BOXING

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 February 1925, Page 10

BOXING

A FIASCO. PARKER v. ROWE. . AUSTRALIAN’S POOR DISPLAY. in the worst exhibition of basing ever seen in Wellington, i-.ddie Putter, piofessional middle-weight boxing etium pion of iNew Zealand, was awarded the verdict over \'ic. Rowe, a much-boom-ed professional from Australia (says thel/„minion). Rowe snaped lute a veritable novice throughout, and alter Having been twice down in the second round, the referee . stopped the sorry spectacle midway- through the Guru round and awarded the contest to. I'arker. The crowd showed their disapproval of the Australian’s feeble show. mg. Much interest- attached to the contest, as this was the first- occasion lor boxing Association hacl matched two big men for a professional contest. Roth were making a first appearance in a Wellington ring, and a big crowd were present in anticipation ol seeing some iugn-class boxing, particularly as Rowe was reported in the official programme to nave got the decision in Australia over such well-known boxers as Albeit l.loyd and Jack Dnnstan. Both scaled list, (jib.”* Rowe had the advantage in height aiup reach, but the New Zealander was the more compactly built. They opened quietly, with' a little close work, Parker being warned for holding, and Rowe a little later for claiming. In the second round Parker got in some powerful blows, and also connected to the face with short-arm jabs in close. Rowe, who appeared ignorant oi even the most rudimentary rules ol defence, left himself very open and Parker landed at will, hut there was little steam behind his blows. A right swing to the side of the head sent the Australian down, and he took the count to 9. On resuming, Parker went at his man with a- will, but his blows weie badly directed and his judgment of distance was at fault. At last a- fusillade of both hands to the .head sent the Australian again to the mat-, and the count had gone to eight when the gong clashed. The third round was a sorry spectacle. There was only one man fighting, but he fought badly, and had not- enough steam behind his blows to knock the helpless Australian out, even when he hacl him at his mercy on the ropes. They roughed about in Rowe’s corner, the Australian doing his best to weather the storm by hanging on, and Parker assisting him by getting in close and hammering wildly at a not too skilful smother.. Twice Rowe went, clown, but. lie rose again to continue the ludicrous farce, the crowd hooting roundly the while. The undignified spectacle was ended by Referee Earl Stewart at last hoisting Parker’s right hand in signal of victory. The crowd very naturally were indignant, and vented their feelings in no uncertain tones. “It was the worst exhibition of boxing I have ever seen, was the referee’s comment after the contest.

It is impossible to account for the Australian’s 'lamentable showing. ' As far as could be seen from the Press table, there wts not one single blow struck during the three rounds which could have rattled either of the contestants. Parker lias the reputation of not possessing a punch, and he certainly did not disclose one last evening. Even when he Rinded right swings to the side of the Australian’s head in the third round, there was not sufficient power behind them to knock his helpless opponent out. The medical examiner had passed Rowe before the contest as physically fit in every respect. The Australian’s shewing was utterly incomprehensible, and savoured of stage fright as much as anything. Tl was certainly had luck for the Wellington Boxing Association, who had clone their best to stage an interesting match for their patrons.

LOSSES ON BOXING. MAJOR WILSON’S LIABILITIES Major James Arnold Wilson, the weiikown promoter of boxing contests, against whom a receiving order was made on June 2G last, when examinee, at the w London Bankruptcy Court on accounts showing liabilities of £17,310 and assets £34L The debtor said he organised boxing at the Royal Albert Hall and Olympia, London. The first contest which he promoted in 1920 was one between Moran and Beckett, a,rut on that he made a profit. He lost £SOOO on the- contest between Bloomfield and M‘Gil.l. There was a profit on the fight, between Car pen tier a net. Beckett, of £IBOO. In 1923-24 his total losses on the promotion of contests were £II,OOO. He borrowed £4OOO from friends and £II,OOO from moneylenders, and this was all used to finance contests. Asked why he offered such large purses. Major Wilson said that he was compelled to do so, otherwise he would be outbid by others. Major Wilson said that the contract for the fight between Bloomfield and Gibbons at the Wembley Stadium was signed three days after the receiving order, but he said that the contract had been for a long time in draft, and lie went on with it in the hope that lie would out of it he able to obtain sufficient to pay bis liabilities. The venture, however, resulted in a loss of £15,000. In reply to his solicitor, Major Milson expressed the opuiou that promoting a boxing contest was not so speculative ns putting a revue on the stage. Asked “Is liot the great part of u. boxing contest creating the situation ?” Major Wilson replied, “Tt is the whole thing.” . The examination was concluded.

TN THE ARGENTINE. BRIGHT INFLUENCE OF BRITISH SPORT. If boxing as a. sport and. pugilism as a profesraoii; can be shown to have weaned a nation from its use ol lethal veapnos in the settlement' ol persona! quarrels, those who denounce, the “noble art” ae brutal and degrading may be prepared to modify their point of view. Mr. T. C. Wignall lias described in The*' Daily Mail the phenomenal development of boxing in Germany. I believe the Argentine Republic presents a, more remarkable instance of the- beneficial Influence of British spoil, in general, and boxing in- particular, upon, the character of a people (says Leonard Matters). No longer does the young blood—of Buenos Aires hie him to a.n anneria when, his dignity is affronted or his honour aspersed. No longer does he slip, an automatic pistol in his hip pocket or push a knife up his sleeve preparatory to meeting his enemy. He joins, a, boxing club —if he is not alreadv a, member of one—practises upper-cuts a.nil short-arm. jolts, and v,allies forth: to exact vengeance with hie naked fists.