BOXING

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1938, Page 6

BOXING

LONDON, January 13. The Boxing Board of Control have taken a bold stand in insisting on the observance of their authority (writes B. Bennison) and though the promoters have threatened defiance, even the National Sporting Club have been compelled to accept their ruling in regard to the cruiser-weight championship. The Club had made a match between Jock McAvoy,, the holder, and Frank Hough, who is known as the Boxing Hussar since he regularly fights once a week. It was difficult, however, to point to any form to justify the selection of Hough as a challenger, and the Board not only declined to bless the match as one for the title, but called upon Len Harvey instead. It would have been a curious position if the Club had persisted in carrying out their arrangements, especially in the improbable event of Hough winning. By the ruling of the Board, McAvoy would still have been champion. However, the Club evidently feel that the public would uphold the justice of the Board’s decision,, and the fight has been cancelled. McAvoy and Harvey have been given about three weeks in which to arrange their championship contest. Unless they do so within this time, it will be put up for promoters to make offers. The match will then go to the highest bidder. Harvey, however, hopes that ;his opponent will agree to the terms laid down by the Wembley Stadium syndicate. These terms are on the percentage system. The syndicate are Willing to allow ithe men to divide forty per cent, of a gate of £BOOO, and sixty per cent, of all takings over this amount. It is a fair arrangement, for though Harvey is a brilliant scientific fighter, there is not much colour in his boxing, and McAvoy has not always satisfied the public. « In the circumstances I am afraid the attedance may not be as big as the men believe.