BOXING RING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19953, 23 May 1928, Page 16

BOXING RING.

THE McKNIGHT-HAY CONTEST FRIDAY A POPULAR NIGHT. OTAGO ASSOCIATION'S CREDIT. The unexpected termination of the fight between Artie Hay and Nelson McKnight on Friday night has caused considerable surprise and comment in local boxing circles. Many officials, including a number of referees of long standing, consider "it was an unfortunate decision." McKnight is surely too old a pugilist to be caught so easily, especially as he was beginning to liven up. As this was the Hamilton man's first appearance since returning from the United States, it would be the last thing he would wish to happen. Undoubtedly Hay had a good lead on points, as McKnight did not show to advantage in the early stages. McKnight was in no way distressed by the right which brought him down. The pair just prior to this hit had indulged in a toe to toe exchange of hooks and jabs, and the round was by far the best of the even?3oth Hay's appearances in the Town Hall have been marked by unexpected happenings. It will bo "remembered that in his last fight here against Broadfoot the bout ended abruptly on account of the Aucklander's eyes failing. Although Hay's clever footwork saved him constantly, his opponent jabbed his left to Hay's right eye in the fourth round, and later connected a right swing to the champion's other eve. At tho end of the eleventh round it was noticeable that Hay's right eye was closing. McKnight Disappointing. McKnight appeared over-trained, and "telegraphed" frequently, especially his heavy right cross. His display was anything but up to the standard of his workouts against Jim Broadfoot. McKnight would have done better had he "gone in" in the opening rounds instead of standing off and attempting to box his clever opponent. It would seem that Friday is a popular night, as the house was the best seen for some time, and it is unfortunate for the association that the referee gave what appeared to be a h*ried decision. Tho last occasion that a public demonstration was made against a decision was when the same referee gave his verdict in favour of Chambers against Charlie Purdy. As on Friday, the spectators were very hostile and "counted out" the referee. McKnight's sportsmanship in his statement to the press after leaving the ring has won him an even greater measure of popularity with boxing enthusiasts than lie hitherto enjoyed. Jim Broadfoot's challenge to the winner should give some association an opportunity to stage a good fight. The amateur preliminaries were good, with the exception of the peculiar performance of McCarthy against Rickard. The opening bout between Manson and McLaughlin found two old opponents inclined to rough it rather than box. McLaughlin seemed anxious to finish the contest early, as his right uppercut was in action. Manson neglected his left and did not win by a big margin. Both boys have given better displays. A Pleasing Display. The fly-weights, Crook and Purdie, gave a pleasing display, and the decision received a great ovation. This was the first appearance of both in the association's ring at the Town Hall. The decision in the special six-round bout for Mr. D. R. Caldwell's trophy between Clarrie McKnight and Fred Fraoi met with a mixed reception. There was little between the two, McKnight's leading probably giving him the verdict. McKnight's crouch and ducking caused Frae<" to miss in the early stages. The Hamilton boy would do better if he would follow up his leads, although this was not easy against the clever elusiveness of Fraei. Fraei is inclined to turn bis back after swinging with his left, and this would be dangerous against a fast opponent. i D. McCarthy, brother of the Auckland heavy-weight, did not impress against the New Zealand University champion, • R'ckard. He hardly connected throughout. Rickard did not need his usual aggressiveness to win the second feather-weight contest of the evening. An American film company has been taming Tom Heeney's home and relatives and points of interest round Gisboriae. A year ago the Otngo Boxing Association had a debit balance of £4O. Johnnie Leckie ■ has helped to bring its credit to approximately £9OO to date. An Offer to Purdy. Charlie Purdy, champion light-weight ot New Zealand and Australia, was approached by a southern association with an offer to meet Leckie in New Zealand if he would make 9st. 61b., but he replied that such a weieht was impossible for him. He agreed t<J accept the match at 9st. 91b. if it could be aiTariged. To date nothing final has been heard. This match would certainly be a wonderful attraction, but it would give JLeckie something to get over. He is a featherweight and Purdy a light-weight with wide experience. Purdy still has a contract with Stadiums for a number of fights, after which it is reported he intends to leave for the Old Country, visiting Auckland en route. During the past week the Northern Boxing Association communicated with Norman Radford, the idea being to match him with Matt Hatton, and doubtless later with Johnnie Leckie. Hatton and Leckie would make a good draw, but the local man savs he would prefer another contest before meeting the Dominion champion in order to get well into his stride. Hatton is keeping himself in form with this in view. In a recent bout at Oamaru between Harry Casey and Clarrie Pocock, Casey's win was badly received. A HINT ON LAWN TENNIS. ADVICE OF MISS JOAN FRY. Lawn tennis is a matter of following out a number ox simple instructions, and the simpler they seem to be tho more difficult they turn out to be in practice, writes Miss Joan Fry, the wellknown player, in an English paper. Probably the seemingly simplest of all is one of tho oldest of all, as far as every bail game in the world is concerned. It is, of course: "Keep your eye on the ball." It is necessary to grasp the importance of this thoroughly, first and last and ! all the time. The first thing is to convince yourself that it really is important. You no doubt feel that you "do" keep your eyo on tho ball, and before you can remedy a fault you must be sure it is there. Convince yourself first of all by watching your friends that some of them do not do it all the time. Then study your own plav—a far more difficult matter—and t,ee if you are quite perfect on this most important point. C. C. DACRE IN ENGLAND. PROHIBITED FROM SOCCER. In a letter to his relatives C. C. Dacrc, tho ex-Auckland and New Zealand representative cricketer, says he is enjoying life in England. Shortly after his arrival he joined Gamage's cricket school in company with Geary, Sutcliffe,. Hammond, Holmes and other professionals, and then went to reside in Gloucestershire and svra ghtway commenced practice with the county club. Dacre had intended to play Association football at the latter end of the English season, but ho was prohibited from doing so by the Gloucester Cricket Club.