VISITING BOXER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 11

VISITING BOXER

WIN FOE AUSTRALIAN PLUTO DEFEATS MUDGWAY EASY VICTORY ON POINTS Cyril Pluto, welter-weight boxing* champion of Western Australia, made an auspicious debut in New Zealand when he gained an easy victory on points at the Auckland Town Hall last evening o\er Neville Mndgwav, of Waihi. The contest was over 15 rounds, of which Pluto Avon every one, the majority by a comfortable margin. The visitor, who weighed lOst. 3ilb., i* comparison to Mudgway's 9st. 12i1b., proved himself one of the cleverest boxers to appear in Auckland. He invariably beat his opponent to the punch, and his open, attractive style, combined with his splendid sportsmanship, made him a great favourite with a crowd which almost packed the Town Hall. Pluto maintained an almost relentless attack, but he failed to find an oj>ening which would have enabled him to finish the contest in the early rounds. Mudgway appeared to be at a loss to counter the offence of the Australian, although he displayed cleverness in taking solid two-handed punches on his gloves or elbows. He hit Pluto hard in the eighth round, and subsequently complained of being unable to use his right hand effectively. A medical examination after the bout revealed his hand to be swollen, and a former break in a small bone had apparently been heavily jarred. Pluto's Big Margin

The professional contest, which was refereed by Mr. It. Meale, and judged by Messrs. G. Bush and F. Burns, does not really call for a great deal of description. From the outset Pluto was the aggressor, and it was a case of compiling a long succession of points. He won nearly all the rounds easily. He kept on top of the New Zealander almost throughout, and scored heavily with left and right rips to the body, varied with head punches, which, however, met with solid defence. Mudgway realised toward the end that his only hope of success lay in a knock-out, but he was faced by an opponent with superior speed and punching power, and the decision in favour of the visitor was never in Prior to the commencement of the professional bout, the announcer, Mr. W. E. Dervan, read telegrams issuing challenges to the winner of the contest from Johnny McKay and Watty Robertson, of Gisborne, and Reg. Hobson, of Hamilton.

The amateur preliminaries, for which Mr. N, McLean was referee, and Messrs. A. B. Joplin and W. E. Luke were judges, were of a particularly high standard, and all were immensely enjoyed by the spectators. The climax was reached when a series of ten oneminute rounds was in progress between teams of Maoris and competitors from Auckland boxing schools. These were fought in a continuous uproar of laughter and cheering. Some of the natives displayed ability, but several had but a very slight knowledge of the finer points, and the manner in which they turned their backs upon aggressors, held on, or hit with back-handed slaps, was most mirth-provoking. The Auckland team won by 7$ wins to 2\. Amateur Preliminaries Catch-weight.—H. Willmott, 9st. 101b., drew with B. Lyall, 9st. 131b., on points. Lyall was the more scientific of the pair, scoring freely with a straight left. Willmott used his superior weigßt in the second round. Lyall was the crowd's favourite and he appeared to have a slight margin. However, a draw proved a popular decision. Light-weight. —R, Nixon, 9st. BJlb., beat A. B. Young (H.M.S. Philomel), 9st. 61b., by a technical knock-out in the first round. Nixon was too scientific and punched too hard for his opponent. the referee stopping the bout. Welter-weight.—D. Gurr, lOst. 101b., boat F. Parsons. lOst. 61b., on points. Gurr lacked confidence in the first two rounds and allowed his opponent to do all the fighting. Gurr did better in the third round and won the final round easily, this giving him the decision. Catch-weight.—A. McDonald, list. 71b., beat K. Cormack, 12st. 21b., on points. This was a fairly evenly con- 5 tested bout, in which both hit hard on' occasions, although there Avas too much holding. McDonald gained a well-earned decision.

Feather-weight.—C. Smith, 9st. l|lb., beat It. Wilson. 9st. 31b., on points after an excellent, scientific exhibition.

Teams match, Orakci names first: — George Marsh, 12st. 41b., beat W. Dwight, 12st.; Bill Harris, 12st., lost to T. Ma her« list. 81b.; Dook Hird, 12st., lost to A. Zaine, list.; Edward Hawke, list. 111b. v beat E. Torvey, 10st. 101b.; Adam Tamariki, list. 21b., lost to L. Rhind, lOst. 91b.; Jack Aka, list., drew with E. Hand, lOst. 81b.; Bob Hawke. list., lost to D. McKenna, lOst. 81b ; Jack Selwyn, lOst. 41b., lost to L. Keane, 9st. 121b.; John Bird, lOst.. lost to E. Fahey, 9st. 101b.; Tau Talbot, 9st. 101b., lost to M. Turner, 9st. 61b.