BOXING RING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21173, 4 May 1932, Page 16

BOXING RING.

BIG AMATEUR TOURNAMENT. PROSPECTS FOR NEXT WEEK. Boasting a wealth of amateur boxing talent, which has not been equalled for some years, Auckland far outshines other centres, and the fact that more than 70 entries have been received for the Northern Boxing Association's carnival at the Town Hall next Monday and Tuesday evenings proves conclusively that the Spirit Of boxing is not dead. Misfortune has dogged the efforts of the local association in its endeavours to stage professional contests, but it has struck the right note in arranging this amateur carnival.

Annual amateur championships have proved very popular with the public and a tournament conducted on similar knockout lines should be a great attraction to patrons of the sport. This carnival marks a record for New Zealand, the entries being the largest ever received for an amateur tournament, with the exception of championship meetings, and Auckland sportsmen will not be slow in taking advantage of seeing the province's best in action. Two nights of excellent entertainment seem assured, and, in addition, patrons will be able to judge for themselves the chances of the competitors of winning the r.matcur championships to be conducted in three months time.

During the past two weeks the gymnasiums have been the scenes of much activity and trainers seem somewhat relieved that the time for the competition is drawing near, the strain of preparing so many boys having had a telling effect on even the most enthusiastic of them. A tour of the gymnasiums shows that the youths are tremendously keen on winning in this tournament. Although titles are not at stake, the local champions are training solidly to defend themselves against the ambitious youngsters who have been knocking at the door, or who will be making their first appearances. It, is not unusual to find a few " dark horses" among such a big entry of competitors and perhaps more than one champion will be surprised and sorry. Four Auckland champions who showed great form at the last New Zealand championships will appear. Painter, Auckland and New Zealand heavy-weight, champion, has dropped to the lighter division, where he will probably find opposition harder, hut it will take"a gruelling fight to keep him from winning the final. Williams, local bantam-weight, champion, entered the last Auckland championships a novice, came out a winner and I hen went through to the final of the New Zealand championship to bo beaten by a Hair's breadth for the title. Martin, Auckland welter champion, nearly upset the pretentions of Bert Lowe, Dominion champion, for a trip Io (lie Olympic Games and it was a very close decision that returned Lowe and not Martin, the winner of the New Zealand title.

Pi,. Purdie, Auckland's and New Zealand's best boxer of recent years, who has thrice won a Dominion championship, will be making his last public ring appearance before going to the Olympic Games. To see these four men in action alone is sufficient inducement for any lover of the sport to attend, and with another 70 boxers engaged in addition, it is expected that the attendance, like the number of entries, will be a record for an amateur tournament.