BOXING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 239, 27 September 1930, Page 10

BOXING

(By

“Art Noble.)

TWO CONTESTS THIS WEEK. October 31 Tommy Griffiths v, Jack Crowley, at Ashburton. October 41 Norm. Gillespie v. Johiuiy Leckie, at Napier. • • • Friday at Ashburton. Jack Crowley and Tommy Griffiths cross gloves at Ashburton on Friday next. Unless ho has slipped Griffiths should prevail. Back to the Fold. Word comes from Sidney that will-o’-the-wisp Purdy ;s settling down to serious training with a view to showing all and sundry who’s who. Charlie is now in the hands of Trainer Ned Sinclair, of Newtown. Fury Filipino for N.Z. Young Gildo, the Whirlwind of the Orient, considered in Australia the finest little piece of fighting material as distinct from the boxer, is under engagement to the Taranaki Boxing Association for bouts with Donovan and others provided no bar exists on the grounds of colour.

Herbert Larsen Spars. At a recent amateur tournament held in Wellington au interesting feature on the programme was au exhibition over three “twos” by George Thomas, tho amateur lightweight, and Herbert Larsen, the professional bantomweight. They sped the course in swift and willing manner that pleased the onlookers. Larsen is keen to be matched. Richards Flattened.

That tough person Billy Richards met his match in Australia the other day when he entered the some ring with welter champion Tommy Fairhall. As early as the second round Richards buckled from a haymaker and had a torrid time before the bell brought relief. The third was all punishment for Richards, and when he came out for the fourth be was swaying like a reed in a gale. A punch or two and the referee stopped the slaughter. Richards in New Zealand a few weeks back spilled Phin Stone and dropped a decision to Trowern. * * a “Just a Shell."

Ted Nelson left Australia for New Zealand a few weeks back styled the uncrowned featherweight king. On a recent Friday night he returned to the Sydney ring a shell of his former self and was battered down in nine rounds by Bobby Blay, the Broken Hill youngster, who is soon to show his wares in New Zealand. Nelson suffered severely at Leckie's hands at Napier and Donovan 00mEd the smashing of the game Kangaroo battler at Hastings. Complete rest may rebuild Nelson, but many believe he is broken beyond repair. Australian champion.

Norman Gillespie has settled down to steady training for his contest with Johnny Leckie. The Australian lightweight champion, who tips the beam at about nine-six, was born at Toobrack, Victoria, in 1907. He is an inch taller than Johnny and has an advantage of 2J inches in reach —and he’l need it?! Johnny’s measurements over all are: Age, 23; weight, 9 stone; height, sft. sin.; reach, 66Jin., neck, 15in.; biceps, 10}in., wrist, 6)111.; chest, normal, 35in., expanded 36Jin., waist, 28fin.; thigh, 20in.; ankle, Bin. Gillespie is not brilliant, but he !s capable and tough and will provide solid opposition for the New Zealand champion. Leckie is in splendid condition ami it will take something of a class above his next opponent to topple him. Morgan May Cet Chance.

For some months Ted Morgan, through erratic displays in the ring, has been taboo by New Zealand associations. The Wellington welterweigh,t however, has many friends who maintain that Ted has been more sinned against than he has sinned himself. To Morgan’s staunch friends, therefore, as well as to himself, the offer of a contest against Reg, f Trowern, at Whangarei, comes as a silver lining to a veiy dark cloud. While nothing has been finalised, Morgan can be relied upon to place no obstacle in the way of a chance to regain a footing on the pugilistic ladder, and Trowern, having just emerged from under an official ban, should be of the same mind, Whangarei should be the battle ground for the pair’s third clash, honours so far resting with Trowern with a win and a draw. Australian Middles.

If not to-night then next Saturday will be fought what may be termed the middleweight championship of Australia and New Zealand between Artie Hay, welter, middle and lightheavy king of New Zealand stud Jack Haines, the Australian flash. A week or two ago was printed in tho “Sydney Referee” Jim Donjd's opinion of Haines. Quoth that wellversed scribe: “In grace of style, flashing foot pace and rapid-fire continuity of fist-play cack Haines surpasses Jimmy Clahby and Jeff Smith Haines is faster and more versatile than ever Tommy Uren was. His record is the best of any Australian middle in 20 years, Darcy's included Haines has never been defeated. His opponents have not been of great calibre but he licks them as a champion should. The only doubt, while admiring his versatile dexterity, is the measure of his jaw resistance. A certain frailty of physique obtrudes itself.” For tho sake of comparison “Art Noble” seized a compilation of records in an endeavour to make out a strong case for the chances of the Hastings man, but after ' short perusal and no great amount of thought it was apparent that Artic “on paper” has “Buckley’s” chance. For the sake of Hay and the p ime in New Zealand, it is to be hoped he will produce one of those displays that have proved the greater the opposition the greater his response.