RAYNER BEATS AITKEN

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 90, 16 November 1936, Page 2

RAYNER BEATS AITKEN

BLENHEIMITE JUST TOO FAST Clarrie Rayner scored his second consecutive win over Billy Aitken, of AVellington, when he gained the decision on points on AVednesday night at His Majesty’s Theatre, Blenheim, over 15 three-minute rounds for a purse of £BO. AVhen originally negotiated for by the Marlborough Boxing Association the bout had been keenly anticipated, interest having been whipped up to a high pitch as the result of a good deal of newspaper controversy, but it was evident from the paucity of the attendance that the gilt had been taken off the ginger-bread as far as Blenheim was concerned by the fact that the two boxers had already been brought together at AVellington this season. However, from the boxing point of view, there was still sufficient local interest in the match, particularly as Aitken continued to maintain his ability to defeat the Blenheim man; and the bout, both on paper and in actuality, justified far more supoprt than it was accorded. The attendance was extremely disappointing, but those who took advantage of the fixture were rewarded with a good clean match, in which the best sportsmanship prevailed throughout, while both men mixed science with exciting rallies of heavy two-handed fighting. It was a hard contest in every sense of the word, but at the same time characterised by clever work and with the weight going into everything from the first gong. There was no question about the keenness of the boxers, but their rivalry at all times was kept within due bounds and there was nothing whatever to which exception could be taken. This was particuarly pleasing in view of the circumstances

of Rayner’s bouts with the Australian, Joe Hall, and ‘many of those present were caused to wonder at the real cause of the “rough house’ ’tactics that have been a feature of the Hall-Rayner clashes.