AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPION

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 24 August 1935, Page 3

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPION

CLARRIE GORDON’S RECORD PROSPECT FOR OLYMPIC GAMES BRILLIANT CAREER TO DATE (By “The Mixer.”) For the first time in history it seems that Taranaki will have a boxing repre? sentative at the next Olympic Games, as, if Clarrie Gordon, of Patea, retains his present form he should be practically a certainty for the trip. Undoubtedly the finest amateur this province has ever produced, his brilliant record ranks him with the best “lilywhites” the Dominion has ever seen. Quiet and unassuming, Gordon’s personality as well as his boxing ability has made him the outstanding figure in New Zealand amateur boxing circles,, and it would be difficult to discover a more worthy representative at Berlin in any respects that the 19-year-old Patea lad. Several years back one of the most popular features on all programmes of boxing tourneys in this district was an exhibition by the Gordon twins, and it was in this manner that Clarrie and Viv. first won a place in the hearts of followers of the sport. The amazing

science of this pair of youngsters was a never ending source of wonder to onlookers, for even at an arly age both gave every indication- of developing into championship class. Clarrie commenced bis actual career at the age of fifteen, when in his home town he defeated McDowell, but in a return bout, against the same opponent he lost the decision at Feilding. He theiK went on to win the flyweight title at the Wanganui championships, and completed the season by twice defeating the Taranaki champion, T. Loyeridge. Brother Viv. received more opportunities in 1932 than Clarrie, who did not put in an appearance in- the ring until the New Zealand championship tourney at New Plymouth, when he created a mild sensation by winning the flyweight title. In all he had only four fights that year, winning each comfortably. He commenced 1933 well by beating Len Huzziff twice and the Wanganui bantam champion, Alan Deare, twice, but then his luck stopped. Representing Taranaki in the bantamweight division at the New Zealand championships at Blenheim, he won his first bout in which, however, he injured his hand and broke a rib. Even then it was the general opinion that he was robbed of the decision against Williams (who eventually won the title) in the second round. This was his second loss in seventeen bouts.

Just liow unlucky lie was at Blenheim Clarrie proved last year, when lie reached brilliant heights. After winning five bouts on end he found himself unable to give away weight to Jack Jarvis, to lose on a technical knock-out in the first round. Local enthusiasts will recall that bout in which the Patea lad stopped a rather lucky punch right at the start, which made him an easy mark for Jarvis. Clarrie soon made amends l'or this reverse, whan he went to Hastings. In the featherweight division, of the New Zealand champion- 1 ships he gave outstanding displays to win not only the title, but also the Jamieson belt for the most scientific box*er, two of bis victims being Billy Aitken and A 1 Stock, both of whom have done so well as professionals this year. Then followed the most brilliant, performance of liis career, when at Invercargill be scored a comfortable win on points over J. Moore (N.S.W.) to Avin the Australasian title. This season he has shotvn still further improvement, and despite the fact that lie has been fighting against heavier men all the while, he has beaten the cream of the Dominion’s lightAA'eight talent. To his former science Clarrie has now added hitting power, which he previously lacked, and he has a

punch in either hand capable of winning him piapy fights by the knockrout route. At present he is fighting a few pounds above the featherweight limit, but ihe states that he will have no difficulty in stripping below the required weight at the New Zealand championships. His full record is as follows: 1931.

Won —McDowell, at Patea, points. Lost—McDowell, at Feilding, points. Won—Foote, at Wanganui, points. Won—Gray, at Wanganui, points. Won —Loveridge, at Hawera, points. Won —Loveridge, at Hawera, points. Won—Turner, at Hawera, points. 1932. *Won —Loveridge, at New Plymouth, points. *Wcn—-McKay, at New Plymouth, points. ' Won—Loveridge, at Patea, points. Won —Gray, at Patea, points. ' 1933. Won. —L. Huzziff, at Wanganui, points. Won —L. Huzziff, at Hawera, points. Won—A. Deere, at Eltham, points. Won—A. Deere, at Wanganui, points. *Won—Richmond, at Blenheim, points. *Lost —Williams, at Blenheim, points. 1934. Won —Ryan at New Plymouth, points. Won—O’Neil, at Hawera, points. Won—Loveridge, at New Plymouth, points. Won —Thomas, at Patea, t.k.o. Won —P. Huzziff, at Eltham, points. Lost —J. Jarvis, at Hawera, t.k.o. *Won—Aitken, at Hastings, points. *Won—Fisher, at Hastings, points. * Won—Smith, at Hastings, points. *Won—Al Stock, at Hastings, points. Won —J. Moore, at Invercargill, points (Australasian title). 1935. Won—Hedberg, at Patea, points. Won—Dunn, at Hawera, points. Won—Murray, at Wellington, points. Won—W. Hawes, at Blenheim, points. Won —Gishard, at Hawera, knock-out. Won—Callaghan, at Gisborne, points’. Won—Wilson, at Awakino, points. Total: 38 bouts, 35 wins, 3 losses. * N.Z. championship bouts.