BOXERS DO WELL

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 217, 14 September 1936, Page 5

BOXERS DO WELL

N.Z. AT OLYMPIC GAMES NARROW DEFEATS ONLY COMPETITORS NOT DISGRACED According to Mr. M. Grace, of Wanganui, the New Zealand boxers at the Olympic Games did not disgrace themselves. Mr. Grace saw the contests at Berlin and states that the form of the New Zealanders was distinctly encouraging. When considering their performance, he says, one thing must be taken into consideration, namely, that they were somewhat unfortunate in drawing byes for the first round, states the London correspondent of the New Zealand Herald. This meant that, in the second round, they had to meet men who had already fought under Olympic conditions, which are in many ways unique, and ■ were placed at a not inconsiderable disadvantage. It was remarked by more than one that the men “seemed to go better” in their second matches. Gordon’s Performance

C. Gordon (feather-weight) was narrowly beaten by Karlsson, of Finland. In a lively fight he was defeated by one point only. Gordon led off well in the first round and "mixed it” in the infighting. Frequent orders were given by the referee to break. Points were divided equally in these clinches, both men scoring well with punches to the body. Gordon appeared to “slip” in the second round. He stopped a straight left from the Finn and found himself on the mat, but he was up soon and boxed on, appearing to be quite unaffected. Both men speeded up in the final round, being anxious to establish a lead.

“New Zealanders will offer condolences to Gordon on his defeat and realise that he was beaten by a very small margin,” commets Mr. Grace. “The world’s best amateurs appear to be very much in the same class, and in sixty fights there has been but one knock-out. Judges are often hard put to give a decision. One judge I am told, gave Gordon the decision, but the others decided against.” The same evening r. Arbuthnot fought Rodriguez (Argentine), who was beaten in the final of the Olympiad by Morgan eight years ago. Rodriguez was a difficult opponent for Arbuthnot, weaving in and out like an eel. Most of his punches carried little weight, but they allowed him to pile up points. He also succeeded in making Arbuthnot miss, and apparently has maintained the speed that enabled him to reach the previous Olympic final.

Whirlwind Belgians

The Belgians entered a team of whirlwind lighters, who threw defence to the winds and went at it ’harnmei and tongs” from the gong. Many cl them succeeded by these tactics and left the ring battered, but victorious. When their salmon-coloured singlets and shorts appeared the cr-nvd always looked forward to an interesting fight. Another very fit team were the Egyjjtlans. They trained for three months m a closely-guarded camp before they left for Berlin. They excelled in weight lifting, winning two gold medals, a silver and a bronze. Throughout one evening Empire supporters had a doleful experience watching ring B in the boxing stadium. There was almost a complete sequence of Empire losses. Out of six fights Empire men lost five, including Cook (Australia), Empire Games champion, and Arbuthnot. Leibbraut, the South African, was the only one to win. Fisher Beaten on Points Fisher was also narrowly beaten by another Argentinian, L. Oliver, on points. Both opened cautiously, and Fisher made the first offensive. Oliver attacked in turn, but on the whole the first round was rather a tame affair. It was won by Oliver by a narrow margin, and he also took the second round. Fisher made up ground in a faster third round, but not very much, and the New Zealanders awaited the verdict somewhat anxiously. Press accounts of the fight, issued in Berlin, were somewhat amusing. They read: —Lightweight: Fisher New Zealand)—Oliver (Argentine). Fisher has to retreat at foot skirmish. Oliver gets energetically to fore. Only in last round Fisher gets courage and so advances, but not enough to win. Winner on points: Oliver. And, hidden in the laconic statement, there was the downfall of New Zealand’s last hope. All her men fought well, although none managed to win, comments Mr. Grace. They were right up to class.

Disappointing Athletes

The athletes, other than Lovelock, were rather disappointing, he continues. There are factors that must be considered, however, One, for instance, is the lack of tracks in New Zealand. It was strange for the runners at first to find themselves on cinders. But their experience will stand them in good stead, and remain with them on their return.

After watching the rowing events, Mr. Grace makes the comment that, if New Zealand is considering sending a crew to the Next Olympic Games at Tokio, her rowing council might do well to reduce the length of the interprovincial eights to one and a-half miles. The Australians, for instance, he says, finished three good lengths behind the leaders at Berlin; but the crew appeared fit enough to row twice the distance. Compared with races in Australia and New Zealand, Olympic events are more like sprints.