BOXING IN HAWERA

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 October 1930, Page 10

BOXING IN HAWERA

• PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR NEXT FRIDAY'S TOURNAMENT (By “Physical Cnlturist.”) Next Friday night will see the return match between .Tack. .Jones, exchampion lightweight, boxer of Wales, and Glen-Leslie, of Auckland. The last contest between these two men, provided food for argument. Although Jones was declared the winner there were not wanting those who thought the referee had made a mistake. Be that as it may, opinion was very divided among local followers of the sport. At one stage it certainly looked as though the colonial boy would prove the winner. The latter took the ring looking as fit as hands could make him, and as the fight progressed it looked as though his condition would see him through. On the other hand, .Tack .Tones fought a very plucky fight. This writer, who had been privileged to see him in two special private workouts, expressed the opinion that .Tones would be the winner, and so it turned out. At the same time I have no hesitation in writing that I consider he was lucky, for on the night he was fighting under the handicap of a broken thumb, which had been fractured in a hard spar in his (Inal work out. In a mix-up in 1 hr*j third round on the night of the fight, j the. Welshman, in putting over a hard] one, felt it go crack. From then to the finish it was a case of bluff with the injured hand and fight with the other. That was on February 21, quite eight months ago. Since then the thumb has been well and truly mended. In the interim Jones has had one fight, some two months ago in Patea, when he defeated Crowley, of Wellington. As proving that a boxer cannot afford to be kind, I may say that those who witnessed a somewhat, one-sided fight, in which Jones palpably carried his opponent, were amazed on opening the Wellington papers to read that. Crowley had all the best of the light. Such was far from the case. In the final round, when Jones had Crowley at his mercy, instead of following up his advantage, he magnanimously stood off and refrained from punishing his well beaten opponent. A manly action, but always a dangerous one. There arc some who say the AVelshman cannot box and others who say he cannot punch. Make no mistake, .Tones can both box and punch. Ho mav not

be a Griffo in cleverness or a Murphy with his punch, but he is far away a better man in the ring than lie has so far shown the Taranaki boxing fans. Of his opponent, Leslie, in his last fight with Jones, he was- distinctly unlucky to lose, according to the rules of the game. He over since has chafed for a return match; now that he has got his wish lip may be relied on to go for the lick of his life—may the best man win. Both boxers must weigh in at 9.9 or under.

THE AMATEURS. I The preliminary bouts will be between the cream of Wellington and 1 Taranaki amateurs, which has been spcciallv arranged in view of the New Zealand team which will represent the Dominion in South Africa. Mr Aldridge and the Wellington officials have expressed their intention of being present to watch the bouts-before selecting the team. The order of me bouts will be: M. Strickland (11.1) v. D. Wills (H-3) 1 TStrickland (10.9) v. R, Furze (10-0; Knopp (8.11) v. Thomas (8.11); Wit hey (9.8) v. V. Findlay (9.10); Oxley (9.0) v. Murray (9.G); Adams (8.0) v. Roebuck (7.9). M. Strickland, who has had four wins on end, is looked on as one of Wellington’s most promising welters. His last win was at Mastcrton last Saturday night, when the bout was stopped by Keferec Earle Stewart. Ilis opponent, Dud Wills, lias had three bouts, winning the first two in no uncertain manner ■and losing the last on. points ito R. Furze rwho is a big possibility* for the South African team), Wills failing to live up to expectations. After events proved he was then sickening for an illness, which made him an inmate of the Hawera Hospital at the time of the New Zealand championships. Both lads may' bo relied on to put up a-strenuous bout. The next bout will be between L. Stricland (10.9) and R. Furze (10.7). L. Strickland lias been fighting for two years, during which he has only had tw o defeats registered against him. He was I the boxer nominated by Wellington for I the Australian trip, which fell through in favour of tho South African venture, for which the team has not yet been selected. Those Taranaki men who witnessed the Donovan-Sarron light at Wellington will have a vivid recollection of the gory preliminary scrap which Strickland Avon. Old' ringside's declare it Avas the best fight of the day'. E. Furze needs no introduction, to the public. Apart from participating for the New Zealand Avelterweight championship, in which many sjieetators differed from the judge’s decision, his fight with Wills in Hawera is stilt remembered.

The third bout scheduled is between Knopp and Thomas, each making S.ll. Knopp has the reputation of being a lighter from fighter\'ille. For the Wellington a*. Canterbury' contests brought off at Christchurch some two months ago, the officials looked round for someone to take his measure and finally lloAvers was specially brought from the West Coast, only to take the knock from the hard hitting Knopp after the referee had ordered an extra round. His opponent, Thomas, Avho hails from Eltham, is a straight left specialist, whom the genial Eltham instructor, Ben Johnstone, has trained to the minute. And although Talbot beat him in the finals for the Taranaki championships, Trainer Ben has him in great shape as demonstrated at the Donovan-Gillespie go in New Plymouth, when hfi Avon his match with Meuii.

The fourth bout is between Withcy aiid Findlay. .Dubbed the “snake,” probably, from the way in which lie darts out a long left, Findlay was one of Haw era's finds this season and owes his success to Ihe coaching of Jack Jones. He has won three lights and lost one, the last to Craig at Taumaranui. His opponent, Withcy, comes recommended by ills mentor, Billy Crawford, and Wellingtonians say he will take a power of beating, being as tough as nails. The fifth bout is between Oxley (9.0) and Murray (9.0). Oxley has numerous victories 1o his credit, is well 1 bought of by Wellington fans and was another runner-up at the Now Zealand championships. His opponent is* another pupil from Ben Johnstone’s Elfham school, one of the most, promising and improving with every bout. In the Taranaki championships he really won las fight against Turner, of Waitara, on the referee’s admission; who stated ho gave the fight to Turner owing to Murray’s refusing to break. As the rc-| force’s verdict is final that settled it,| though ringsiders thought it hard luck Murray should go the full journey be- 1 fore paying the penalty for what, had gone before. In his bout at New Plymouth last Saturday night Murray knocked out his man in half a round and evidently is right at the top of liis form at present.

Adams (8.0) v. Roebuck (7.9) brings two Taranaki boys together. Roebuck, from New Plymouth, was runner-up in his class at the New Zealand championships and may always be relied upon to put. up a good go. Young Adajns, quite a lad, gained a host of admirers by his splendid showing in the Taranaki championships. Though beaten he then journeyed to Wanganui, competing for their championships, winning the Jinril by a. knock-out in half a round.

On paper it looks as though the forthcoining bouts on the Mist are going to be the best yet held in Hawera, either professional or amateur.

A word to members: It is no secret that the executive is having a hard time owing to the financial depression to balance its budget; therefore, it be-

hoves members to stand pat behind, the executive. They need have no hesitation in bringing along their friends to witness a well-arranged tournament. The organisation has been uniformly good at all the shows put on by the local association. The association has been fortunate in having such a live and enthusiastic body of men on the executive who have given freely of their time find interest in fostering the sport. It would lie a pity if this forthcoming tourney did not result, in a bumper house, as the H.B.A. has spared an expense to procure, the best talent available. Prices of admission will be down to bedrock.