BOXING REFEREES

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 December 1930, Page 13

BOXING REFEREES

HUSHES IN THE RING THE RONOVAN-ED WARDS MATCH GROUNDS FOR DISSATISFACTION. (.By “Physical Oulturist.”) iUnder date December Id a correspondent writes to “Physical Gulturist” as follows: “Being for years a reader of your very interesting: articles in the ‘Ha.wera Star,’ L’ve been asked by a car load of local boxing enthusiasts that left Hawera to see. the DonovanEdwards .fight to get your views of a referee’s duties. Anyone will admit that the referee has a. difficult job and, like, the cook, he finds it. impossible to ,please everybody. ■ However, in this case it seems impossible to meet anyone who is not displeased. 1 think that- 98 per cent, of the crowd took strong exception to the referee’s constant irritating smacking of Edward’s arm, and for no apparent cause. Poor. .Edwards, on one occasion, asked for an explanation and Mr Moale got not n little excited and angry. Of course, 1 while they were having their ‘powavow* -Donovan was working overtime. •Personally I am. and have always have, been, a very staunch, admirer of Donovan, and I think lie would have won without- the. referee's assistance. •Perhaps the referee did not intend to. Anyway, in my humble opinion, he sue- 1 ceeded in one thing only. He succeeded in spoiling what would have been a tip-top fight-.”

As “Physical Guitarist” was not present- at the fixture, lie cannot express an opinion as to the merits of the boxers or of the referee, other than that contained in the newspaper reports and the opinions of those who were there. As one who lias acted as third man in the ring, any sympathy is usually with the referee, whose lot. like that of a policeman, is not always a happy one. A.s a. referee, this writer lias pleased the crowd and one only -of the boxers, and in the next bout, when a blind, man could see who bad won, the crowd lias been against him. Experience has proved that many who view I he. fights are notoriously had judges of boxing. In many cases the wish is father to the thought and if .their fancy does not win, it is owing to the verdict of a rotten referee. However, where there is smoke. there: usually is fire. On Monday morning all the local fight fans were talking of the fight. Without exception., those I spoke to who had made the journey (and most were Donovanites) were loud in their complains of the refereeJ Being used to this kind of thing, ! put it down to sympathy for his youthful opponent. However, when 1 read the following comment in the “Star.” and knowing the writer, who is a hardbitten fight fail and no mean iudge it caused me to think that perhaps for once the fight fans were right. The “Star” reporter’s comment was: “Edwards earned the sympathy of the crowd for numerous warnings given him without apparent reason, ami in the early stages the referee was issuing an almost continuous admonishment which must have handicapped the Australian, lor both boxers were at fault.” Further on hi' states:. “Donovan held him on the ropes ami Edwards was cautioned for holding.: A section of the crowd hooted the referee, as Donovan was noticed to be holding on the blind side.” Since then my correspondent’s tetter came to hand, from which it will he gathered he is boiling with indignation. Without mentioning names, 4 ma.V state he understands boxing from A to Z. lias bad lighting experience in lings at Home and abroad; is quick lo resent an insult and to take the part ol the weak; has been known toturn his back and walk away from a“mug ; is used to a city life and lias known bush and camp life with its attendant, rough house stunts. Even to-day. although lie is grey, he will fight like a tiger cat for fair play; Ris inotto has over been “fair play is bonny play.” Into the bargain he has seen some of the best referees in the world officiating in the ring. In the face of this evidence, J have no hesitation in stating that the action .of the referee was wrong. In this writer’s opinion, two boxers of the calibre of Donovan and Edwards should know the rules of the game without any interference from the official controlling the fight. Only when opponents are clinching or bolding and will not break at the command of the referee is that official justified in laying hands on the men to break them. If the referee wishes to have a thorough understanding with the men that should take place before the fight commences. Once ,the fight is oil, for till' time being tie should dissociate himself from the combatants and lie absolutely neutral. If one of the contestants commits a breach, lie is subject to certain penalties laid down in the rules. There are certain fouls for which a warning is issued which, if repeated, is liable to bring disqualification to the offender, at the option of the referee, who decides whether the offence was deliberate or accidental. There is nothing more calculated to upset a man than to suddenly feel a pat of the hand from an unseen quarter. Naturally, when a man who is strung up to concert pitch, with eyes and thoughts only on his opponent, has his attention distracted in such a manner, lie is liable in an unguarded moment to get a crack from bis opponent which may go a long wav in such opponent’s favour. Apparently this is what happened in the tight in question, as my correspondent, hacked up by other eye-witnesses, states that Donovan was working overtime while the referee was admonishing Edwards, for which no one could blame Donovan. Neither do I blame the latter for getting in fine work on the blind side of the referee if that official, from his nlace in the ring, failed to observe this clever nieee of ring•qraft. In conclusion. I may further state that in my opinion, once a competitor loses confidence in the referee, the odds are much in favour of the other man. In the London National Spoiling Club ilie referee, for many years Mr Eugene Coni, invariably took his seat outside of the ring. Every-boxer who entered (he ring over which Mi Coni had control realised he would receive fair play and no favour. If the boxer broke the rules, whether by accident or design, ho had to put up with the consequences. He was presumed to have learned the rules before ho entered the ring. Among boxing enthusiasts, both in Australia and New Zealand, there are differences of opinion as to whether the controlling official .should lie in or -out of the rinre. The principal reason for being inside is that, lie may see every move of the game and separate the men when clinched or holding. However, jf one competitor has to take all the blame while his opponent, though equally guiltv, succeeds in getting on the. on the outside of the ring. Finally,

t is the lighters tlic- public pay to -see imd not the referee.

W I,IAX ,OF .JONES:-

.While on. the subject of boxing, wliat is wrong with Jones? Is he labelled .dangerous that none of .the lightweights want to meet him? Rumour says that the champion lightweight, (Hector Reekie, is pot too anxious. In discussing with a Hawera official the desirability of this he said be viewed it with ,favour, but although Jack was willing. Hector raised obstacles. .In a nutshell, all that is wrong with Jones is his punch. II Jones and Reekie get together it should be a light worth seeing. While further pastures may look the greenest and New Zealanders are awaiting the American invasion which Hick Stewart will bring about, this scribe ventures the opinion that Hawera cannot do better than commence the New Year with a match between this pair; it should provide a scrap worth seeing. “.Physical Gultprist” takes this opnortnnitv of wishing his readons a Mei:rv Christmas and a prosperous New Year. :Tvia Ora,.