BOXING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15349, 9 July 1913, Page 6

BOXING.

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS.

CONTESTS AT TOWN HALL.

There was an attendance of about 1500 at the Town Hall last evening, when the preliminary bouts of the provincial amateur boxing championships were decided. The takings amounted to about £100. The bouts were scheduled to last three rounds, but several were of shorter duration, there being three or four knockouts. There was not a great deal of scientific boxing, but most of the contestants were keen, and practically every bout was "willing." Capital arrangements were made by the Northern Association, under whose auspices the tournament was held, there being no waiting between the contests. The programme was a very lengthy one. the final boat ending just after midnight. The referee's and judge's duties were carried out by Messrs. H. A. Keesing. F. Burns, and F. Dyer, and not a single decision was questioned. Details are as follows :— The Bantam-Weights. R. Conway (Bst and "W. Allan" (Bst lib) set the ball rolling in this class. The bout was all over in £'s. Conway, dashing in, putting his man out with a right. cross. " P. Mackay " (Bst 21b) v. "B. Vassett " (Sst lilb). Mackay did most of the lead-, ing, but his attack lacked variety, and Vassett took the greater part of it on his glove. Vassett scored well, especially in the last round, but., to the surprise of the audience, the verdict went to Mackay. The Feather-Weights. "G. Rivers" (9st) and S. Dowsing (Bst 101b) were the first of the. feather-weights. Rivers commenced well, but lacked staying power. Dowsing having all the best of rounds two and three, and gaining the decision. E. Russell (Bst lOJlb) v. G. Brown (Bst 1211b). Russell, who looked much the sturdier of the two, did most of the leading in the first two rounds, and scored well. Brown, however, brought all his guns into play in the third, and levelled • up matters to such an extent that an extra round was ordered. This was a very willing round, and roused the spectators to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Both men gave and took a lot of punishment, and Brown eventually gained the verdict. aP* though the decision met with a very mixed reception. F. Stanley (9st) v. S. Whalley (Bst 131b). Stanley flattered his supporters in the first round, but he was severely punished in the second and third rounds. After Stanley had measured his length on the floor three times in the final round, the contest was stopped. Whallev an easy winner. A. Bennetts (Bst 101b)"v. "L. White" (9st). A most interesting bout. Both lads mixed it from the start, each round being fought at a fast rate. Towards the end - "White" hung on a great deal, and Bennetts, although punished about, piled up the points. Bennetts the winner. The Light-Weights. —The first lightweight contest wzis between L. Walters (9st 31b) and «'M. James" (9st 51b). Walters was quite outclassed. . He was knocked down three times in the initial round, and the referee then .intervened. The Welter-Weights, The first of the welters to meet were G. Richardson (Gisborne, lOst 71b) and E. Woods (lOst 91b). The result was never in doubt. Richardson sent his man down for 7s in the second round, and had all the - points in his favour when the final gong sounded. .- ; • S. Mitchell (Waikato, lOst 81b) v. G. Richardson (Gisborne, lOst 71b). The first two rounds were fairly even, but the pre- • sent champion used a powerful left to 'much advantage in the third, although Richardson hung on gamely. Mitchell gained the verdict easily. Semi,firal: H. Sandow (lOst 741b) v. H. Lewis (lOst 81b). The bout was a very tame affair. Lewis had the better of the first two rounds, but Sandow evened up matters in the third, and an extra round was ordered. Sandow was very aggressive in this round, and scored a well-deserved victory. :, The Middle-Weights. '' The first bout in the middle-weight division was between J. Cadman (lOst and} L Smith (list 31b). Both men were very willing, but Cadman 'was the more aggressive, and piling up the points in the final round, he secured the verdict.

J. O'Connor (Gisborne, list) v. C. R. Robertson (lOst llijb). A very good bout, both men showing cleverness. Robertson appeared to have a margin of points in his favour at. the end of the third round, but the judges ordered an extra round. Robertson the winner.

L. Stewart (Thames, list 31b) v. T.'Long (Christchurch, lOst 121b). Long had the advantage in height and reach, and he was also the cleverer boxer, but Stewart made up for in dash what he lacked in skill, and gained a popular decision. The Heavy-Weights. Proceedings in this class were opened by L. Stewart (Thames, list 31b) and E. Patrick (Northcote, list l|lb). The bout caused roars of laughter. Neither man had any science, and it was simply a case of hit or missmostly miss. Patrick, a native, went down for 6s in the final round, and the referee stopped the contest. Stewart the, winner B. Dwyer (13st 71b) v. N. McLean (12st). McLean, although knocked down three times—twice in the final round—had a lead on points, and gained the decision, which found much favour with the crowd. The winner displayed great cleverness, and heaps of pluck. R. Lucas (Thames, list 111b) v. J. Mc-' Hugh (12st 121b). The fight was a very Yicious one while it lasted. McHugh, who had a decided advantage in height, used a right jKb to great advantage in the infighting, and also scored well with both hands. Lucas wrenched his shoulder and sprained a thumb, and threw up the sponge in the second round. C. Savory (list) v. R. Monro (13st lib). The bout was a short one. Savory rattled his opponent in the opening round with a number of right uppercuts, and then sent him to the floor with a right cross. Monro took the count to nine, and in rising did not resume, Savory securing the verdict.

THIS EVENING'S PROGRAMME. The semi-finals and finals will be decided this evening, the following being the competitors :— Bantam- : R. Conway, B. Payne, L. Kutner. .and P. Mackay. Feather-weights : N. G. Brown. S. Whalley. S. Dowsing. Light-weights : F. Craig, M. James, L. Bliss, and E. Shaw. Welter-weights : H. Sandow S. Mitchell.

Middle-weights : J. Cadman, T. Cate, C. R. Robertson, L Stewart. Heavy-weights : C. Savoury, J. McHug'h, N. McLean, L. Stewart. The first . bout will be commenced at eight o'clock sharp, and there will be as little delay as possible between each contest. An additional attraction will be a six-round spar by Bert Murphy and Rod fitanden.

WAIKATO ASSOCIATION.

AUGUST CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The Waikato Boxing' Association has fixed the fifth annua] amateur championships to be held in the Hamilton Town Hall on Wednesday, August 6. and from indications already showing, the meeting will be a big one. Matches are open in all standard classes, while two classes for boys who have never entered a ring, and two for men of the territorial forces, who must, wear the colours of the regiment, should bring about a lot of local interest. Entry forms and all particulars may he obtained from the secretary, Mr. M. McArthur, care Messrs. T. Mahoney and Co., Frankton; and Mr. A. J. Woodley, His Majesty's Arcade, Auckland. Entries dose at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.