BOXING

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 13126, 24 March 1937, Page 6

BOXING

VISIT BY FAMOUS BOXER JOHNNY SUMMERS' IN GISBORNE LOOKING FOR A GOOD HEAVYWEIGHT INCIDENTS IN A GREAT CAREER Bearing many scars troni past battles in the ring, including both ears in the cauliflower style, and a misshapen nasal organ, Johnny Summers, the. famous' British boxer, and at one time a holder of the Lonsdale belt, has arrived in Gisborne to make a prolonged stay in the hope of unearthing a. heavyweight whom it would be worthwhile to take to England. ; . ' Johnny retired •from the Ting about ten. years ago .but ' has since had seven years ,bf' refereeing and has done a great deal of coaching. For liis years, he ; is still very active and has lost none of h’V zest for the “fistje art,” .

MACE STYLE THE BEST In conversation with a Times reporter yesterday, Johnny did not hide the fact that he regards the Mace style as .still the best that has ever been produced. Asked as to how ha would compare the American stylo with it, he looked rather puzzled, and at last offered the opinion that to-day there was no purely American type of fighting. Tunney, he pointed out, had been a disciple of Mace. The American system seemed to bo to hatter an opponent into insensibility whilst the Britisher finished off a, fight like an artist. The visitor went on to discuss' boxing of the past and of to-day. In particular, it might have been noted that he holds that Oar pen tier was one of the most heady fighters of all times. But he kept reverting to the fine champions, that had been produced i 1 ’ the British Isles. To-day there was Benny Lynch, the, 1 flyweight champion, of the world. In the other lighter classes there were J. King, the British, bantam champion, and John McGrory, the feather champion. It would, in (his opinion, nob ho worth while any New Zealand trying to oust any of them. The position m regard to the heavy men was different and there was no reason why a New Zealander should nob gain the British heavy crown. What was more a heavyweight fight coulcl be depended upon to draw the biggest “gate.”

PROMISING GISBORNE LAD Johnny could not be shifted in ugard to' the idea that Britain Avas the best country for an overseas fighter to settle in to make good. America, lie said, Avas experiencing a boxing slump and. consequently, a lot of American fighters Avere making ao'sits to England. He Avas not particular whether the protege he hoped to find in Ncav Zealand Avas a pakeha or a Maori. What a fine tiling it Avould be if he coukl discover a Nepia of the ring! He avssi certain that the fans at Home Avonld rush in thousands to see a Maori champion. During His short stay in Ncav Zealand ho had already conic across a very promising boy in Wellington—a lad of 17 named Allen—who. he understood, belonged to this district. Allen was at present a Avelter but would in a year lor tAVo rank as a heavy. What ho fiad liked about young Allen Avasi that he had absorbed every tip lie had given him.

TRIED OUT LES DARCY The visitor went on to describe his entry into boxing. As a lad he had gone to Australia and there he had received a good grounding into the “Noble Art” from Eddie McGoortie and others in various gymns. On returning Home, he had entored G novice class, and had had no difficulty in climbing up the ladder. On his return to Sydney some years later, a lad had been brought along to his gym for a try-out. The sponsor of the youth had invited him not to extend himself hut to feel the young fellow out thoroughly. Before the try-out had been long in progress., he had found it necessary to bring out every tool in his kit. What had amazed him was that no sooner had he tried some move than tf e young chap put it back over him. After the try-out he had enquired who his sparring partner had been and had been told that it was a young chap named Les l Darcy who had had a few fights in the Maitland district and was anxious' to take up boring! Johnny is to he given a welcome bv members of the GisH/Gfrne Boxing Association to-night and he can he assured of a flattering reception. It is his intention to begin classes herei after Easter.

NOTES AND NEWTS. Following Jim Braddock to Miami, representatives of the Madison Square Garden have .a court order requiring Braddock to show cause why lie should not he enjoined for fighting Joe Louis unless he meets Sell moling first. The process server is unable to find Braddock.—P.A.