BOXING Amateurs Show Skill At Marist Tourney

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1948, Page 7

BOXING Amateurs Show Skill At Marist Tourney

After building up a line record in frequent bouts in other South Island centres this season, the leading West Coast amateur boxers made their first appearance at a “home” tournament for more than a year when they provided the principal bouts at the Marist Sports Organisation’s tournament at Columba Hall last evening. Considerable improvement was shown to have been made by the boxers since their last appearance in a Greymouth ring, and several may again be prominent in the New Zealand championships to be held at Dunedin next month. There was a good attendance at the tournament in spite of ,inclement weather, and in addition to 15 bouts between pupils of the Marist School, five bouts were staged. Considerable interest was centred m the display of J. Fogarty, a boxer with a pood record in England, and though

he showed evidence of skill, he enviously lacked fitness. His less experienced opponent, R. Wilson (12st 7Jb), of Brunner demonstrated his hitting power by putting Fogarty down for the full count in the third of a scheduled four-round exhibition bout. Though not “out" Fogarty had a glove on the mat when rising at the end oi the count. Outstanding Bout B. Eder, runner-up at the Dominion ' championships last year, and V. Tuck, who also fought for a national title, were matched in an outstanding bout in which Eder's aggressiveness was the deciding factor. Though Tuck showed good defence, Eder kept advancing ana °ave his quicker opponent few chances co show his skill. Eder won on points. M. Tuck (lOst 111 b) was after the first round clearly the superior of L. O’Brien (lOst 31b) who has done little fighting in the past year, and won by a knockout in the third round. O’Brien opened well and there was a good display ol clean hitting, but with better-timed punches, Tuck soon took the “sting" out of his opponent’s attack. Sent down for six in the second round, O’Brien was knocked out in the next. W. Hamilton Ost) marked his reappearance in the ring after a long absence by scoring a good victory over A. McPhie Ost 101 b) of Brunner, in four rounds. McPhie endeavoured to keep his opponent in close, but Hamilton, using a good variety of punches, soon gained the upper hand. School Championship D Kelly (12st) won the school chain-: pionship' when he scored a narrow points win over P. McManus (list 41b). Schoolboy bouts resulted as follows:— „ t K. Curtis. 4st. beat J. Davenport. 4st; G. Mundy, sst 71b, beat K. McCarthy, sst 91b; J. Rathbun beat B. Curtis, 7st 91b; P. Conaghan, 9st, beat P. O'Farrell, 9st; N. Kelly, 3st 71b. beat J. Sweetman, 3st 71b; G. Cooper, sst 61b. beat A. Williams, sst 41b; W. Rathbun, 7st, and R. Wildermoth, 7st, drew; F. Bell, 4st 21b. and M. Bowden, 4st 41b, drew; M. Scott, Bst 121 b, beat K. McGrath. Bst 121 b; L. Bell. 4st 101 b. beat D. Shannahan, 4st 101 b; F. Blanchfield, 4st, beat J Morris. 3st 131 b; C. Findlay, sst 41b, beat J. Skinner, sst 41b; J. Lynch. 7st, beat V. Wildermoth, 7st 51b; N. McAra, 4st 41b and G. Johnston. 4st 41b, drew; T. O’Mallev, sst 41b, beat B. Phillips, sst 61b. ‘ ■ Referees were Messrs N. Kiely and F. O’Neill,' and the judges Messrs F. Bell, J. Beban and F. Costello. Mr J. O’Donnell was announcer. Mr A. Beban. on behalf of the Boxing Association, congratulated the Marist Brothers on the outstanding exhibitions of boxing and in assisting the association in promoting contests in view of championships at Dunedin next month. Rev. Brother Maurice expressing thanks for the support accorded the tourney, said its spirit was the school spirit,. there being no trophies, but ' simply a desire on the part of the competitors to give of their best.