AMATEUR BOXING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 212, 7 August 1945, Page 6

AMATEUR BOXING

With the object of reviving interest in boxing in Palmerston North, the Manavvatii Boxing Association staged an amateur' tournament in the Opera House last evening and it proved to be an outstanding success. There was a very large attendance of appreciative spectators —they left no doubt that they enjoyed the bouts. An energetic committee had left no stone unturned to make the tournament a success and their efforts weic well rewarded. Excellent matching was witnessed, with some clever exhibitions of boxing mixed with hard slogging bouts, and the standard in most cases was high, proving the wisdom of the association in opening a gymnasium of its own and the fostering of others. It was particularly pleasing to see the large representation, from the Oliakea Air Station, and it was obvious that the sport has many followers there. Representatives were also present from the gymnasiums of the , association, Awapttni, and P. Chase. Now tliat a start has been made it will probably not bo long before the roped arena will again occupy the stage more often in the Opera House. J. Collins, a well-known amateur boxer who recently returned from the Middle East, was intrcMuccd to the crowd and it was stated that lie is turning professional, lie is a welterweight. The officials were: —Referees, Messrs G. Watchorn, C. Matson and E. Cook; announcer, Mr It. Morton; judges, Messrs T. Ross and E. Arnott; timekeepers, Messrs 1). Clark and W. Shearer; stage manager, Mr J. Purves; secretary, Mr A. J. Stirling. Trophies presented to the best loser and the boxer with the best straight left, by Messrs R. L. Aitchison and P. Gillespie, were won by M. Cole and V. J. Sellars, respectively. There were two special bouts. The main one was between C. Poster (11.1) and it. Luffimi (13.5). It was not a good match on account of the discrepancy in weight and it was not characterised by a great deal of action. Poster wisely kept away from his heavier opponent and Lulium was not prepared lo chase him. Lulium did most of the work and earned the decision for his aggression. Poster would do a good deal better against a man of equal weight.

The other special bout was between N. Hastings (8.6), of Palmerston North, and 11. Tyaok (8.10), of Wellington It was more m the nature of an exhibition and as such was very entertaining. The boys worked hard, but most of the work was done at short range, the clever boxing usually witnessed between boys of tliis weight being absent. It was fast enough and plenty of blows were exchanged, but Tyaek appeared to have the greater experience. Hastings was always willing anti a draw was a good decision.

Taken by and large, the association can safely say it has rehabilitated itself and as the public are now keenly looking forward to the next bout., the interest should not be allowed to, wane.

The results of the oilier bouts were :—ll. Stevens and R. Stevens (midgets) drew, R. Urwin (6.5) beat W. Boreham (6.9); A. Stevens (9.6) beat L. McDonald (9.6) on points; E. O’Brien (9.6) knocked out D. Edgar (9.6) ; R. Hannah (9.6) knocked out P. Brooks (9.4) ; G. McQueen (10.0) beat A. Upland (10.0), the latter being disqualified after several warnings regarding the use of the open glove; P. Qucenau (1*1.7) beat D. Shields (12.0) on points; A. Nelson (13.0) beat 'G. Chapman (13.0) on. points; 0.-'Dipstick (9.6) beat V. Toohey (9.y) on points; P. Robinson (10.0) beat K. Woods (10.0) on points; J. Oke (10.0) drew with R. Lane (10.0); V. J. Sellars (7.9) drew with J. Gardiner (8.0) * A. Pieldhouse (10.0) beat I. \\ bite (10.0) on points; J. Hannah (9.3) beat M. Colo (9.4) on points.