by the Boxing Association with a view to assisting boxing in schools. It was decided to purchase 12 sets of gloves from the New Zealand Association. The match committee reported that its efforts to arrange a professional contest for Labour week-end had been unsuccessful, but that arrangements had been made for a strong team of Ashburton amateurs to fight the best of the West Coast boys at Greymouth on November 17. Officials for the tournament were appointed as follow:— Referee, Mr. F. O’Neill; judges, Messrs F. Bell, N. Kiely and A. Beban; timekeepers, Messrs R. Hall and L. Rhodes; gong steward, Mr. H. Moore; announcer, Mr. J. McKeefry; glove and call stewards, Messrs J. Stokes, J. O’Donnell, J. Griffen and A. Beban, junr.; ring stewards, Messrs F. Costello and J. Beban; weights stewards, Messrs F. Denton and J. Griffen; official seconds, Messrs F. Munn and D. Mclvor; house manager, Mr. L. McGlashan. It was reported that requests for contests had' been received from P. Kelly, W. Parris, E. Underwood, J. McMullan and F. Southee. The applications were filed for reference. A letter was received from Johnny Summers (Lonsdale Belt winner) asking if there was an opening in Greymouth for a boxing school.—lt’ was decided to ask Mr. Summers for further particulars.