BOXING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13501, 27 July 1907, Page 8

BOXING.

Mr. V. -D. ■ Yongo has accepted the position of secretary to the Northern Boxing Association. The provincial amateur-boxing championships jp&ncdlast Monday evening, in the. Royal Albert Hall, under the auspices of the Northern Boxing Association. Good entries were received and interesting contest were witnessed in each division, the audience- being thoroughly satisfied with the excellent hill of fare provided. Some novices were, .seen on the board*,, and although their display was poor they deserve encouragement. Ward, last year's champion, was, defeated in the bantam-weight division, and 'I'. Lewis created somewhat of a surprise by his fine display and victory against 11. McNeil in the heavyweights. The finals will ho decided on Monday next, and a good evening's sport should result. Considerable surprise will be evinced iii sporting circles over the contents of » cable message received by Mr. John Wren from " Bill" Squires, who was recently defeatedfor the championship of the world by Burns (says an Australian exchange). The cable stated:—"Earnestly request bo released from contract. Desire retirement." Mr. Wren stated that he did not intend to reply to Squires' cable for a few days. He would allow him time to alter his mind, but if ho got no further cable on the subject he would send a reply releasing him from his contract. The. contract was for 18 months, dating from the time of Squires' landing in America. He had, of course, lost consider-, ably over his venture in sending Squires to America, but minded that not so much as Squires' defeat. When he offered £500 and the whole of the gate to Burns-to give Squires ;i return match he never dreamt, for a moment that Squires would not Iks agreeable. He thought that Squire's' determination to retire might be influenced by the roasting" ho was certain to have got from the American newspapers, owing to the poor right he put up. Squires has not done any work as a miner for two years, but. if ho retired from the boxing ring he would, lie , supposed, return to the mines at Newcastle. .Mr. Wren was sorry thai, Squire* would not allow himself another opportunity of showing that he was a better boxer than his form | against Burus made him out to be.