BOXING RING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 20

BOXING RING

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS BIG PROGRAMME NEXT WEEK PROSPECTS OF TITLE-HOLDERS Proof of the popularity of boxing as an amateur sport is again established by the large number of entries which have been received by the Auckland Boxing Association for the annual provincial amateur championships which will take place at the Town Hall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of next week. In 1931 more than 70 entries were received, that figure being exceeded in 1932, 1933 and 1931 when over 80 umateurs signified their intention of competing, and again this year the 80 mark has been passed. It is not possible to give the actual number of entries as some from country centres have not been made on the official form, and others have been held up for further 'verification, but it appears likely that about 90 nominations will be received. With this year's large entry every one of the three nights will be packed with spirited fighting and skilled boxing, and the officials will be kept busy in getting the championships decided in scheduled time. Each of the eight classes, from fly-weight to heavy-weight, has drawn good entries and the winners of the respective titles will fully tarn them. THE LIGHTER CLASSES DEFENDERS OF TITLES Twelve entries in the fly-weight class include the title-holder, Maurice, Allan, last -year's runner-up, and R. Knock, a.former champion, while in the bantam-weight division Percy Kelly will defend his title against a dozen aspirants for his crown. Cyril Smith will not be defending his feather-weight title, but ten embryo champions will fight for the honour. Nixon, the South Auckland champion, Spragg and Manson are among those competing in this class. Competitors for the light-weight championship include ■ McLachlan, a former champion, and a number of other good performers. In the welter-weight division Bakalich will have difficulty in retaining his title from a strong entry, chief among whom is Billy Purdie, the former Auckland, New Zealand and Australian and New Zealand welter-weight champion, who did not compete last year.

CHAMPIONSHIP RESIGNED MARTIN IN PROFESSIONAL RANKS R. B. Martin resigned his middleweight championship to embark on a successful professional career, and a strong field of competitors has entered for the vacant title, including Marine Bunee, Johnson, Kelly, who fought well last year, and Farmer. H. E. Neale will defend his light-heavy-weight championship against a number of aspirants, including Hepburn, the heavy-weight title-holder, and M. McHugli, a former Sacred Heart College champion, both of whom will also take part in the heavy-weight division with D. Lindesay, a former champion, who did not compete last year.

GREAT BATSMAN J. B. HOBBS HONOURED All cricket and all sport honoured Jack Hobbs, one of the greatest batsmen the game has produced, at a great public dinner organised by the Star, London, and held at the Dorchester Hotel last month. It was historic The Star stated: Every county side had its representatives; all angles of club cricket had sent men to the tables; Jack Hobbs was surrounded by cricketers whose names are famous everywhere in the world. And how Hobbs smiled his pleasure when Viscount Cobham. president of the M.C.C., who presided, read the following telegram from the King: "The King sincerely thanks you for your kind congratulations on behalf of those present at the farewell dinner to that great cricketer, Jack Hobbs."

Amid loud cheering, Hobbs, in replying to the many tributes pai.d to him, said: "Sitting here to-night one thought has been uppermost in my miiul— I am surrounded by friends. Nothing in my career will be remembered more in my retirement than this great evening, one of the proudest moments of my life This is a unique gathering, so thoroughly representative of the wonderful British sporting public, who, in success unci failure, have cheered me on. That such a tribute should' be paid to a professional cricketer has touched me beyond all words. It is a tribute to all the profession, so different from the days within my memory. (Laughter.) "Looking back, I have not one single regret about having chosen professional cricket as iny career. If I could live my life over again, I assure you I would desire no other. It has been a wonderful life, full of delightful associations, varied experiences, happy memories, enriched. by friendships formed at home and beyond the seas."