BOXING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 253, 12 October 1911, Page 2

BOXING

HAWKE’S BAY' ASSOCIATION’S TO I RNAMEN’T. There was a fair attendance at the IJawki ’.-> Bay Amateur Boxing Association’s ehamponship tournament held in the Princess Theatre, Hastings, last evening. Some of the the entrants failed to put in an appearance, but the bill of fare was nevertheless good and in one or two instances tiie bouts were well contested and exciting. Mr. A. Gregory was referee, and his position was by no means a sinecure. Some of his decisions had a hostile reception, and the audience demonstrated their feelings with no uncertain voice. .Messrs. A. Ellinghani and J. D. Donovan respectively carried out the duties of timekeeper and official second. Tombs’ orchestra varied the proeeedugs with a musical programme. Tn the absence of the president (Mr. E. J. Watt), Mr. A. L. D. Fraser (vice-president) welcomed the gathering in an appropriate speech. The bouts were limited to four rounds of two minutes each, and resulted as follows:—

BANTAM-WEIGHTS (Bst 21b). IL L. Firth (Napier) v. J. Fergusson (Waipawa).—The pair got to business in all haste, and it was evident they were out for keeps. Fergusson displayed some clever footwork in the opening stages, but his punches, though well directed, lacked weight. On the other hand, Firth did all the leading albeit that his hitting was wild. A hot encounter followed in round 2, both receiving a lot of punishment. The bout went the full journey, and the verdict, “Fergusson,” met with popular approval. A good fight. FEATHER-WEIGHT (9st). L. Stewart was declared the winner of the championship by default. LIGHT-WEIGHTS (lOst.) A. O’Halloran (Napier) v. L. Stewart (Petone). —O’Halloran opened fire first, Stewart retaliating with heavy’ lefts. In round 2 the Napierit? was frequently cautioned for not breaking from clinches. Stewart rattled home his lefts in the third. O’Halloran equalising matters with right upper-cuts. Round four saw honuors even. The referee, in serjarnting the pair in a clinch, threw Stewart on all-fours, an incident which was greeted with a chorus <>. r hoots. A fifth round was ordered, but Stewart threw up the sponge, f::i.vi.!g he was too light for his opponent. The verdict accordingly went to O’Halloran, who apparently did have an advantage in averdupois. WELTER-WEIGHTS (lost 81b). IV. Stevens (Havelock) v. D. Collins (Hastings).—The local man set the ball going, but his blows found no resting-place. He continued to lead in the second round, and planted some damaging rights on Stevens’ head. Round three saw Collins still forcing matters. Stevens apparently waiting an opening. Round four was more willing, but ended favourably to Collins. The referee’s decision, however, gave the fight to the suburbanite. It had a very mixed reception. W. Moriarty (Waipawn) v. AV'. Percy (Hastings). Percy commenced hostilites paying special attention to the visitor’s abdominal regions. Moriarty visited the mat in the first round, but was up at the count of nine seconds. Percy- continued the aggressive in the second roupd, and again sent his opponent to the fioor for nine. Nothing daunted, Moriarty- came again, but this time the gong saved him from further disaster. A fierce right droie the Waipawaite to the ropes, and on to his knees in round Percy, following up drove another home before his opponent had regained his feet, and the fight was awarded to Moriarty on a foul. Hoots mingled with cheers followed the announcement of the verdict. SEMI-FINAL.

Stevens v. Moriarty.— .Stevens was first to begin, and a damaging right left Mor : arty groggy. However, he reversed matters in the next round, and ” corners ” lifted Stevens from a hot engagement. Round three brought points to Moriarty. On one occasion his seconds appealed for a foul for low hitting, but the referee’s orders were to " box on.” Revenge came in the final lap, and Menially was declared the winner on points. MIDDLE-WEIGHTS (list 41b.) A. IV. Iggulden (Napier) v. G. Butcher (Havelock). —This bout opened like a whirlwind, the Napierite making the pace. Butcher evened the points in round two, both indulging in heavy slogging. Iggulden led again in round three, signs of wear appearing on both. The final round provided probably the best and certainly the most excit ing battle of the evening. Encouraged by partisans in the audience, the combatants fought like Trojans, and to a standstill. ' Iggulden the winner ” was receved with loud applause. TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMME. The finals will be decided this evening when the principal attraction will be the professional bout between Bromwich and Jack Griffin for a £’4o purse.