BOXER'S TRAGIC DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 10

BOXER'S TRAGIC DEATH

HEAD STRIKES FLOOR

FRIENDLY SPARRING BOUT "A PURE MISADVENTURE" COMMENTS BY THE CORONER [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] OAMARU. Thursday A well-known boxer, Ernest Gilbert Ellery, married, aged 25, of Windsor, died in the Oamaru Public Hospital as the result of head injuries received in a friendly sparring bout with Thomas Campbell McGillivray in a local boxing school. Ellery was West Coast champion and runrier-up for the New Zealand amateur middleweight championship two years ago. He was training for a preliminary bout to the New Zealand heavy-weight championship between Campbell and Sullivan here to-night.

At the inquest, the evidence disclosed that McGillivray, who is a pupil at Waitaki Boys' High School, aged 17 years, landed a blow io Ellery's jaw, staggering him. The spar was stopped for five minutes and at deceased's request was then continued, as he appeared to have quite recovered. McGillivray landed a similar blow, and Ellery fell back, bis head striking the floor before any other part of his body. He was removed iri an unconscious condition to the hospital, succumbing to lacerations of the brain. The gloves used in the bout were in first-class condition and weighed Boz. It was stated that Ellery appeared to be off his balance when he was struck. The boxing ring 'was of the type generally used in boxing schools in Australia and New Zealand, with a rope ring and the floor not covered with matting. Ellery had taken part in at least 20 contests, •winning 15, and had never been knocked out. McGillivray was training for the Otago championships. He was a welterweight, lOst. 71b., and Ellery was a middle-weight, 12st. 41b. They were very friendly. In returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, the coroner, Mr. W. H. Frith, expressed sympathy with deceased's relatives and friends, and also with McGillivray. It was a most unfortunate occurrence, but no blame was attachable to anyone. It was a pure accident, death being due to misadventure while engaged in a friendly sparring bout. At a special meeting of the Oamaru Boxing Association, a motion of condolence was passed with Mrs. Ellery and family. As it was the expressed wish of the relatives, no alteration was made with the arrangements for the New Zealand heavy-weight championship to-night.