N.Z. BOXER IN LONDON.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4230, 15 October 1935, Page 1

N.Z. BOXER IN LONDON.

+. MAURICE STRICKLAND’S AMBITION. Callers yesterday included Maurice Strickland, the heavy-weight champion of New Zealand, and iris manager, Billv Crawford, writes Trevor Wignall in the "Daily Express/’ of August 7. Strickland is a well-built youngster of twenty-two, and his record so far suggests that he is a very promising pros peed. He admits that his main object in coming to this country is to gain experience, but he is already willing to accept a match with anyone. He specifically mentioned George Cook and Don McCorkindale, but until he is properly acclimatised I think he would act more wisely if he restricted himself to contests with men not quite so high on the list as the Australian and the South African. Cook is admittedly a veteran, but he has proved over and over again that he knows too much for opponents of limited experience Strickland stands 6ft in height, and he weighs over 13st. When he was an amateur—he was born at Wairoa, but most of his life was spent in \\ ellington he had fifty bouts, and won the majority. Two years ago he turned professional, and his present record is sixteen fights, fourteen victories, eleven of which were with knock-outs, and two defeats. lie has held both the amateur and the professional titles of his country, but the battle he talked most about was that with Ambrose Palmer, the recognised heavyweight champion of Australia. It went the full distance Palmer being awarded the decision on points. Palmer has been promising to pay us a visit for years, but Strickland doubts whether he will make the journey now. He and his manager stressed the point that there is very little money in boxing in New Zealand. The controllers of the business are known as the New Zealand Boxing Association, and one of their rules appears to be that guarantees must be limited to £2OO, and that pugilists on percentage must split a purse of £l5O. That does not allow of any fortunes being made, but Strickland is naturally hopeful that after he has demonstrated his ability he will find it possible to improve his bank account. He does not expect to be paid thousands for his first appearances, but he does believe that as an official champion he should be given good engagements. This is his first visit to the homeland, and his greatest surprise to date is that we have a few training camps. 1 fear he will presently ascertain that sparring partners are almost as rare as places where fighters can be prepared.