THE SQUARE RING

Hawera Star, Volume L, 26 April 1930, Page 10

THE SQUARE RING

GLOVED GLADIATORS CURRENT BOXING COMMENT COMING CONTESTS. April 28—Alan Campbell v. Jim Broadfoot (heavy title), at Christchurch. April 30—Johnnie Leckie v. G. Leslie, at Napier. May 3 —Tommy Donovan v. Pete Sarron, at Dunedin. May 21 or-22 —Johnnie Leckie v. Tommy Donovan (feather title), at Napier. PRIZE MONEY WITHHELD. When Ted Morgan lost on a foul to Lou Bloom at Hastings, Referee Sgt.Major O’Leary assured Morgan and Pat Connors, his trainer, that the Mellingtonian would have no trouble in getting his money from the Hawke s Bay Boxing Association. With that understanding, Pat and Ted left foi home, expecting to receive the association’s cheque, but the best of a wee.v drifted past ' before Morgan received any intimation as to why the paper had not been received (states the “Sportsman”). Advice was then received from the N.Z.B.A. office that Sgt.-Major O’Leary had reported Morgan ’s foul punching to his association, which decided to withhold J?cd ? s end of the purse. Morgan’s mentor at once decided to hand the matter over to his legal adviser, Mr F. W. Ongley. It is not the intention of Connors to lile another appeal to the council. In the High wourt of Australia recently, the Judge decided an interesting case when he gave his verdict in favour of a boxer, who, in the opinion of a controlling referee, had been a party to a “framed” fight. The Leichhardt Stadium proprietor had to pay out.. “MORGAN WENT MAD.” Referring to the recent Hastings contest, in which a decision on a foul in the fourth round was given Lou Bloom over Ted Morgan, the “Hawke’s Bay Herald” states that the New Zealander’s impetuosity was the sole cause otj his defeat, for it was evident that Bloom had no chance against him Recent, criticism of Morgan as a man devoid of aggressiveness was thoroughly belied by his showing, for, had he used his short-arm punches correctly, he might almost have done slaughter; He punched low all the time, and used his left rip from a position which almost assured misfortune for him. Even if it was properly directed at its beginning, Bloom had only to deflect it" with his right guard to turn the punches low. Morgan went completely mad, and from the sound of the gong in the opening round he went in like a madman. -Bloom, with Morgan lighting as lie was, had only to wait to assure himself of a (win. There was only one man in it, [and that was Morgan; but he was so | much in it that the referee at last [spotted him and gave Bloom the fight. • Bloom showed considerable readiness jto collapse before Morgan’s blows, but I there is no doubt that when the referee (Sergt.-Major O’Leary) decided in Bloom’s favour, Morgan had put in an unquestionably foul blow. The bout, was arranged by the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association, and was for a purse of £l5O.

HANCOCK'S DECISION. The 15-round professional boxing contest between Wally Hancock, the exwelterweight champion of Australia, and Reg. Trowern, which was held in the Dunedin Town Hall last week, in the presence of about 2500 spectators, was hardly what might have been expected from two such willing lighters as the contestants have previously proved themselves to be (states the “Sportsman''). The contest went the full 15 rounds, and, although the referee (Mr D. Pater son) gave the decision to the Australian, his verdict met with a very mixed reception from the spectators. (From the outset Trowern was the aggressor, and was on his opponent all the time, scoring time and again at close quarters with solid rips to the body. Moreover, lie made Hancock miss repeatedly, and when the latter did come to him he propped him off with a jarring stopping left. Hancock showed little variety in his punches, and his timing was not good in the initial stages of the fight, although he improved after the tenth round, and looked like wiping off the points’ deficit which seemed to be against him at that stage. The weights were: Hancock, 10.34; Trowern, 10.lj.

, .CALL FROM R'AR'ATONGA i _____ Although the climate is of a tropical nature, and there is no winter as we understand it in Ntj.v Zealand, the island of Rarotonga is becoming one of the keenest Rugby centres in the Pacific Islands. Already there are several senior clubs in existence there, and a regular competition is held, though so far it is not very extensive. The growth of the -game is largely the result of the energy o’f a number of New Zealanders who reside there. A't a recent meeting of the .Wellington Rugby Union a letter was received from the head master of the Takitumu School, at Rarotonga, where something like 200 natives are 'being taught, 'asking for assistance in fostering the game. 'The writer stated that the boys were becoming very keen on Rugby. 'The Management Committee of the W.R.U. decided to send them t|vvo new footballs and several copies of the rule's of the. game. AMERICAN GRAZE •Some idea of the craze for the American brand of football is seen' in the annual report, of Notre Dame University, a comparatively unimportant foundation in the West. During the season the matches drew 600,000 spectators. The average price of admission was four dollars and the total swag was 2,354,000 dollars—sav £470,000. CHANGE OF U NTFOR M Sydney University Rugby Club, one of the oldest in Australia, has resolved to scrap the blue and gold barred jersey its player's have worn for over 50 years. Reasons are not given, but in virju* of the fact that all sorts of weird game's within the University arc now claiming the honour of the famous colours, they are, not hard to guess at. The new uniform will be a white jersey with the Union badge on the breast.

THEIR SECOND ENCOUNTER. When Reg Trowern, known in Australia as the “New Zealand Bear Cat,” met Wally Hancock at Dunedin last Tuesday night, it was the second time he had faced the Australian exchampion. They fought in a previous battle in 1927 at Leichhardt Stadium (Sydney) on December 2, the decision going to Trowern on points after a fifteen rounds’ tilt. Apparently Trowern is Hancock’s master as it is understood that. Reg was given a decidedlv raw deal at Dunedin last Tuesday when Referee Paterson raised Wally’s arm.

LECKIE TO MEET LESLIE

The Napier Association has matched Johnnie Leckie with Glen Leslie on April 30, “with the idea of getting Leckie ready to face Tommy Donovan,” so it is said, writes “Uppercut.” in the Napier “Daily Telegraph.” This makes it look as if Leslie is regarded as something in the nature of .a “set-up” f or Leckie, but. those who think that way arc quite liable to be surprised. Perhaps, when Leckie was at his top, he would easily have accounted for Leslie, but it must not be forgotten that Leckie has had a pretty^bad spin, and when last seen out was certainly not at his best. It must not be forgotten also that Leslie is one of the few men who have gone the distance with Donovan, and at the end there was not much between them, so Leslie is going to prove anything but an easy nut for Leckie to open. He certainly cannot be taken cheaply, and the writer predicts a real ding-dong battle. Leslie was amateur 'featherweight champion in 1928, beating Tommy Donovan in the final. LECKIE AND DONOVAN.

Tommy Donovan has written to the Napier Association to say that he commences his leave on May 17, and that lie would be ready to take his title match with Leckie on ther22nd or 24tli, states a Napier writer. Saturday, the 24th, will be the night most likely. This bout should be worth going a long way to ‘see, and will prove or disprove Johnnie Leckie’s future claim to be considered in the first flight in Australasia.