RINGSIDE GOSSIP

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 277, 23 November 1935, Page 10

RINGSIDE GOSSIP

OLYMPIC NOMINATIONS THREE CANDIDATES NAMED BUT ONE TO BE DROPPED, TRIAL FOR GORDON AND FISHER, (By C.H.8.) As indicated in this column recently tlio New Zealand Boxing Council has definitely decided to nominato three amateurs —T. Artbuthnot (Wellington) N. Jrisher (Christchurch) and 0. Gorclou (’i'Vanaki) —for inclusion in tho Olympic Games team to go to Berlin next year. However, it is more thau likely that tho boxing representation will actually be only two, either Fisher or Gordon being eliminated. It so happens that the three nominees represent the three divisions from foather to welter and in actual fact •there is not a great deal of difference in tho weights of Gordon, who is near the limit of the featherweight division, and Fisher, who is a very light lightweight. J.t has boon the invariable experience of the past that athletes increase in weight in travelling overseas and in the past it has boon the policy of the N.Z.B.C. to take this factor in account by nominating its representative in their natural divisions and also the devisions immediately above, so that any increaso in weight will not debar a representative at the Games from competing on this score. Overcoming an Obstacle. There is one obstacle, however, that is affected by this procedure and that is that no country can enter two candidates in any one class, hence it is not possible to enter Gordon in the featherweight and lightweight classes because Fisher is the lightweight representative. The probabilities are, thcretorc, that either Gordon or Fisher will be dropped. This is decidedly unfortunat.o as one is the present Jamieson Belt holder and the other is the immediate past holder, which means that both are outstanding boxers, each having gained the distinction of being considered the most scientific boxer at a National championship. Apart from this aspect ouch has other outstanding qualifications and tho only way to decide which should bo selected seems to bo to put them into tho ring to lot them decide tho point themselves. Hawera have even gone so far as to commence negotiations towards this end with a view to staging tho fight as a preliminary to the Stirling-llutchins on Decemb Qr 4.

Why Only One Trial? One naturally wonders why such an important issue as representation at Olympic Gamos should be decided on only one contest, especially when the candidates are of tho calibre as Gordon and Fisher. Tho writer suggests that tho best of three contests would afford more satisfaction and provided a more accurate lead as to the merits of the respective candidates. Then again tne contests should not be staged in cither home town, or if they are, then the odd contest of tho throe, if honours aro event for the first two meetings, should bo fought in neutral territory. In ovory case, too, tho New Zealand Boxing Council should appoint tho roferoe and judges. Such a scries of contests would give a great fillip to tho sport and every contest should prove a great attraction. ■

Busy Month Ahead. A marked improvement is to be noted inthe activity of associations in Now Zealand and quite a number of promising contests havo been promoted, or tentatively arranged. This week three fights were set down for hearing and when these notes appear two will havo been decided, the third one being tho lightweight championship contest at Eltham this evening when Jack Jarvis will defend, for the first time, his title, against Clarrie Raynor. It will bo recalled that when this pair met before the Tarauakian secured the title on a disquaUfication at a most interesting stage of . the contest. Auckland will bo staging a contest on (December 2, between Val Luttrell, heavyweight title contender and Stove Wells, who will be making his debut as a professional after being undofeated as an amateur in Auckland. Efforts are being made to havo Arbutlinot, the Wellington nominee bout at this fixture. Hutchins, who meet tho ex-Marton representative, Mark Candy, at Wanganui last night, is due to meet tho former welierweignt champion at Hawera on December 4. Two days later at Hastings, Billy Aitken, -whose suspension has now been lifted, will fight Billy McKay, this being a return of tho recent Auckland matching. Manawatu aro reported to set for a light-heavyw eight championship contest between Ray Nicol, who earlier this week defeated Billy Pascoo at Invercargill, and Harold Reeve, who to date has not been defeated since turning professional. The Pahiatun lad, too, is eagerly looking for a chance to meet O’Brien, for tho middleweight title, which was not at stake when Reeve scored his sensational knock-out at Pahiatua recently.