RINGSIDE GOSSIP

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

RINGSIDE GOSSIP

NEW CHAMPION RISES HAROLD REEVE COLLECTS TITLE. NIOO-L PLAYS TOO SAFE. ■ (By C.H.8.) For the second time in the one week a new champion was crowned, the latest boxer to be sitting atop of his division in New Zealand being Harold Reeve, .the Pahiatua, light-heavyweight, who relieved Ray Nicol, of Southland, of the championship title. 'Contrary to the usual experience, the many delays and postponements did not affect public attention, rather it would seem to have only increased interest, for there was a packed house. Such a success for their iirst venture will set the newly-formed Pahiatua Boxing Association firmly on their feet. Although the fight itself lacked colour, it was interesting throughout, as there was always the possibility of a knockout being accomplished, though actually this did not materialise, the bout going the full distance for the youthful challenger ,to secure the honours on points. * * » • Fighter v. Boxer. The direct contrast of styles had something to do with the fact that the contest was colourless. It was essentially a case of a fighter versus boxer, and though the latter came off second best in this particular instance there was really little between the two and probably a return fight would find Nicol come out on top should he last out the journey. Reeve set the pace throughout and it was his very aggressiveness that gave him the deciding points. Considering that he was giving away a stone in weight ,actually he was just outside the middleweight limit) and was tackling perhaps the most experienced boxer in action today. y * * * A Meritorious Performance. Reeve performed with considerable merit for in addition he suffered the added disadvantages of reach and height and he was fortunate that in this respect the champion did not make full use of his assets. Nieol appeared set on one thing, avoiding a knock-out, aud he gave only one possible chance, this in the eighth session, but he had already taken a bit of the sting out of tho punch with his back-moving. He spent his time on wearing down his man with a steady stream of welldirected blows but he was unable to successfully accomplish his objective. Had he discarded his caution he would propably have met with more success, for had he crowded his man more he would undoubtedly have hustled his more inexperienced opponent. Nicol had held the title for about four years, during which period he has also won and lost the heavyweight title.

Knock-out Kings. Leo Kelly’s succession of knock-outs at t'he Sydney Stadium—five in a row —set 'a group talking of others who had done likewise in equal or less degree, Milburn Saylor, in particular, says an Australian writer. “One of the early crop of Americans, he made a bet—as Jack Munro reminded me that he would k.o. his -first-five oppr* ents. This he accomplished, with .the aid of the rabbit punch. However, he was outpointed by Fred Kay, who boxed (rather than fought) on the retreat. And,, as Milburn commented wryly before he left the ring; “I’ll, back that guy to race backwards against anyone in the world.’’ # * * • American Middleweights. In _ the middleweight division in America there has been considerable changes of title-holders during the past dozen years. In 1924 the late Harry Greb, called the “iron-man of the King” (he hailed from Pittsburg), won the title from Johnny Wilson, of New York. Then Tiger Flowers, splendid coloured boxer, won the championsnip from Greb on points in 1926 and two months later Greb died from the effects of an operation. In December of the same year Mickey Walker won the title from Flowers in Chicago on a points dcision, 10 rounds. Walker retired as champion in 1931 to enter the heavyweight ranks. A tourney was held in Milwaukee in 1931, and Gorilla Jones emerged as winner. Jones went to Paris and fought Marcel Thil for world’s title and lost. Later he was vacated by the N.8.A., and Ben Jeby and Lou Brouillard met for the title, which Lou won. That was in 1933. Then came Vince Dundee to beat Brouillard, but in September of 1934 Teddy Yaxosz won it from Dundee. Yarosz was beaten by Babe Ris-ko in a non-title match at Scranton, Pa., January, 1935, and did not defend it until the match with Risko again in Pittsburg, which he lost.

Camera’s Record? “Yesterday’s main laugh was supplied by Primo Garner a,” states an overseas writer. He declared that his term of conscriptipn by Italy was ended, and that he would sail for New York. His term, under a fortnight, must be one of the shortest on record—but perhaps Mussolini discovered that the building of his boots and uniform was too costly an item. As usual, Carnera mentions .that he is hot on the trail of James J. Braddock and Joe Louis. He might be able to stand up for a space against the veteran champion, but if he is again matched with Louis he will at once join the ranks of those who in America are now known as “The Condemned Men.”