BOXING CHAMPIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 11

BOXING CHAMPIONS.

THE PROVINCIAL TITLES.

STIRRING BOUTS IN FINALS.

PURDY WINS THE' CUP.

There was another largo attendance at the Town • Hall.' last evening to witness the semi-finals and finals of the Auckland provincial boxing championships. The various bouts provided stirring contests, the boxers fighting from the gong to the finish. There was a deal more vim and vigour than real boxing science in the majority of the bouts, which were closely contested.

The bout between Fletcher and Greig in the semi-final of the light-weights was the most exciting and thrilling of the tournament. Greig administered severe punishment in the first and second rounds, when Fletcher took the count for (sight, to make a good, recovery in the third and win on points.: The middle-weight championship contest between "R. Meale,' the New Zealand and Australasian champion, and A. Firth, the Navy champion middleweight, was cancelled owing to the latter failing to come down to the championship weight, list. 41b. '.;•••' - A silver cup presented to the most scientific competitor in the championships was awarded to C. Purdy, the present Auckland, New Zealand, and Australasian feather-weiffht champion. The Holmes' Oup, presented to the most scientific boxer in the light-weight class, was,awarded to G. Brown. Mr. Frank Burns and Mr. Mat Moore were the referees. The following are the results :— FLYWEIGHTS. Semi-final.—7st. 10lb.: E. Halford beat W. Efiyßon. This was a. good fight, Halford showing a deal of scientific boxing. Fyvi.l.—J. O'Sul'ivan beat E. Halford, A. quick-action bout, both boys boxing brightly, O'Sullivßn outpointing his' opponent to win the bout.

BANTAM WEIGHTS. Semi-final.—«?t, 21b.: G. Camraick beat C. Vernall. This, was a auick and uneventful bout, the winner out-pointing his' opponent. Final.—G. Cammick beat W. Elliott. A bright bout, both boys boxing briskly, with clever action and clean break-away. Cammick showed consistent form and gained the verdict. -

FEATHER WEIGHT. Semi-final. : R. Trowern beat E McCarthy. Won easily after a geod, open fi?ht. McCarthy being inclined to clinch. Trowern using a stinging straight left to beat his opponent. C. Purdy beat W. Cutt3 This was a playful bout, practically through out, Purdy out-boxing his opponent, who showed comparatively poor form against the youn? Auckland champion. Final.—C. Purdy boat R. Trowern. The bout was fa.*t and thrilling, Purdy showingscience to Trowern's clever footwork. Tri>wern skipped like a dancing master, and as a two-handed fighter landed lefts and rights in rapid : success to rattle Purdy. The final round saw both boxers swinging straight lefts and rights with stirring reprisal, the referee's decision, in favour of Purdy, meeting with a mixed reception. LIGHT WEIGHT./ Semi-final. lost.: G. Brown beat C. Huggie. . Both boxers foroed the fighting, a stirring bout ending in favour of Brown, th« referee's verdictf meeting with come disapproval, from a section ,of the spectators. J. Fletcher beat W. Gxeig. This was a specially thrilling bout. Greig fighting .fiercely to punish his opponent. -.Fletcher stood up gamely, hut was knocked down in the nfecond round for* eight, to rise and resume. Fletcher made a good recovery, improving in the third round to box scientifically and win on Points. Final.—G. Brown neat J. Fletcher. A solid bout, the boxers swincting stinging lefts. and .rights in , rapid rallies of clean fiohtin? with clever footwork and side-step-ping. Brown, who was the more skilful, was awarded the bout. "WELTER WEIGHTS. - . Semi-final. —lOst. , 91b. : Prangley beat H. Shergold. This bout was quickly decided. Prangley punching. Shergold down twice in rapid succession in the first round, the last time to take the count. Final.Prangley beat Buckley. The bout, which opened with fierce in-fighting and wilri '.winding, 'fitji'-hed sensationally. Prangley knocking out his opponent in the first round. - LIGHT-HEAVY .WEIGHTS. Semi-final. — 12st.t A. Firth beat A. James. The winner ?iad the best of th» encounter, putting James down far nine in the; second round, the ■ referee stopping the fight in the third. 0. Haydon drew with D. Mitchell. This was a willing bout, both boxers fighting .freely with rapid rallies of two-handed punches. The contest was so even at th* end of the third found that the, referee decided to have an additional round, which ending in the referee declaring a draw. , Final.— Firth beat D. Mitchell. This bout opened more like a sparring exhibition, than a contest for championship honours, Firth eventually knocking- down his opponent to win the bout. - , HEAVYWEIGHTS. ' , Semi-final.—l4st.: S. Litt beat Courtney. This bout opened like a.• wrestling match, in the catch-as-catch-c&n style, both boxer* clinching for safety. There was no science in' th© bout,' brute strength predominating and ponderous slogging characterising the fight. . J. Plamus v. Buckley. This bout was. a spurring exhibition, both boxers showing fair form. . Final.— Plamus beat S. Litt.. Crouching " to clinch with short-arm jolts, Litt staggered Plamus, who; swung wide. Both boxers sparred for openings to clinch with body blows. Plamus finding rone with a straight left to the face. The heavyweights were slogging wildly and the gong saved - Litt from a knock-out.

NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THE AUCKLAND TEAM.

The following team has been selected to represent Auckland in the North Island boxing championships,, to -be held at Napier on July 27 , and 28 Fly-weighty J. O'Sullivan. Bantam-weight, G*. Cammick. Feather-weight; C. Purdy. Lightweight, G. Brown. Welter-weight,- A. Pi-angley. Middle-weight, ■R. Meale. Light-heavy-weight, A. Firth. if- ■ ■ Mr. W. E. Dervan has been , appointed manager, and Mr. H. Donovan trainer.

.SOUTH ISLAND tourney. Lb* telegraph.— association.] DTTNEDIN. Wednesday. Otago representatives at the South Island Boxing Association championships will be:, Fly-weight. John Leckie; bantam, T. Griffifths; feather. R. Fulcher: Hffht-weight, LHarris; welter-wifght, T. Mao Donald. The North- o<tfjo nominations for the South Island Vtfxing championships are: Bant tun. H. Lloyd: feather, D. Cree; welter. F. E. Smitheram; light heavy. J. Swiaord. ; ■'. ' ■■■■.. ' ■■;■..