BOXING

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1945, Page 6

BOXING

There is something pathetic in the thought of old-timers, especially, those who have severed their connection with the fight game for a number of years, in trying to make a come-back against younger and fitter fighters. In his recent bout with the European heavyweight, Luipi Musina, at Milan, Primo Camera found that he just could not make the grade, the ex-world champion was outclassed by his opponent, and "was downed twice in the first round. Camera who is now 39 years of age, wrested the world’s championship from Jack Sharkey in 1933. but lost ' it the following year to Max Baer. At his prime the Italian giant stood 6ft. lOins., and weighed 18st. lOlbs., the heaviest holder of the title. The next to him - was Jess 1 Willard who - stood 6ft. 7ins., and weighed 18st. 61bs. Camera headed the list in the numbers of knock-outs scored by world champs, having 65 victories credited to him by this manner. Next came one of the most popular boxers of all time, Jack Dempsey, with 48 k.c.’s. <?> <t> <s> <s> Boxing in Greymouth looks as if it has drawn to a close for the season, no fights being scheduled for the immediate future. On Jhe advice of his trainer, Norman Ross, who is still resting his hand, is to leave after Christmas for Wellington, where it is expected he will find suitable sparring partners. He has received an offer from the Otago Boxing Association to open the 1946 season in Dunedin with a 12-round contest against Henry Robertson (who recently gained a decision over O’Keefe at Invercargill), for a purse of £l5O. The date, if Ross accepts, is set down for March 4. There is a stipulation that Ross would have to make list 61b, as Robertson fights at lOst 121 b. The Otago Association has also tendered an invitation for a West Coast amateur team to fight in the preliminaries. <s><♦><>><s><» <?> George Muir has turned down a further offer of a fight with Don Mullett at Wellington on the grounds that the purse offered is insufficiently large. .. . . There is a possibility that Vic Patrick, the Australian light and welterweight champion, will meet Bos Murphy in an onen air bout at Palmerston North for a purse of £lO9O. ..This is the largest purse offered in New Zealand for many years, and the bout will probably take place on New Year’s Day. Patrick, who has a long list of victories to his credit this season is a southpaw, and should . prove a difficult opponent for Murphy. Murphy is still a comparatively young fighter, and will have everything to gain and nothing to lose by this contest.