MANAWATU BOXING ASSOCIATION

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3626, 16 June 1927, Page 14

MANAWATU BOXING ASSOCIATION

CHAMPIONS FOR 1927. DECIDED IN EXCELLENT TOURNEY. The Manawatu Boxing Association amateur champions for 1027 were decided last night* when a number of very interesting bouts wore staged. A great deal of credit for the success of the tourney must be given to the able secretary, Mr. J. Purvis, who was indefatigable and had every detail arranged for the comfort of boxers and patrons. Mr. J. Stone, the ringside steward, was also much in evidence, and. to him also merit for the success of the tourney must be awarded. During the evening, Mr. J. A. Nash. M.P., extended to the Boxing Association the thanks of the A. and P. Association for conducting the tourney during the Winter Show to the detriment of their own funds. To Messrs. Purvis and Merton, he made special reference, saying that the success of the tourney was wholly due to those gentlemen. The A. and P, Association recognised the good work the tourney had done for them, and ho called for cheers, which were lustily given. Mr. J. C. L. Merton. In reply, said that anything the Boxing Association had done had been done willingly and they would always be pleased to assist With the Show in any way possible. He made special reference to the Filipino boxer, Salvino Jamito, who fought an exhibition bout with Waldln. The two occasions on which Jamito had fought in Palmerston North had been for charity, one occasion being for the Mayor’s unemployment fund, which netted a total of £l3O. A towel was placed in the ring and a collection taken, the proceeds being handed to Jamito. Mr. Merton extended Jamito’s thanks for the spontaneous gift. A most enjoyable exhibition each night was a meeting .of the paperweights, Steer Eros., who delighted the large crowd with their willing go. J. Evans (8.2) v. S. Gray (7.7). Evans drew a bye in the preliminaries on Tuesday evening, and his task with Gray was not anticipated to be a serious one. The first round was fast and furious, Evans’ ring experience giving him advantage. Clinching was rather too much in evidence throughout the first two rounds. Gray having the worst of matters when the lighting was brought close. Gray wiaa not hitting cleanly, depending too much on swinging, and the only possible decision went to the holder of the title for 1926, Evans.

McCandy (6.7) v. X. Powell (5.10). Candy foixed the pace for a while In the opening stages, but Powell’s everlasting coolness soon asserted itself ,and he had a slight advantage when the bell sounded. The second round was productive of little of an exciting nature, but both got to work with gusto early in the final. The interchange of blows in the round was of such an even nature as to warrant the referee raising aloft the glove, of each to the delight of the public. K. Havill (11.8) r. B. Meads (11.8). This was the only bout in the light heavies, and it proved to be b>ief and to the point, Meads getting the decision after about six seconds’ fighting. Meads walked and met Havill with a straight right. Body blows from each quickly followed and Havill went down hurt, but not knocked out, taking th< full count. S. Hayes (9.ll*)'r. W, Gray (0,10). This proved to be a good go and each followed up lefts and rights from the sound of the gong. Gray had re. cently fought a hard semi-final and was not as fresh as he might have been. He was landing heavy blows during the second round, but he was tiring at the end of the second rosmd. Hayes attacked strongly in the finai round, and had Gray ducking to evade punishment. Hayes, however, was hitting with the open glove, and could not have got the decision. ! The New Champions. Fly-weight: S, Gray, Wanganui. Bantam : J. Evans, Levin. Feather : H. Forward, Wanga'nui. Light: W. Gray, Wanganui. Welter: B. O’Keefe, Palmerston North. Light heavy B. Meads, Bulls.