O ’BRIEN-BROADFOOT FIGHT CANCELLED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6918, 25 May 1929, Page 6

O ’BRIEN-BROADFOOT FIGHT CANCELLED

FORMER DEFAULTS OWING TO ILLNESS. EFFORT TO MATCH BERT BROWN IN PALMERSTON N. Following a message received from Roy O’Brien yesterday, tho Manawatu Boxing Association has been regretfully compelled to cancel the professional contest set down between O’Brien qnd Jim Broadfoot at Palmerston North on June 3. O’Brien wired the secretary of the association (Mr. Jim Evans) that ho had contracted a severe attack of influenza, which would prevent his fulfilling his engagement, and later supplemented his message over the ’phone when he stated that the severe strain of pulling his weight down for his recent meeting with Artie Hay in Wellington had been responsible for his break-down. O’Brien certainly undertook a severe task for he landed in New Zealand weighing 11 stone 2 lbs., which he had reduced to 9.8 i when he fought Hay. He leaves by the Marama to-day for Australia. Although fight fans will naturally bo disappointed at the cancellation of tho June 3 attraction, the association has a contest of exceptional promise in view for the end of next month. This is in the matching of Bert Brown, the clever young Palmerstonian who has achieved such success in tho States and Canada, and Jack Roberts, tho light-weight knock-out king of Australia.' Palmerston North boxing enthusiasts do not need to be reminded of Bert Brown’s success abroad, which saw him, among other triumphs, secure the decision over Bobby Garcia, contender for world light-weight honours. Roberts also requires little attention, for ho has a striking record as a brief and bright workman. So liberally sprinkled is his record with knock-<»tit3 that he has earned the sobriquet of “One Round Roberts.’’ He will fight Babe Hermann, the American knockout artist, in Sydney to-night. During the week a cable was received from Bert Brown, stating that he proposed to spend a holiday in Palmerston North shortly and asking whether a light could be arranged for him during his stay. The association, realising the draw .that Brown will constitute, is offering big inducements for the matching with Roberts. At present no finality can be reached until the latter replies to the association’s offer for a match.

GILLESPIE ANNEXES LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE. BILLY JONES OUTPOINTED. . Received Saturday, 2 a.m. SYDNEY, May 24 At the Leichhardt stadium to-night, in a fight for the lightweight championship of Australia, Norman Gillespio, of Victoria, won the title from Billy Jones, after 15 splendid rounds. The latter was outpointed.