BOXING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 200, 24 July 1926, Page 7

BOXING.

DISPLAY BY PUPILS. SOME STIRRING BOUTS. The art of boxing, in common wifti other branches of sport, experiences its ups and downs ana, while schools have come and gone following hut a comparatively brief lease of life, that of W. Walden, the former amateur wel-ter-weight champion, promises to enjoy a flourishing future. Last evening that mentor _ staged a display, when there were eight bouts by his pupils, patrons being furnished with some excellent sparring, which disclosed that quite a wealth of talent was in existence locally. Proceedings were entered upon,with the matching of a pair of paper-weights in C. Jones and N. Powell, the former having an advantage in weight and reach. Powell opened aggressively, but as the bout* progressed Jones be-, came better in his connections and won through against his plucky diminutive opponent. The mill between E. Downes and P. Smith, who each tipped the beam at 9.13, opened very attractively, but it was early seen that Downes was out to force the issue and, using both hands to good effect, he ran up points. _ While Smith evaded many of the deliveries, those blows which found their objective carried weight and sting, and a right swing finally sent him to the floor for nine in the second round, while he regained his feet only to be immediately floored again. Although the bell saved him, the towel came from Smith’s corner. Downes showed himself to be a 'vastly improved exponent since last seen in public. Stewart (9.10) was conceding J. Strange 41bs, but he entered upon his task with plenty of confidence and, getting in between his opponent’s guard, registered several connections. However, Strange returned the compliment with interest in the second round, and made up the leeway, apparently having his opponent in a bad way at the close of the round. A little misunder-

standing ensued between the referee and Stewart, and the bout threatened to come to an abrupt termination, but it was carried through to conclusion, the third round finding Strange making repeated connections with straight lefts to the face, and hb ran out a good winner. While scientific boxing was not the forte of either of the principals in a three-round bout between L. Page (8.6) and Thornton (8.2), the onlookers were fully amused, for the lighter and smaller boy pursued his opponent persistently without effecting anv material damage. Most of the exchanges were effected at long range, and more-Npften than not with the open glove. Bago mixed things more willingly in the third and final round, but the verdict went to Thornton. A different state of affairs was forth- ' coming at the meeting of Candy and Hertzel, whose weights were announced at 9.13, for the pair opened briskly, swapping blows freely, but as the bout progressed Candy played Iris left to good effect and, intermingling his blows with an occasional right swing, secured the upper hand and ran out a good winner. It was a willing bout between two promising boys. The meeting of two Wellington visitors in J. Carruthers (12.9) and Byrne (10.13) proved somewhat farcical, for the heavy man merely played his way through the three rounds, Iris connections lacking sting, save an occasional one which was delivered apparently by accident, and he appeared surprised when his lighter, but more vigorous, opponent was given the verdict.

Another catch-weight bout was forthcoming when R. Potbury (8.12) opposed Paddy (8.2), an alteration in the programme necessitating the matching of the pair. While Paddy opened in promising manner, his more experienced opponent forced matters as the bout progressed, and piled up the points. It was, however, a no-decision bout.

The evening’s entertainment was brought to a close with an exhibition bout between Byrne, who had previously appeared,, and Walden, the mentor of the majority of the participants. The pair were content to take matters quietly for the first round, Walden displaying wonderful speed in his footwork. In the closing rounds the pace quickened and the pair wore seen to good advantage, It was a fitting termination to an interesting evening. Mr J. Uouisson fulfilled the duties of referee, while Messrs J. Phelan and J. Purves were announcer and timekeeper respectively. In one bout Mr Louisson retired in favour <ff Mr G. Watchorn, but the latter gentleman was not set a difficult task, as it proved.