BOXING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 168, 15 June 1928, Page 11

BOXING

AWAPUNI CLUB’S TOURNAMENT. AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. The fourth boxing tournament oi the Awapuni Amateur Atliletic Club, held last evening, was most suceesstui, some IXO visitors being present. Although termed only 12 months ago, the cluu, under tlie capable management ol Mr Reg. Maclue, lias mauo remarkable progress m advancing tlie fistic art locally, as was evidenced in the various bouts last evening. Managed oy horsemen for horsemen, ‘the club js tho only one ot its kind ln New Zealand, m addition to being the oniy open school in Palmerston North. Despite having liad only two months of training, tlie Feilding boys gave good exhibitions and the Awapuni and gahiatua exponents will shortly be called upon to defend their laurels in more strenuous style. The chief lau.it in the bouts, which were of three two minute rounds, was hitting with the open glove, and is a matter which needs correction.

In the K. Voitre (sst 61b.) —W. Broughton (sst 61b.) bout,' both boys were inclined to mix matters and gave a promising exhibition, displaying a good knowledge of footwork and defensive methods. Both traded punches effectively, but Broughton, being tlie more aggressive and showing better timing with his punches, gained the verdict.

Aiatched against C. Broughton (6st 121 b), R. Stratton (6st 101 b.), showed himself to be a clean, hard hitter with a good defence, but slightly slow in his footwork. Broughton had an advantage of a slightly longer reach and used it in holding his opponent off. Both exchanged right and lefts, Broughton having the better defence, Stratton, however, was seen to advantage in infighting and his aggressiveness gained him the decision.

J. Chapman (6st 7H>) had an advantage in weight and reach over S. Grenncll. (6st Mb), but the latter’s footwork frequently carried him out of trouble. Neither was afraid of milling, standing up to brisk exchanges, both clearly showing good defensive tactics. Their blows were fairly well timed, but both were apt to strike with the open glove. With little to choose between the-pair, a draw was a good decision.

Against J. Reilly (Feilding) Bst, T. Green, 7st 111 b, was aggressive from the gong, scoring heavily with uppercuts to the body and face. Reilly retaliated and his footwork saved him from punishment time and again, but his leads were wild, while ‘Green showed good timing. In closo exchanges, both traded blows which carried weight and a draw was a good decision. • •

The J. Warne (Feilding) 7st 81b— D. Heap, 7st 101 b bout was willing from tho i commencement. Heap was the more aggressive but Warne’s defence was sound and bis punches were better timed. Both stood toe to toe, trading effective blows, but again the open glove was evidenced. In footwork, Warne was the bettor of the two, although ho was loss ■ inclined to mix than was bis opponent. The decision in his favour, however, was deserved. Against D. Price (Feilding) 9st, C. Robinson, Bst 61b, put up a good exhibition, but, the former was too aggressive and his punches carried considerably more weight. In footwork, there- was little between them, but on defence Robinson was superior, although aptoto crouch too low. In timing’‘his blows, however, lie was inclined to "’lie slow, Price successfully avoiding punishment. The decision in the latter’s favour was merited.

Two Pahiatua ten-year-olds, Jimmy Kirk and Raul Robinson, for their age, gave, a very good display and the midgets showed that they had a good knowledge of the game. To see tho youngsters leading rights and lofts and Maintaining good guards was evidence of their knowledge and both exchanged punches with a will. I). Clinton .(Palmerston North) and J. Crowley (Pahiatua) gave an exhibition bout in which was displayed sparkling .glimpses of science. Clinton’s footwork was excellent in every respect, although he was slightly slower than Crowley in following up. The latter was seen to advantage in head and body leads, excellently timed, and his guard was sound. .Clinton scored with straight lefts and a speedy right and he effectively smothered. Crowley’s stance was the better of the two, but, in exchanging, there was little between them, while both were sound in defence. Two promising Pahiatua lads, J. Beech ancT E. Uxley, also provided an interesting bout and mixed matters with a will. Oxley, despite having been only two months in training, showed that his grip of the game is sound, and the same may bo said of Beech, who, however, was a trifle slower in his footwork. A common fault with both was the dropping of their guards, leaving tho point uncovered. Both can punch with effect and with good timing and demonstated an excellent styled in straight leads. With a little more finish, both should do well in amateur tourneys. Air D. Clinton was an impartial referee and Air J, YVeston-Smith was timekeeper.

SHOW TOURNAMENT DRAW. The following is the draw in the open amateur boxing tournament to be staged at the Showgrounds on Wednesday, June 20: — Fly-weight.—Sid Gray (Wanganui) v. C. Itobinson (Awapuni); lightweight. D. Price (Feilding) v. A. Candy (Palmerston North); heavy-weight, Brant (Palmerston North) v. Cutclli (Wanganui); welter-weight. B. O’Keefe (Palmerston North) v. J. Lockett (Wanganui); light-weight, A. Carton (Wanganui) v. S. Hogan (Dannevirke); bantam-weight, C. Warn (Feilding) v. D. Heap (Awapuni); light-weight, J. Beech (Pahiatua) v. Hogg (Wanganui); A. Paddy (Palmerston North) v. S. Sinclair (Foxton); middle-weight, Hepburn (Feilding) v. J. Barber (Foxton); Bird (Wanganui.) v. R. Holden (Pahiatua).; featherweight, Alu timer (Wanganui) v. Oxley (Pahiatua). FEATHERWEIGHTS FOR DUNEDIN. RADFORD AND HUGHES. DUNEDIN, June 13. Advice has been received by the Otago Boxing Association that when J. Kilmartin returns to Dunedin in the course ,of the next week or two, ho will probably bring with him two featherweights, Norman Radford, the clever Englishman, and Archie Hughes. Tommy Barber was expected to leave Australia for Dunedin on Thursday, but it is now anticipated that he will be a little later.