BOXING RING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21879, 15 August 1934, Page 18

BOXING RING

MATCH NEXT MONDAY NIGHT BRILLIANT BANTAM-WEIGHTS Hard fighting between two clever men is promised in the professional contest Which the Auckland Boxing Association will stage at the Town Hall on Monday evening, when Frank Taylor, the hard-punching local bantamweight, will meet Dal Costa, the brilliant Australian. Taylor, a triple winner of New Zealand championships, was beaten in his first fight, received a draw in his second, and then went ou to win on 53 occasions before turning professional. Ho won the New Zealand professional bantam-weight championship, which he has never lost, in spite of the fact that another boxer is the official holder of the title. Taylor, who has never been beaten at his weight, with the exception of a close decision to Teddy Green, the renowned Australian fly-weight champion, was injured in an accident a couple of years ago and ho has beeu cut of the sport ou that account. As ho was never asked to defend his title and he did not retire, intending, as he is doing now, to return to the ring as soon as he fully recovered, Taylor can rightfully claim the title, although he is not officially recognised, and he is regarded as the champion by followers of the sport in Auckland. Both as amy;eur and professional, Taylor made his mark by his wonderful cleverness, coupled with his devastating punching and, as he has shown in his work-o'uts against the cleverest amateurs of his weight in Auckland, he has not only retained his punching pow6i, but also his speed and cleverness. Those who have seen him in action are unanimously of the opinion that Taylor is fighting better than ever before, and, if he can reproduce his gymnasium form, he will take a power of beating. Taylor will not have speed, cleverness and punching power to himself when he meets Costa, who has a wonderful knock-out record. In 23 fights the Australian has scored 21 wins, 11 by the short route, and his only losses have been to Johnny Peters, the brilliant English bantam, and "Darkie" Blandon, the Australian bantam champion, who is regarded in the Commonwealth as a world-beater.

Costa, who is 21 years of age, is a nephew of Joe Costa, a well-known Australian boxer, who taught him the art, aAd, after being runner-up in one amateur tournament, ho won three others, turning professional and producing such brilliant form that he is considered the finest bantam-weight champion New South Wales has had for a very long time. One of his knock-out victories was against Max Richards, the Queensland champion. With two great punchers and clever boxers opposed, Auckland patrons will see plenty of action. Neither man likes close quarters and their contest should not only produce fast and clever boxing, but it should also be marked by thrilling rallies which will appeal to all who lovo a fight.

Th<} amateurs' preliminaries ai-e as follows: —Young v. Hurren, Cameron v. McCcnnell, Bakalich v. Bunce. Cooke v. Parsons. Emergency bout: Gurr v. Grant.