BOXING RING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19783, 2 November 1927, Page 16

BOXING RING.

THE DEMPSEY-TUNNEY FIGHT. POSSESSED NOVEL FEATURES. AMATEURS TURN PROFESSIONAL. American exchanges contain some very interesting items in connection with the recent fight for the world's championship between Jack Dempsey - and Gene Tunney. Every precaution . was taken to guard Dempsey against any trickery that might be used to affect his chances, Paul Lahay, his cook, guarded the pantry door at his camp with a gun, and anyone who tried to tamper with Dempsey's food wcnid have had short shift. Similar precautions were said to obtain in Tuinney's camp. Two thousand five hundred police were assigned to doty in and around Soldiers' Field on the day of the- contest.

Among the novel features connected with the fight were the advertisements in the newspapers by a British tounst agency announcing a de-luxe aerial tour between New York and Chicago. Seventeen aeroplanes were used in what was said to be the first public aerial tour. For the'* scm of £125 passengers were conducted in modern cabin-cruiser type machines from Curtis Field, New York, to Chicago, and were provided with ringside seats and accommodation for the night at a first-class hotel, returning to New York on the following morning. Extraordinary precautions were taken to prevent Dempsey's whereabouts leaking out. Rooms were booked in his name in two separate Chicago hotels, under pledges of secrecy, but in reality he was taken to a private house in a quiet corner of the city.

An Army o1 Attendaats, The fight spectators were directed by 7000 attendants, superintended by 2000 overseers, and over 1000 . ticket inspectors. There was a special guard on duty near the ringside covering the "millionaire" zone—the most expensive seats. Outside the stadium was a parking space for over 70.000 automobiles. The benefit of a changed stance was demonstrated to Dempsey by his manager, Leo. P. Flynn, daring the coarse of a game of golf. He first made Jack drive the ball while standing on Ms toes, and then got him to stand fiat-footed. Dempajy drove many yards further with the fiat-foot stance and was persuaded to believe that pounds would ba added to his ' punch if he stood the same way while fighting. Eickard paid the State of Illinois 10 per cent, of the receipts as tax. It is reported that Dempsey cabled to England asking permission to engage Tom Heeney as a sparring partner. The Hamilton boxer, Nelson McKnight, is reported to be training at Seattle, United States.

In his first professional fight Clarrie Pocock, the ex-N«w Zealand amateur champion, beat Dick Loveridge at Oamaru last week.

Luis Angel Firpo, the heavy-weight boxer, is planning a European motortour, extending through 14 countries, in an attempt to establish a record. He hopes to start the tour from London. It has been announced that Paolino and Sharkey are to fight at Madison Square Gardens, New York, on November 18. Trowern For America. Eeg Trowern, who is doing well in Australia at present, is reported to be leaving, with his father, for America. His willing fighting style shbuld be welcomed in America. Provided he does not attempt to go for too big fights before becoming accustomed to local conditions he should be heard of favourably. The Greymouth welter-weight, Jack Nelson, has decided to turn professional. He showed up extremely -well against Lachie McDonald in the New Zealand championships in 1923, many being oi the opinion that he won, although the referee's casting vote went against him. He has had 47 amateur fights for six losses. '»■,

Tommy Bams, one time heavy-weight champion of the world, is in Antwerp, engaged trying to fashion Jack Humbeck, a local boxer, into something approaching a champion. Barns seems to be improving his man, as Hambeck fonght a draw with Pierre Charles, of Brussels, who had previously deprived him of the Belgian heavy-weight crown. Twenty thousand Belgians watched the contest. Salvino Jamito, the Filipino, who left New Zealand aboat four months ago, after a record of 22 contests, is now fighting in Peru. Popular Paper-weights.

The nnusual ending to the contest between Hay and Broadfoot 'on Monday evening came as a surprise to this majority of those witnessing the fight, as Broadfoot did most of the leading and landed some telling blows to Hay. About half-way through the fight Hay slipped and rose with his gloves covered with resin dust. No official attempt was made to clean the gloves, and he only succeeded in removing a portion on his shorts before Broadfoot was in on him. It is possible that some of this dust found its way to Broadfoot's eyes, and caused him to be unintentionally "playing "possum" until his collapse unhit in the final round. Broadfoot would gain more power in bis body hits if he always kept his gloves closed. His footwork is good. Hay possesses a nice searching left, which comes from a well-developed pair of shoulders, and he also uses a fast right jab effectively in the clinch. He showed a worthy ring spirit on several occasions in the way m which he stood back when Broadfoot slipped. Hay, with his trainer, Dempster Thompson, left for Hastings last evening. He hopes to meet Casey again at an early date. The bout which the crowd enjoyed most at the Town Hall on Monday evening was the amateur paper-weight contest between two lads, Maher and Andrews. The pair met recently in the territorial championships, Andrews being the winner and Maher the runner-up. On Monday night Maher succeeded in reversing the positions- From the first gong he rushed into his opponent, and getting • him against the ropes he rained in lefts and rights which had Andrews completely bewildered. Maher adopted these tactics in each round. It was a wonderful exhibition of grit and determination, and the decision in his favour was highly popular.

MOTOR-CYCLIST RETURNS. Mr. Spencer Stratton, the New Zealand motor-cyclist, who has had experience on tracks in .the United States and Australia, returned by the Ulimaroa from Sydney yesterday" He intends to race in New Zealand.