AMATEUR BOXING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 197, 3 August 1928, Page 3

AMATEUR BOXING

HAWKE’S BAY CHAMPIONSHIPS Good Contests for Title Knuckey Wins Cup for Science No one could grumble at the bill of fare provided by the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association last evening in Hastings. The annual amateur championship tourney was staged in the Drill Hall, and there was a record crowd of spectators. A dozen bouts were arranged and with the exception of two, all were first-class encounters. A handsome cup, presented by Mr, Dr Newbigin for the most scientific display of the evening was annexed by Les Knuckey, of Hastings.

Officials for the evening were:— Judges: Messrs. W. Apperley (Hastings) and J. Harris (Napier), referee, Mr. J. D. Donovan, Hastings. The results of the various bouts were as follows:— FLYWEIGHT The title went to W. Weir (Napier) as Gay (Wairoa) defaulted. Weir gave an exhibition bout with P, Hutchinson (Hastings). FEATHER-WEIGHT Semi-final. Seastrand (Napier) 9-0 v. Roche (Napier) 8.7. In the first round the lighter lad did all the attacking, Seastrand being content to stand-off and box. The second round was a repetition of the first. Seastrand giving Roache a hiding. When the third round was about to start Roche was too tired, and Seastrand was given the verdict. Final. L. Drieberg (Napier) 9st. v. A. Seastrand (Napier) 9st.

Druberg made the pace pretty hot throughout the first round. His opponent apparently did not relish having to appear a second time, for his display was below his previous standard. Seastrand preferred to clinch and hardly landed a telling blow in the second round. It was Drieberg's fight all the way. Twice in the final round Seastrand took a lot of punishment up against the ropes. The decision rightfully went to Drieberg. BANTAM-WEIGHTS Final L. Knuckey (Hastings) 8.2 v. P, Hutchinson (Hastings) 8.3. No time was lost in preliminaries, the pair mixing from the start. Hutchinson (who held the title) was tho more aggressive. He landed a hard right to the face but Knuckey countered with a straight left. Tn the second round Knuckey was the more aggressive, but Hutchinson eluded several dangerous blows. In the final two minutes the pair hammered at each other in grand style. Both were knocked about a bit. The better bearing of Knuckey in the earlier rounds gave him the title for 1928-29.

LIGHT-WEIGHTS First Semi-final. E. Williams (Napier) 9.7 v. T. Wilson (Hastings) 9.7). The Hastings lad had an advantage in reach and showed that he had more than one hard blow. Williams was fighting gamely all the way, but took a lot of punishment. In the second round he went to the mat for nine seconds as the result of a stinging left to the face followed by a right. When be got up he went straight for Wilson and landed with a hard left. In the third round he outboxed Wilson and though he took a lot of punishment he gathered in the points to secure the verdict. Second Semi-final. J. Andrews (Taihape) 9.12 v. E. Probert (Hastings) 9.10. No time was lost in this bout, both lads mixing it well. Each got home with several good blows. In the second the pace was good, Probert concentrating on straight lefts to the head and Andrews hammered away at the body with an occasional visit to the head. Prohert drew the claret near the end of the round. In the third round both started slowly as they were tired. The visiting lad put up a gallant fight hut Prohert's straight lefts knocked the stuffing out of his opponent. The verdict went to Prohert. Third Semi-final. W. Woon (Hastings) 9.12 v. W. Wells (Hastings) 9.7. Both mixed in and there were several toe to toe scraps.

landed a straight left that made Wells reel, but he returned with a stinging right to the jaw. Shortly afterwards he sent Woon to the mat where he lay until the bell rang, lhe second round was hard. Wells was aggiessive from the start. He landed a succession of lefts and rights then a blow on the temple sent Woon on the mat for the count. Final. Wilson withdrew from the contest, leaving Probert to meet Wells, The former had an advantage of five pounds. He landed, early in the bout, a left to the jaw and then followed an exchange of good hard blows, the honours being shared at the finish by Wells connecting with a right swing. In the second round Probert landed several stinging blows but Wells took it all and came back for more. It was Probert’s round though Wells made the last few seconds exciting. The third round was devoid of excitement and Probert gathered in the laurels, after Wells had unsuccessfully attempted to land a knock-out.

MIDDLE-WEIGHTS Final, F. Callien (Hastings) 11.2 v. C. Cordon (Napier) 11.2. The Hastings lad had an advantage in height and reach. The first round was u lame affair. The next two minutes were not any brighter, but in the third, the fight was Barents. Callien had Gordon rocking with a left and a right to the head. While Gordon was hanging on the lopes Gallien landed a blow and was ordered back. Gordon took the count for five, but was obviously done. The title went to Gallien. WELTER-WEIGHT Final. J. Ferguson (Hastings) 10.2 v. E. Wilson (Hastings) 9.7. The pair took things cautiously in the first round, though each landed a few good blows. The next two minutes was more exciting. Towards the close of the round Wilson was feeling the effect of the previous fight. He was chased across the ring under a broadside of rights and left. In the final round, Wilson recovered somewhat and waited to land a knock-out. While waiting he took :i lot of punishment from Ferguson, who took the upper hand at the finish of the bout to obtain the decision and title.

LIGHT-HEAVY Semi-final. Saunders (Matahora) 11,8 v. Hepburn (Napier) 11,9. Saunders had an advantage in height and reach, but the Napierite found an opening in the defence in the first exchange of blows. Within a minute the referee stopped the obut, though why, was a mystery as Saunders was ready foi more. Final F. Cordon (Waikaremoana) 10.13 v. F, Hepburn (Napier) 11.8. Both started to fight hard at the outset and there were several lively exchanges in the first round. In the next flutter Hepburn landed with his lefts, but 'he took a lot of body punishment. Gordon tired towards the close of the round. In the final two minutes Hepburn rattled Gordon with a right swing to the jaw„ but the country lad came back with a succession of stinging blows to the head and body. He showed cleverness in dodging and he returned more than made up the deficit of the earlie rround. The verdict to Gordon was a popular one.