FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1919, Page 5

FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.

W. Oliver, who is to meet Len Robinson in Whangarei on November 21st, for the featherweight championship of New Zealand, has some warm supporters on the West Coast. Writing of the meeting with Goodman at Gieymouth one of these gen tlemen says: The professional bout between the two featherweights, A, Goodman (Dunedin) and W. Olliver, (Auckland) went the full fifteen rounds, and the contest was so close that the referee was unaible to separate the two men, and declared the result a draw. It was a decision that did not find favour with some of the audience who favoured Olliver. Goodman was the more aggressive of the twa, and did most of the attacking. He, however, does not appear to have any variety in his attack, and seems to prefer to endeavour to land with the left, and then get to close quarters. When he is indulging in infighting he brings the right over with some effect. Olliver is one of the cleverest boxers seen here for some time. His footwork is a delight to watch. The way he evaded some of Goodman's attacks aroused great enthusiasm. He was giving away nearly half a stone, but he was by no means dis concerted, and fought coolly from start to. finish. He has a beautiful sinister weapon, and he scored with it with great regularity. He also uses left and right uppercuts with good effect: Both lads were punished severely about the face, but they fought very cleanly and pluckily. Goodman's only fault is that he has a bad habit of imprisoning his opponent's arm when hotly pressed. The earlier rounds were in Goodman's favour but towards the end Olliver made up the lost ground and in the last round he got all .over his opponent. Another Coaster critic writes: The much anticipated meeting between Alf Goodman and Billy Olliver is now a thing of the past but the decision as given by Referee Nash, wa_. most unsatisfactory. The description of the fight itself is given above, therefore any additional comment in that direction is unnecessary, except to say that Goodman fought a good, game fight against his younger, faster, and more scientific opponent. The footwork of Olliver alone was a treat to watch, and I think I am justified fin saying was the finest exhibition thereof shown in a local hall for many years. The second and ninth rounds were decidedly Goodman's, while the first and third appeared fairly even, the remaining rounds all going to the Aucklander, some with & good margin to spare. At the end of the 15 rounds the audience rose and cheered both lads for the game when they fully grasped the. decision of Referee Nash the cheers were reversed to hoots, practically every man in the hall expressing disgust at the decision. A large numlber re ■mained behind in an endeavour to try and gain some explanation for the reason why the referee gave a draw in a fight, that was plainly evident, to anyone having only a slight knowledge of the rudiments of boxing, had been fairly and squarely won by Billy Olliver.