H.B. BOXING ASSOCIATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 95, 5 April 1934, Page 3

H.B. BOXING ASSOCIATION

PAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES SPORT WELL ESTABLISHED. Following is the annual report of the committee of the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association for the 1933-34 season:— “Although we were unable to show a credit balance on the year’s working, due mainly to the depression which the country is passing through, our activities were on a similar basis to that of last year, and no fewer than ten contests were staged, six of these being professionals. They were: Wright v. Knuckey (title fight), Sullivan v. Nicol (title fight), Griffin v. Robinson, Knuckey v. Carrig, Donkin v. Griffin, Oxley v. Hughes (title fight) and four amateur tournaments.

Owing to the wonderful enthusiasm displayed by the sporting fraternity in Waipukurau two of the professional contests were staged there and were well supported on each occasion. The association also ventured a similar contest iu Waipawa, but this unfortunately was not quite so successful. In this connection our special thanks are due to the sportsmen in these centres and more particularly to Messrs G. Crooks, L. Wood, B. Atkins, Dr. Raymond, O. Upton, A. Choto and Father Develin.

“During the year the association was able to send a team of boxers to Auckland, Gisborne and Masterton, and in each town the Hawke’s Bay boys put up a creditable performance. Through these interchange of visits our boys gain experienc, and these should be encouraged again this coming year. The association is unfortunate in not having training quarters where the moys could train, and this is a question to which we should give consideration. The old Cosy Theatre, where the tournamests are now being held, is an ideal place for a gymnasium, and an endeavour should be made to arrange with the Mayor (Mr G. A. Maddison) for the use of this building in view of the coming New Zealand championships. “Hawke’s Bav was again represented at the New Zealand amateur chan-i--pmnships held at Blenheim and. although no boxer attained any individual honour, the team as a whole put up a very creditable performance, which, reflected credit on the nssocin tion and the standard of boxing in Hawke’s Bay, H. Donkin ami B. Boyle being specially mentioned. “The association is fortunate in this year having the New Zealand amateur championships allotted tn

Hastings. This event is due mainly to the continued efforts of our hon. secretary, Mr J. Stickland, and should prove a big factor in stimulating the sport of boxing in this district. The committee extends its hearty congratulations to its chairman, Mr D. H. Newbigin, in being elected to the position of president of the New Zealand Boxing Council, this being the highest honour one can obtain in boxing in New Zealand. “The school tournaments we consider should be again undertaken, as it is only by fostering the schoolboy taitalent that we cas hope to improve the general standard in the province. In this connection our thanks are due to Artie Hay and Billy Sullivan for coaching the boys; to the secretary, who organised the tournaments, to the headmasters and staffs of the respective schools for their support. “We can confidently say that boxing is still very popular with the sporting fraternity, and we hope that the association will be able to keep up the good standard set during the past season by engaging boxers who can bo assured of giving good exhibitions. “Our association again assisted in raising money for the Mayor’s Relief Fund, and special mention was made by His Worship the Mayor of the great success that attended the cainival boxing tournament, and special thanks are due to the boys, who gave their services free for this worthy cause and to those gentlemen who as sisted in erecting the ring, etc. Mr G. P. Aldridge, secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Council, paid a visit to Hastings in connection with the coming championships, and the following dates were fixed: —Wednesday, Thursday and Fridav. September 19. 20 and 21, 1934. The association is indebted to him for his valued assistance in this connection. “Our very sincere thanks are due to Mr 11. M. Campbell, M.P., for the active interest displayed by him at all times and it is mainly due to his loyalty that the association is able to occupy the prominent position that it does to-day. “Thanks are due to the executive officers and committee for the manner in which they have worked together during the seasonto make it the success that it was, and in this respect we should like to express our thanks to the Press for their very hearty co-operation accorded us during the year. To the honorary medical officers we should like to offer our thanks and appreciation. “We feel that this report would not he complete without placing on record the excellent services rendered to the association by our honorary secretary, Mr J. Stickland. The brunt of the work of organising the contests during the year fell on him, and it was mainly due to his great efforts that we were able to have such an active season. “In conclusion we should like to thank all those who have assisted the association during the year, and any-

one who has in any way helped to promote the sport in this district.’’ DOUBLE DRAW NEXT MONOAV DONOVAN AND FRANKLIN. For Monday next the Napier Boxing Association has arranged a truly sensational contest between Donovan and Franklin. These two need little boosting. Franklin has fought his way to championship honours by the knockout route, and all those who have seen him know what a tornado he is. Donovan is and has always been fit and has been training all along, although he has not fought for two years. He has not lost one bit of his aggressiveness or his science and his work shows him to be a formidable as ever. Without a doubt this contest will be the best since the Dono-van-Leckie contest for the title. So keen has been the demand for seats from outside that the association has had to prepare a box plan so that seats can be reserved, at Napier, at Berry’s tobacconists, at Hastings, Donovan's tobacconists. The prices are .5s and 2s 6d; ladies, half pries. All plus tax.