AMUSING BOXING BOUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 18

AMUSING BOXING BOUT

FIJI CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDED TONGAN KISSES HIS VICTOR [from our own correspondent] SUVA. Sept. 9 The heavy-weight boxing championship of Fiji was decided hero last evening when Ben Valentine, of Suva, list. 111b., defeated Visa Vaka, 12st. 61b., of Tonga, on points in a ten-rounds contest. Vaka, who is a member of the Tongan Rugby representative team which has been playing irt Suva, is champion of Tonga, and Valentine is a local half-caste. Vaka, who is a magnificent specimen of native manhood, fought in his bare feet. What he lacked in science he almost made up for with strength'and endurance. Some difficulty was experienced by the referee owing to the fact that the Tongan did not understand English, and that he was also under the impression that headlocks and slamming were permissible. Several times the fight had to be stopped while it was interpreted to the Tongan that ho must not pick tip his opponent and throw him oti the floor. On one occasion Vaka continued., fighting after the round gong had sounded. Valentine's brother, who wns seconding him, thereupon jumped into the ring and pulled the Tongan off. Immediately an excited Tongan jumped into the ring and several native policemen also made a move toward the stage. Fortunately, the refereo was able to separate the men before trouble developed, and a handshake between the two principals restored good humour. Valentine led on points throughout a fierce and very willing bout, and the decision in bin favour was warmly received by a large and mixed crowd, consisting of Fijians, Tongans, Samoa ns, Indians and Europeans. The Tongan demonstrated that he bore nobody any ill-will by embracing and kissing his opponent when the decision was given*