BOXING RING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22145, 26 June 1935, Page 20

BOXING RING

CONTESTS NEXT MONDAY TWO PROFESSIONAL BOUTS FINE PROGRAMME ARRANGED With the intention of emulating the highly successful carnival staged oil the King's Birthday, the Auckland Boxing Association has arranged another outstanding programme for presentation at the Town Ilall next Monday evening. Two professional contests, of ten rounds of, three minutes each, will be offered, the first bringing together Johnny McKay, of Gisborne, and Jack Jarvis, of Eltham, and the second being between Billy McKay, brother of Johnny, and Billy Aitken, of Wellington. A weight limit of 9st. 111b. has been imposed on the McKay-Jarvis fight, making it a little over the light-weight limit. McKay has recently been building up from his natural weight in order to meet welter-weights, but in Jarvis ho will have an opponent who is also a natural light-weight. McKay has twice appeared in Auckland as a professional and his great displays in both matches won him many friends. His first local appearance was against Stoker Mickey Holland, who was having his first bout in New Zealand, and for ten rounds the pair had the spectators on their toes by producing a battle the equal of which had not been seen in Auckland for a long time. McKay lived up to his reputation as a whirlwind fighter, forcing the pace and making Holland stand toe to toe with him throughout the journey, defence being sacrificed by both in favour of hard-hitting rallies in which much heavy punishment was taken and given.

After that contest critics likened McKay's style to that of the very successful fireman, Tommy Donovan, fighting viciously and seldom giving ground, and they were in accord with the spectators in voting it one of the best contests seen locally since the famous buttles between Tommy Mc]nties and Laehie McDonald.

Jarvis has only lately turned professional, but he demonstrated his worth last month when he fought a ten rounds draw with Stoker Mickey Holland in a bout packed with fast, clean boxing. In the New Zealand amateur championships last year Jarvis fought through to the final, in which he was defeated by the Auckland champion, W. Hogg. He has had plenty of experience in the amateur ring and has developed into an excellent boxer, while he possesses a good knock-out punch. When he turned professional southern critics, who were familiar with his style, predicted a successful career for him. McKay is known by performances and Jarvis by reputation, and with these fully considered it appears certain that this bout will produce thrilling fighting. Billy McKay lias twice appeared in Auckland, having b<*nten Frank Bruno and Percy Kelly in amateur bouts when he was the New Zealand amateur flyweight champion. Against Aitken he will he making his first local professional appearance, and considerable interest will be displayed in his performance. as he is a prospective oppoent for the Auckland champion. Frank Taylor. As an amateur McKay was a fast and clever boxer, and now that he has moved into the bantam class, he should also be a stronger fighter. Aitken, who was defeated in last year's amateur championships by Gordon, of Taranaki, who also defeated the Auckland champion, Cyril Smith, and won the title, has to make Bst. 91b. under forfeit. He is one of the most promising boxers Wellington has produced and in him McKay will find himself opposed by a hard fighter all the way through. This bout promises excellent entertainment.

The amateur bouts are as follows: — T. TTnrren v. J. Maurice. Auckland flyweight champion; J. Maxim (Frankton Junction") v. H. E. Neale, Auckland light-heavy-weight champion. Emergency bout: H. Brady v. S. Stock.