Donovan v. Leckie Fight on December 27

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7412, 20 December 1930, Page 23

Donovan v. Leckie Fight on December 27

TWO GOOD BOXERS AT THEIR BEST.

Tho fact that Johnnie Leckie and Tommy Donovan have been matched to fight in the Opera House at Palmerston North on Saturday evening, December 27 will be hailed with delight by the large following of boxing in the Manawatu district. In Donovan and Leckie, New Zealand has two really top-flight men and although the latter lias been seen in Palmerston North on other occasions Tommy Donovan will bo making his initial appearance. On tho first occasion that the pair met Lekie administered the sleeping draught in the unlucky 13th round while oil the second occasion the fight went the full distance with points even. When the title was at stake in Napier on November 29 Donovan weighed in at Bst 13Jlbs and Leckie 9st., the latter finding it .difficult to make down to featherweight. It was a match that evoked great enthusiasm, Donovan relying on boringin methods in his usual aggressive manner and Leckie standing up and shooting an artillery of snappy punches to the head and body. Donovan won the featherweight crown on this occasion but it is confidently expected that when they meet at cateh weights in Palmerston North on the Saturday following Boxing Day Leckie will give the tough Taranaki customer the liveliest forty-five minutes of his life. When Leckie crossed the Tasman to exchange punches with the best Australia could produce he was more than a match for anything put before him. On his icturn however the big programme brought on staleness and his last showing against Donovan seemed to indicate that the apathy was wearing off, and it is anticipated that when he enters the ring at Palmerston North on December 27 onee more the public will see a great little boxer at his best.