WITHIN THE RING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 179, 30 June 1937, Page 3

WITHIN THE RING

TOMMY FARR’S PROGRESS

CONTEST IN AUGUST

(By “Ringsider.”)

The career of Tommy Farr, the Welsh boxer who, according to the latest advice, has been engaged to meet Max Schmeling in London in August, lias been nothing short of meteoric, by comparison with the plodding progress registered by the majority of heavyweights in search of title bouts. He is a native of Tonypandy, a Welsh town, whore his boxing successes have become the major topic of conversation. He is, indeed, to Tonypandy what Tom Heeny was to Gisborne in the days of his fistic prominence. It is only two months since Farr defeated Max Baer, ex-champion of the world, at the Harringay. Stadium, England, before 14,000 spectators. That was the match which set his feet definitely on the road to the highest boxing honours.

i There was not much between the two ; men in physique and reach, but there \ was a wide margin between them in ! boxing skill, and Baer is reported to have lost every round. Farr’s form was a revelation, and the cheers of the spectators constantly threatened to drown the voices of ringside commentators who entertained the huge radio audience. After the match Baer pro--1 phesfed that Farr would heat Walter ' Neusel, the German champion. A month after the Baer fight Farr proved that ; Baer was a good judge, for he knocked | out Neusel in the third round of their i fight, showing remarkable speed and skill. Farr has now a championship j contest in sight and is 1 a successor to i Phil Scott, whoso contests in America were so disappointing to the English j public, as they were what really might jhe termed failures. ; A Gymnasium Addict,

“King Kong” Cox. the American | wrestler, has included in his victims ; Huns Steinkc, one of wrestling’s really | tough figures, while he has drawn with ! Dick Shikat in a world title bout, land has beaten Gus Soniienburg, Dr. ! Carl Surpolis, Howard Cantomvine, and | many more. Cox is an enthusiastic adherent of the cult of physical fitness, and during the run down the Pacific aboard tlie Aorangi lie aroused the

wonder of the other passengers by the attention he paid to his training, both in the gymnasium and in circumnavigating the deck before breakfast, as well as at other times. Even the hottest ■weather in the tropics could not keep him in check. Going To Gisborne. Advice has been received by the Gisborne Boxing Association that Jerry Leonard, welterweight champion of Queensland, will leave Sydney on July 3 and will proceed to Gisborne, where he will fight under the auspices of the local association. Leonard, who is 21 years of age, is a very capable boxer and lias successfully defended his Queensland title against the leading boxers in the State. Meeske And Maori.

Jeering, “counting out,” and the throwing of pennies into the ring were some of the manifestations of disapproval of Sydney patrons at the wrestling match between Billy Meeske (15.10) and Hori Tiki (16.10), a giant Maori, at the Fitzroy Stadium recently. Meeske was awarded a decision on points after each man had gained a fall. Meeske, once the idol of wrestling enthusiasts, gave a poor display. World Lightweight Title. Lou Ambers (New York) successfully defended his world lightweight title against Tony Canzonieri, the ItalianAmerican former holder, at Madison Square Garden in May. Canzoneri won three only of the lo rounds, a decisive check to his “come-back” aspirations. From the start Ambers set a pace that proved much too fast for liis veteran opponent. Long before the finish Oanzonieri was in distress, only his brilliant ringcraft and bis rival’s lack of a finishing punch, prevented a finish inside the distance.

New Boxing Weights. The Australian British Empire Games Organising Council has received from the parent body the new international boxing weights for amateurs. They appear very fantastic, as a comparison with the old weights, appearing in brackets, will show: Fly-weight (Bst), Bst 01b 6oz; bantam (Bst 61b), Bst 71b; feather (O.st), 9.->t lib 3oz ; light (9st 91b), 9st 1011) lOoz; welter (lOst 71b), 10st 71!) lloz; middle (list 61b). list 61b looz; light-heavy (12st 71b) 12st 81b ooz. Apparently the odd ounces have occurred through converting foreign weights into the English rule. They will apply to the Empire Games.