JOCK McAVOY

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 44, 22 February 1936, Page 9

JOCK McAVOY

BACK HOME IN ENGLAND TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS PUDDING . ; DESIRE TO BE WITH HIS FAMILY “I have come home to England to share a belated Chrismas pudding wth my children,” was the homely, explanation of Jock McAvoy, Britain’s champion middle-weight, when Geoffrey Simson, of the London Daily Mail, greeted him on his arrival in London on JanJanuary 1 from New York ‘‘And a Chrismas cake, too. Here it is—all the way from Broadway,” he added pointing to a package under his arm. .

Everyone has been mysified by McAvoy's sudden return to England after trouncing the two bets middle-weight fighters in the States—but there is nothing more behind it than a desire to celebrate the New Year by his Rochdalo fireside. ‘‘Yes, it’s Rochdale or me to-night,” he volunteered. I’m leaving right now and -will stay there for about three weeks. Then it wil be an Atlantic liner for me and the missus once more.” Mrs. McAvoy was with him, looking radiantly happy. Her husband looked tired and pale. ‘‘Jock has not been himself lately,” she explained. “He had a nasty cold on him when ho fought Eisko, and has been unable to shift it. lie has had little sleep on the way over. He is a bit homesick I think,” It is the first time McAvoy has spent Christmas away rom his three children, and while negotiations were pending for his world cruiser-weight championship match with John Henry Lewis he thought it would be a good idea to slip home for a spell. “And you will really get the flight?” asked Mr. Simpson. McAvoy's reply was comforting. “It is only a question of date and terms. Madison Square Garden wants the fight. My manager is on the spot making final arrangements, an I shall get a cable from him shortly.” • A representative of a London fight

syndicate was there with a proposal for a contest here 'between IvlcAvoy and Marcel Thil for the middleweight title. This is the match Jell Dickinson is interested in, too. I had not been with McAvoy long, however, before ho convinced me that he was not interested at the moment in Thil. “The big prize for me is on the other side,” he said. : Surely it is a greater thing to win the cruiser-weight championship kdass' than one in a lighter class! “Besides, the Lewis match is definite, and I have given my word to the Garden people that I wil go back. “But do not make the mistake of thinking that- I cannot do t'lio middle poundage any longer. I weighed 12st. against Bisko because of my cold. Then the photographers commandeered McAvoy, who showed a nice sense of humour by providing the right domestic touch for the picture. His children were in Rochdale so he borrowed one. Picking up a small girl who was no . relation to him, he nursed her in front of the cameras!