PROMISING DISPLAYS AT NELSON CREEK— Another Leckie On The Boxing Horizon

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1950, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROMISING DISPLAYS AT NELSON CREEK— Another Leckie On The Boxing Horizon

At least one strong contender for a New Zealand boxing title , when the ’championships are held at Greymouth 'in three months’ time, was seen in [action at the .tournament at Nelson Creek on Saturday evening. He is 16-year-old B. Leckie, whose fourminute appearance in the ring led older West Coast boxing fans in the audience to revive memories of his champion relative, Johnny Leckie, who, in style, this latest member of a famous Otago boxing family, so closely resembles. Veteran Dunedin trainer, Archie Leckie, who is a grand-uncle of young Leckie, rates the youngster’sability very highly, and has hopes of his earning an Otago title this year so that he can represent the province 'at the national championships. ’ Few of those who saw Leckie dispose of the rugged Cobden boxer, C. Curtis, last week, would be prepared to wager against his non-inclu-sion in the Otago team. Different Styles

Leckie’s opponent, Curtis is a rugged hard-hitting type of boxer, who represented West Coast at the national championships at Auckland last year. His style was in direct contrast to that of Leckie, but the Dunedin boxer’s task was made easier by the fact that Curtis had not fully recovered from the effects of a cold and his movements were comparatively sluggish. While it was obvious by the end of the first round that Curtis was

going to receive a boxing lesson from the diminutive Leckie there were few who thought that the frail-looking “flashy” boxer would be capable of delivering a knock-down blow within a minute of the opening of the second round. But the end came without warning. Curtis was using his greater strength to force the quick-hitting, elusive Leckie backwards, but suddenly Leckie sprung off the ropes, slack though they were, and delivered a perfect right hand blow to the I jaw. Confident of its power, he stood back to watch Curtis crumple and fall. It was a tribute to Curtis’s endurance and gameness that he refused to allow himself to be counted out,

but groped his way back to the attack. When another blow sent him down, referee Croft raised the Dunedin boy’s hand. “Fight On” Or Not? There were some who contended that Curtis should not have been allowed to fight on after the. first knock-down, but it must be pointed out that Curtis has already fought in national championship class and is a noted knock-out puncher. In the circumstances, he may have been able to carry on, and even reverse the position, While Leckie was the star of the tournament, the two other Dunedin boxers looked like craftsmen. K. McCoombe was unlucky to drop a decision to V. Tuck, who lacks the speed and robustness of his brother M. Tuck. It is difficult, in spite of their better than average displays to see either of these boxers as finalists at the New Zealand championships.

Eder Impressive

B. Parkinson may have also left a favourable impression had he not met such a tough customer as Basil Eder, of Brunner. Eder, perhaps, has never looked so impressive on the West Coast, though he gave an outstanding display when he fought his way through a hard semi-final and an even harder final to be runner-up in ihis division at the national championships a few seasons ago. Eder seems to hold West Coast’s best chances for a 1950 title. The quick Parkinson was obviously worried by the sting in Eder’s punches, and he found it extremely difficult in spite of good footwork to hit Eder without stopping one too. He had received a battering when the referee called a halt to the proceedings.

While Eder’s performance was most encouraging, it seemed he might have been called upon to spend even less time in the ring, had he been able to use a left hook to the body. Parkinson, moving away as fast as possible from Eder’s right hand, seemed to be remarkably open to a body-hook with the left hand.

Heavyweight

While, perhaps, his performance against the less than fit J. Kirwan, cannot be taken as a criterion* the West Coast might have a definite heavyweight prospect in S. Lewis, of Reefton. Overcome and downed by Kirwan’s whirlwind opening he soon reversed the position to nave the Ngahere man at his mercy, though . he was unable to deliver a knock-out blow. Over-eagerness was respon-

sible for this, and a bout, between Lewis and the- Nelson Creek heavyweight, T. Jolly, would allow a more accurate estimate to be made. Even average heavyweights are hard to come by these days. (. / Of distinct promise also, though it is doubtful 6 whether either will be able to obtain the necessary experience in time to enable them to have winning prospects next September are J. Wilson of Reefton, and J. Dalgleish, of Arahura. Both are members of the orthodox straight up-and-down school, but remain cool under fire. Dalgleish seems the better longterm prospect, but is yet, little more than a novice. Splendidly built, he is in the unfortunate position as a youth to have to obtain his experience against men. Powerful straight punching is his main asset, but he will have to learn to do his share of the leading, and also to recognise and seize his opportunities. Several times last Saturday, heavy, telling blows seemed to leave his opponent, one of the three Nolans, who travelled from Wataroa, wide open, but Dalgleish refused to go in, and, Nolan, given a well-needed respite, was even called upon to do the leading again.

Wants Good Opponents

Wilson, distinctly promising, is being given little chance to improve as • a result of being matched with T. Dillon, of Blackball. Wilson wants experience with good-class boxers, who will make him move. Wilson has a lot of faults which need to be ironed out. With an experienced opponent, he will have to be careful. He has a habit now of ducking occasionally without need apparently from habit —and becomes an easy target for anyone matching him closely. It is better to be ducking a punch than ducking into one. Amongst the raw recruits who took the ring last Saturday there seemed to be plenty of latent natural ability, while the enthusiasm and skill of the younger lads, headed by the stylish G. Finlay, contradict the view that boxing is a dying sport on the West Coast. The authorities were certainly given support at the tournament to keep on arranging bouts for the local boxers, and if fare similar to that of last Saturday, can be provided, continuous financial success is assured.