YOUTH MOVEMENT STAGES FINE BOXING

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1947, Page 4

YOUTH MOVEMENT STAGES FINE BOXING

HATS'off to the Whangarei Catholic Youth Movement. In the Town Hall last night this organisation provided the best boxing fare seen in the district for many years. Its first tournament was an outstanding success in every way and the most commendable work which Mr Harry Hughes and his protegees have performed is deserving of the highest congratulation.

The house was three parts lull—it should have been packed to the doors if honest value in entertainment is what the public wants —and everybody present went home simmering with enthusiasm. In all bouts except two, Whangarei boxers were opposed by Aucklanders, and, naturally, t?ie rivalry was animated.

ducecl the best boxing' seen locally since before the war. OUTSTANDING BOYS

The outstanding boys of the night were C. Brennan and R. Dragicevich of Auckland, and L. Thompson, of Kamo. Brennan and Thompson turned on the best fight, and . Dragicevich impressed as a boy with a bright future in the game. The outstanding “baby” was J. McKendry. of Auckland. More purposeful boxing from a youngster would be difficult to imagine. Another similar type was ft. Benzley. of Whangarei . Unlike the little Aucklander, though, he was inclined to swing his punches. But both are most promising and, well coached may developed into worthwhile pugilists. A few of these who contributed to s a splendid programme have been mentioned. There were many others, and all did a grand job of work. A similar show on the part of the movement should draw a packed house, and before long amateur boxing should be placed back on the pedestal it occupied some years ago in Whangarei, when Harry Hughes himself was a star performer in the ring. The refere was Mr Harold Bcehre. THE RESULTS Details arc: M. T. Khan, 9.11 (Whg.) beat R. Harris, 9.5 (Auck.) on points. Khan, Whangarei Boys’ High School champion, a southpaw with a solid left, hammered the Aucklander with his main weapon and the claret flowed freely from the second round onward. Harris was game and was not afraid to mix it, but left himself open to Khan’s left. It was a good willing bcut and put the house in an excellent frame of mind. J. Sheehan, 6.10 (Whg.) beat H. Devlin, 6.9 (Auck.) on points. Persistent and effective use of a straight left to the head gave the Whangarei boy the advantage. Both lads showed excellent promise. P. Ashcroft, 5.0 (Whg.) drew with K. Locke, 4.12 (Auck.) These two midgets turned on a bright three rounds, each scoring with both hands and showing natural movement of ’ feet, body and head. E. Dennett, 6.6 (Auck.) beat D. Townley, 6.2 (Whg.) on points. Townley was aggressive, but Dennett used his longer reach to good effect and most of the local’s blows struck leather.

Some of the youngsters displayed extraordinary ability for their years, and even although glove on face left nc marks, their spirited efforts greatly pleased, the audience. The star bouts between the older and more experienced amateurs pro-

M. Taylor, 10.12 (Whg.) beat T. Rudolph, 10.10 (Auck.) on points. This bout was marred by excessive clinching and holding. Taylor, however, did better in the in-fighting and scored with straight lefts to the body and head to take a clear poin's decision. FROM THE SHOULDER J. McKendry. 5.12 (Auck.) beat I. Vitalii, 5.10 (Whg.) on points. McKendry was one of the most promis-j ing youngsters seen in a Whangarei ring for some years. He used a beautiful straight left that came right from the shoulder, followed with well-delivered right crosses and hooked effectively with both hands. He had the game Vitalii on the move most of the time, but the local was not afraid to trade blows in a losing effort and both earned the applause. T. Scott, 7.6 (Whg.) drew with R. Gould, 7.4 (Auck.) This was a great bout. Gould outboxed the local in ihc first two rounds but in the third Scott fought back and puched his opponent around the ring in thrilling fashion. The draw was a popular decision. MOST SCIENTIFIC C. Brennan, 9.4 (Auck.) beat L. Thompson, 9.10 (Kamo) on points. This was an outstanding bout. Both boys hit hard and often. Brennan showed greater experience and won with expert use of a beautiful right cross to the jaw. Thompson’s defence left a way open to this attack and Brennan used it frequently. Thompsdn, however, showed talent above the ordinary. There was not much in if as far as points disparity went. Brennan won the prize for the most scientific boxer of the tournament. He deserved it after beating Thompson.

D. Kruse 6.6 (Auckland) beat D. Brophy (5.10 (Whangarei) on points. Kruse was too clever for his opponent. Doing the aggressor throughout / and scoring with both-, hands, mostly to the head. Brophy was adjudged the gainest loser. E. Brown 11.0 (Whangr.rei) beyr E. Rudolph 11.6 (Auckland) on points. Rudolph had the advantage over the first two rounds but Brown carried

the fight to his opponent in the last. Brown scored with a left hook to the head and Rudolph used a right cross | eli'ectively in the early stages. Brown appeared lucky to get the decision. B. Donnelly 3.10 (Whangarei) beat G. Connell 3.10 (Hikurangi) on points. M. Brophy 4.7 (Whangarei) beat M. O’Boyle 4.4 (Auckland) on points. D. Hay 5.5 (Auckland) beat P. Dcrig 5.10 (Whangarei) on points. B. Crowley 6.5 (Whangarei) beat R. Guy 6.6 (Auckland) on points, i R. Beazley 5.9 (Whangarei) beat J. i Davey 5.12 (Auckland) on points. | W. Crowley 4.11 (Whangarei) beat ! J. Leathart 4.10 (Auckland) on points. I POLISHED EXHIBITION j R. Dragicevich 8.11 (Auckland) beat j J. Nicholls 8.10 (Whangarei) on points, i This was a good bout in which the ; j Aucklander displayed splendid boxing : j ability and also a powerful right hand.. Nicholls relied on. vicious swings and l j hurt his opponent with rights to the j j ribs. He misssed more often than not, ! j however, and as he did Dragicevich I scored with right crosses to the jaw. ; One of these put Nicholls down for 1 ! the count of seven in the second round, j ; The Aucklander also used a straight; [ left as a good points winner and altogether gave a polished exhibition. J. Kennedy 8.13 (Auckland) beat K. Lopes 9.4 (Auckland) on points.