BOXING American Offer to Murphy

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1946, Page 4

BOXING American Offer to Murphy

Purchase of Contract Proposed A definite offer to purchase Bos Murphy’s contract has been received from America, writes W.. Ingram in the Southern Cross. The offer came in a letter from George Barton, chairman of the Minnesota State Athletic Commission, and sports editor of the Minneapolis Tribune, to Walter Miller, well-known for his association with wrestling. The person willing to buy the contract is Ernie Fliegel, formerly associated with King Tut and Frakie Battaglia, both well-performed boxers. After seeing Murphy in action against Vic Patrick, Walter .Miller wrote to George Barton praising the capabilities of the New Zealander. In his weekly sports feature, Barton discussed Miller’s .letter as follows:— •World Champion Prospect “Walter Miller, former St. Paul wrestler, writes from Wellington, he saw a fighter over there who might be developed into a world champion and a big money-maker, under the guidance of a smart American man- & “MiHer waxed enthusiastic after seeing Bos Murphy defeat Vic Patrick of Australia in a 12-round bout for the Australian welterweight championship. , “Patrick by the way, was rated by Australian sports writers as the greatest fighter that country developed since the late Les Daicy. Patrick won 43 fights in 49 starts by knockouts prior to dropping a decision to Murphy. . “ ‘Bos Murphy of New Zealand is ?. the best fighter of his pounds I have seen since Mike Gibbons. He has everything it takes to be a great fighter—exceptional cleverness, speed and a terrific puncher with both fists. Murphy is smart, strong and dead game. Murphy has a physique remindful of Bob Fitzsimmons. He is 5 feet lU inches tall, with big shoulders, beautifully muscled body and slender, but very strong legs. He is only 21. “ ‘I honestly believe Murphy would be a sensation in America and might win the middleweight and light heavyweight championships over there because he is bound to take on more weight in a year or two. Big Fights Likely In a personal letter to Miller, Barton pointed out that Fliegel is a responsible business man, well respected in boxing and business circles. He is prepared to buy Murphy’s contract and pit him against selected opponents in Minneapolis, where the average gate for ring contests ranges from 40,000. dollars to 60,000 dollars. The stadium at Minneapolis seats 10,000 spectators and the recent title match between Willie Pep and Jackie Graves sold out five days before the contest. Barton also pointed out that there is a strong Irish population in St. Paul, only 10 miles away, and says that Murphy, “if he can stand up,” will make a lot ot money. Of particular interest to New Zealand is the fact that a leading businessman and boxing manager is prepared to buy Murphy’s contract. Incidentally, Murphy’s contract to a manager in Australia will shortly expire. He had signed to give, a percentage of his Australian ring earnings to this manager but, as he did not go to Australia, the contract was of no value. Walter Miller said he would communicate with Percy Galvin, Murphy’s New Zealand manager, and would report back to Fliegel if terms can be arranged. It is not likely, however, that a full interest in Murphy’s contract would be sold. Murphy is still waiting for further information from the English promoter, Jack Solomons, who had enquired if the New Zealander was interested in a British Empire title match against Ernie Roderick. Murphy said he was and asked the terms. Nothing has been heard since. . x ~ Bos Murphy will be boxing at the Greymouth Town Hall on Saturday night, having been matched with Bobby Clarke, the Australian middleweight. Australian Knocks Out Dornan (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. ' Roy Dunn (Australia) made an • auspicious first appearance m the New Zealand boxing ring at the Wellington Town Hall to-night by knocking out Noel Dornan (Napier) in the second round of a professional middleweight contest scheduled for 10 rounds. Dunn took the offensive right from the opening gong. In the ... second round Dornan was twice down for a count of nine before Dunn, with a right cross, dropped him. Caltaux Outclasses Tommy Downes (P.A.) HASTINGS, Sept. 16. After having sent his man to the mat half a dozen times, Vic Caltaux (Auckland) was awarded the decision on a technical knock-out in a professional boxing contest against Tommy Downes (Palmerston North) in Hastings this evening. They were badly matched, Downes being taller, and possessing a longer reach, but Caltaux repeatedly got under his guard to hammer at the body, ine contest was stopped in the fourth round, and except for the first, Downes had taken a count of nine in all the others. The referee stopped the contest when Downes made his sixth fall to the mat in the fourth round.