BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 12

BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP

HUGHES DEFEATS OXLEY LIGHT-WEIGHT TITLE MATCH DECISION NOT POPULAR Tho professional boxing contest for the light-weight championship of New Zealand, staged at tho Town Hall last evening under tho control of tho Northern Boxing. Association, between Archie Hughes, Auckland, holder, and Ted Oxley, Pahiatua, challenger, was won by Hughes on points at tho end of the scheduled fifteen rounds, Tho decision met with a very mixed reception by tho large crowd present. Oxley certainly appealed to be unlucky not to win tho verdict, as he had a big margin of points in his favour up to tho end of tho eighth round. Hughes becamo a little more aggressive in tho ninth round, which was fairly even, and ho claimed an_ advantage in tho tenth and eleventh rounds. Tho twelfth was Oxloy'a, and there was littlo between tho pair in tho concluding three rounds. Tho announcement of'tho verdict in favour of tho title-holder was tho signal for an outburst of loud hooting. Tho contest was the brightest that has been seen in Auckland for some timo past. It was a willing encounter all the way, tho pair exchanging punches freely from the first gong. Oxley set a solid pace, which ho maintained right to the end. He was in fine fettle, and his match against Kid Como appeared to have brightened him up considerably. Ho displayed splendid ringcraft and punching power with either hand. Hughes again proved himself a hard man to hit, but Oxley's variety of ' punches frequently caught him unawares. Hughes looked to be in difficulties more than once, and he had to hang on to save himself from further punishment. Popular Young Amateurs The amateur preliminaries were all of a high standard, and they put tho spectators on good terms with themselves. A special bout was provided between two small brothers, announced as "Tornado" Gordon, sst., and "Sharkey" Gordon, sst. lib. They gave a very fine display of scientific boxing which pleased tho crowd immensely. The spectators within reach of the ring showered coins into it, and, at the conclusion of the exhibition, it wag announced that Mr. C. Welson had offered to present a special medal to each lad. Mr. R. Mcale was referee for tho amateur preliminaries, while Mr. N. McLean had cliargo of the professional contest. Messrs. G. Bush and F. Burns were the judges for ali the contests. Prior to the commencement of the main match, W. Hogg, amateur welter-weight champion of the Dominion, and R.. B. Martin, welterweight cbJimpfra of Auckland, were introduced, both having turned professional, and being willing to meet any opponents of their own weight. Tho professionals both entered tin* ring at the same weight, 9st. 61b. Oxley commenced proceedings with right and left hooks to the head, and, after missing with a right swing, he sent two more lefts to tho head. Hughes scored with body punches at close quul'ters. Qxley was on tho look-out for tho tipper-cut, which caught him unawares when the pair met previously. Oxley Confident The second round saw Oxley concentrating mostly on hard right-hand punches to the heart which made his opponent move back. The Pahiatua man was boxing very confidently, and he opened the th:rd round with a hard left hook to the side of the head, following with further rights to the heart. Oxley coktinued ,tA;;pila.on points in tho next few punches with both bands. He' frequently caught the champion coming in to him with solid rights. It was not until the sixth round that Hughes showed any signs of aggression, linti then a left hook to the jaw steadied him. Hughes displayed clever defence against his • hard-hitting opponent. Ho managed to take the sting out of some vicious right upper-cuts, which would have ended the contest had they landed with full force on his chin. Oxley had the Aucklauder worried by the manner in which.be was sending in blows with either hand. Tho challenger had a comfortable lead at the end of the' eighth round. In the next Hughes rushed in to score with body punches, and then in a willing mill in mid-ring Oxley narrowly missed with a right upper-cut. He had the better of tho concluding stages of the round. Lively Exchanges Apparently realising that he had a good deal of leeway to make up, Hughes commenced to do more attacking in the next three or four rounds. Tho result was that there were some lively exchanges which had the crowd almost continually cheering. Oxley appeared to bo much tho fresher at tlie end of the 12th round and tho general opinion among ringsiders was that Hughes' only chance of retaining his title lay in a knock-out. This, however, was not, forthcoming, as, every time Hughes led un attack, ho was sent back with punches which contained much more sting than his own. Hughes certainly scored points by poking out his left lightly, but on more than one: occasion in tho last three rounds he was compelled to clinch to avoid severe punishment, especially from Oxley s hard right , rips to the heart. The last round was a thriller. Hughes missed with a left swing and Oxley punched him right across the ring, using both hands Hughes looked to bo in difficulties, but he fought back gamely. He was further weakened, however, with solid body punching. Amateur Preliminaries Flv-weight.—J. Donovan, 7st. 21b., and F. Bruno 7st. Dlb., drew on points alter a keen contest, in which they mixed it freely. Middle-weight.—H. Neale, 12st. lib., boat A. Broadhead. list. 111b.. on points. Neale won by his aggression, Broadhead allowing himself to be crammed too much. Welter-weight—G. Cook, lOst. olb.. beat J. Hill. 9st. 111b., by a technical knock-out i/1 the fourth round, tho referee stopping the contest. The loser created amusement by his quaint style. Feather-weight.—lS. .Tones, 9st. Uib., and 11. Aitkenhead, 9st. 51b., drew on points. This was a hard-hitting bout m which Aitkenhead phiekily took a lot of punishment. Feather-weight.—l. llogg. Bst. llUb., beat H. Andrews, Bst. 111b., on points after a very keen match in which the winner had tho hotter of the final round. -