BOXING NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5542, 26 July 1920, Page 7

BOXING NEWS

WHAT OF THE POVERTY BAY AMATEUR "REPS " WEAK DISPLAYS AT THE KECEN T TO PENEY. DES LAWLESS EASILY THE PICK OF THE BENCH. (By Old ’L'u.) The most surprising feature of the amateur contests at the recent tourney was the poor showing made- by the lads who have been chosen to represent Poverty Bay at the New Zealand Championships. Mahoney, the- bantam “rep," is capable of better thr-ngs. In Cro-s----kerry he had unquestionably a very tough opponent capable off taking a Lot of hard knocks without losing his smile . Mahoney seemed to overlook the fact that the only way to keep such a customer off is to hit him—and hit him. solidly. If Mahonev had connected with more off his blows in the early stages of the battle matters would assuredly Save been very different. As it was he simply encouraged Croskerry to bore in and another trouble with Mahouey —lack of condition—then canto into evidence. Mahoney is fairly cap-' able if net very effective with both hands but he requires to learn the value off having a good reach. If he

had known how to- tackle Croskerry he could have made no race off the contest. In the "feather'' class BardsweU, who met A. R. Smith aud lost, was distinctly off color. Probably he had got staliT on account of his numerous sets-to in the previous fortnight with the "big guns." His trouble was that he was out ci range- far too often when he was hitting. If he were to go. in for a little more straight- hitting instead of so much risky and ineffective swinging he would do a lot better.. Smith had the advantage of good advice and though ho (.itd not do much good in the initial, round he improved appreciably as he went along. Before the season closes he should do a great deal better. .The match between Rickards ru! McKay was interesting m that it revealed the fact tint whilst toe termer has gone back the latter has made great strides. With his physical advantages Rickards should have won easily but, as it was. he goc through onlv by the skirt of ids teeth. When

he gets down to Hastings he will learn that dropping the left so far down does not pay ; ic is utter Foolishness. His defence generally was far from perfect. McKay is still a little wild in his hitting, but he has given up most of what- was worst about his earlier style. He bus yet to get a proper idea of when he i< is within range. More often than not he is too far away when lie essays a blow. The alleged boxing match between J Smith and O’Connell would have been a glove "tight" if the contestants had done more 'rutting and less “nosing.” It was reminiscent of a school-boy row. From the outset both seemed determined to knocs the other out if he would let him. And eventually, after a lot of byplay, O’Connell contrived to get his chin well in the line of tire—at the i right time for Smith. The authorities ; should not encourage contests of that ■ particular character. J. Smith is not | making the trip to Hastings so that; the best hope of the P.B- team is clearly Dos Lawless who. if ho can get into proper form—which is a matter of doubt—ought to acquit himself creditably. j

A TIP FOR LES 0 LEES ON. “GET TO WORK AND RED FOE WEIGHT.” As has already been pointed out in this journal the huge gathering got its money’s worth in connection with tlie Olabby-G leeson clash in the fine display of science put forward by Clubby and the grit and courage shown under such adverse circumstances by Gleeson. Clubby was of course, good right through and super-excellent in the last two rounds. He proved himself to bo clever with both hands and his footwork was as neat and as effective as his glove-work. Gleeson was conspicuous mainly for the splendid manner in which he stood up to his “gruel” and for the non-success of ids hefty right which to a boxer of Glabby’s calibre proved a trifle too slow. it is quite certain that Gleeson would have done much better if lie had taken care not fo allow his weight to increase to such an excessive extent. What flashed through Old 'Hu’s mind during the clash wnS that on the occasion of Clubby’s first match in this Dominion with Jack Heeney, his opponent did exceedingly well' in standing up to him for so, many rounds, for the Jack Heeney of last year was not the greatly improved Jack Heenev of 1920. It is also safe to say that- next month when Gleeson again meets the local lad he vdl find himself up against a much more difficult proposition than •he had to deal with on the previous occasion. Gleeson should take the hint because if lie does not appear to better advantage against Heeney than he did when he confronted dabby ho will not find himself in much demand for other matches for substantial puuses in this Dominion.