JOHNNY LECKIE AND OTAGO BOXING HEADS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7018, 18 September 1929, Page 6

JOHNNY LECKIE AND OTAGO BOXING HEADS

Trouble Brewing

CHAMPION WILL FIGHT IN PALMERSTON NORTH

Ever since New Zealand’s champion, Johnny Leckie, returned from Australia, there have been indications that all is not well between him and the Otago Boxing Association, which fostered Johnny’s first rise to fame and incidentally found the process a safe and sure method of filling its coffers. If the tone of a wire received from Leckie by the Manawatu Boxing Association, can be taken as an indication, it will not be long before the trouble comes to. a head.

Bealising the asset that it had in Leckie, tho Otago body, with true Scotch canniness, placed a contract before the champion on his return from Australia and asked for his signature to an agreement in which Leckie gave his first three fights to Otago, with the option of three more. Whether or not Leckie signed that agreement, tho Otago Association took it as actual fact and informed the Manawatu Association that before obtaining Leckie’s services, the approval and sanction of the southern association must be obtained. It will be remembered that when Leckie passed through Palmerston North, after his return from Australia, he expressed his willingness to fight for tho Manawatu Association about the middle of the present month. Secure in Leckie’s promise, the Manawatu authorities put in train arrangements for the fight and cabled to Australia in an endeavour to bring over a suitable opponent. On discovering this projected arrangement, the Otago Association immediately informed tho Manawatu body, that as Leckie was under contract in Dunedin, the fight could not be staged without its consent. In view of Leckie’s promise, the Manawatu Association was at a loss to know whether to proceed with its arrangements. Then the annual conference of the New Zealand Boxing Association intervened and a remit was passed, making it compulsory for all associations to submit agreements held by them, to the parent body. Otago accordingly forwarded a copy of its alleged contract with Leckie to the New Zealand Association, which thereupon informed Manawatu that sanction would have to be obtained from Dunedin before Leckie could be matched in Palmerston North. In view of the tone of the letters which passed between the two associations and the desire of the southern association to protect its alleged rights, it is more than unlikely that any such sanction would have been received from Otago. Efforts to obtain an Australian opponent having failed and in view of the Otago Association’s opposition, the Manawatu Association was on the point of “throwing in tho towel” and leaving Leckie to the southern association.

Then, apparently unaware of the dispute afoot, Johnny wired the Manawatu Association, to know* whether all arrangements were O.K. for his fight in Palmerston North on September 20. The association immediately informed him of the position and in reply received the following wire:

‘‘Dunedin evidently put one across me. Ido not intend boxing for them, although I wrote to them tc-day telling them what I thought about it. If you arrange anything for me, I will bo there.” —Johnny Leckie.

Prom this telegraphed communication - it is very evident that Leckie is no willing partner to Otago’s contract and intends to live up to his promise to fight in Palmerston North in defiance of the southern association.

• The reasons for Johnny’s dissatisfaction are stated to be manifold, but the chief complaint which ho has lodged has been in connection with his recent tight with Shack in Dunedin on August 29. Prior to this contest, Leckie asked the Otago Association for a postponement, as he was suffering from the effects of ’flu'and dry pleurisy. The association promptly went into arithmetical gymnastics and decided that the expense of a postponement would bo considerable, therefore Leckie must fight, whatever his state of health. To make a long story short, Leckie fought and from his showing, was tpiite justified in his request for a postponement. True, he beat Shack but it was only because he rose superior to adversity. According to the alleged contract between Otago and Leckie, the second fight under the agreement was to have taken place at Dunedin on September 12. So far, tho fight has not eventuated and apparently if Leckie has anything to do with it, it will not do so. In the meantime, Johnny is recuperating at Palmerston South and intends laying the whole facts of the case before the New Zealand Boxing Association without delay. Meanwhile, the Manawatu Association intends to pursue its intention of matching Leckie in Palmerston North as soon as possible.