THE SQUARE RING

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 16 November 1929, Page 13

THE SQUARE RING

GLOVED GLADIATORS.

CURRENT BOXING COMMENT. POSSIBLE HAWERA FEATURE. N egotiations for' a. bout at Hawern between the New Zealand lightweight champion, Hector Leekie, and the Welsh boxer, Jack Jones, are still in progress and the Hawera association committee liopes to be in a. position next week to make a definite announcement. Should the bout at Hawera eventuate it will take place early in December. It- was previously announced, following the inability of the Hawera. association to secure accommodation for the return Donovan-Doble bout, that the next Hawera tourney would not be staged before the new year, but with an immediate prospect of securing Jones for his first bout in the Dominion the association took prompt steps to exploit the opportunity. Jones, who came from Australia as manager and trainer to Tommy Doble, is a former light-weight champion of Wales and has a good record. It is reported that lie is considering taking uii residence in New Zealand. It is certain that he will remain in the Dominion for some time and as he la seeking matches he will be seen in action in the ring. SARB ON’S APPEARANCE . Taranaki followers of boxing were hopeful recently of being afforded the privilege of seeing the American Pete Sarron in New Plymouth at the end of the month jin the first N.Z. bout of his forthcoming visit. While the negotiations were pending, however, it appears that a definite contract wa.s made by Sarron with the Wellington Association and bis opening bout is to be arranged at that centre early in December. Tommy Donoyan is spoken of as Sarron’si opponent at Wellington and should that be arranged a return match would probably be staged at New Plymouth, Whatever the result of the first bout the appearance of the pair anywhere in Taranaki where Donovan is the idol of the moment would prove probably the greatest draw card in the history of the sport in the province-

A GOOD FIGHT. Although made groggy in one of the early rounds, and also in the 11th and 12th terms, Len White (Australian), who sealed 9.2, recovered quickly and fought hack gamely against the American Sammy Shack (9.5) at the 'Sydney Stadium recently. He outpointed the U.S.A. boxer, his .performance (being full of merit. The Australian boxed in fine style. Standing up to his work, he did most of the leading ,a.nd also played the right frequently. His set-backs, especially toward the end of the contest, did not dishearten him. He wns dazed and unsteady on his- feet, but pulled himself together, and the last session of the contest, which was 'set for 15 twominute rounds, was his best term. He fought in this final round like a 'champion, and gave the American a bail time. Shack has a bad American habit of holding the top Tope with one hand and hitting with the other. For this infringement of the rule’s he was warned four time’s by the referee and howled at by several of the spectators. LECrxIE GETTING FIT. Johnnie Leekie is said to be- working hard in training aind. is determined to show the fans who- have been shouting .from the housetops—or street corners—that he has lost, his dash that their announcement is a- good deal too “previous.” He expects to account for Billy Grime next month and be fit and ready for the following fight at Napier -against an Australian yet to be named. A Sydney newspaper has been telling the world that. “Johnnie Leekie has slipped back, Tommy Donovan having k.'O. ’d him.” What’s in a. name? Grime had one of his spasms of sustained energy when he beat American Lou Bloom in Melbourne a. few days ago. Grime worked well throughout and won handily on points. But Bloom, although tough, was not very enterprising. GRIME’S RTNGCRAFT. In a contest full of interest ,says “The Australasian,” Melbourne) Billy Grime showed at the Melbourne Stadium on October 26 that even if he has lost much cf his former punching power, he -is still master of his -own inimitable style and a great ring craftsman. By ringcraft alone hej bluffed the American light-weight, Lou 1 Bloom, into so many losing positions I that a points decision for Grime wasj never in doubt. | The American -began well by carrying' the fight to Grime, but the menace of a'n ever-threatening right-hand counter sapped his confidence and he wa.s soon retreating. Grime followed him up with fantastic posturing, working with his left to open m path for the right, which was ever Grime ’s way. The exaggerated approach of Grime is one of the features of his ring work. Once upon a .time lie used to wave an open glove in Bert Spar.go’s eyes while crouching as low as this opponent’s knees. He hats ceased to act the .part of mesmerist since he returned from the United States, but his strategy is still reminiscent of a snake fascinating a rabbit before it strikes.

Unfortunately—unci this is a Teal •tragedy of the ring—Grime’s right hand no 'longer seems capable of landing a knock-out blow. In December, 1925, he knocked Danny Frusli, the English boxer, clean out with a, perfect right /to hlie point that travelled only about- IS inches, but to-day he is inclined' to sling his weighty punches, whereas his well-timed jolts apparently carry but little venom. POTENTIAL CHAMPION. From the introduction to a report of the .Tack Haines—Ben Marshall contest: at the Sydney Stadium on October 19: “An Australian potentiality for the world’s championship honours loomed across the fistic horizon at Sydney Stadium on Saturday night. A man, who, when he has the necessary experience ■tucked under his licit, looks able to revive the past glories of Stavin, Jackson and Darcy. Following an absence of several months from /the ring, owing to damaged hands, lie came out- and, after lie had got over his “ ring-shyness, ’ ’ boxed and punched like a champion. His opponent, Ben Marshall, welter champion of Wales, had no chance. He was out-

weighted and outclassed. Haines’ terrific punching was a revelation. The left hook’ to the jaw that finished the contest early in tire second round was a classic.” ANOTHER LICENSE. Another .amateur to take out a professional license is IE Eraer, (lie Auckland light-weight. His first contest under his new .status may be with Hector Le'ckic, who is booked for a return match with Donovan at Ashburton on November 22. POSSIBLE MORGAN BOUT. The Otago Association has in view a match between Tod Morgan and Norman Gillespie, the Australian lightweight champion. Both Morgan and Gillespie are very popular with Dunedin fight patrons, and if the association is /successful in its negotiations the match should prove a -profitable promotion, J