IN THE RING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8184, 27 July 1912, Page 14

IN THE RING

After the storm conies a calm, and with the New Zealand boxing championships a thing of the past, matters are very quiet in the boxing world locally. Ihe projected battle between Denny Murphy and the Maitland boxer, Billy Hanan, is likely to be the next big event to engage tho attention of lovers ot the game.

L. Porter, who beat L. O'Halloran in tho fifth round at Waipawa last week, is ready to meet any light-weight in. the Dominion.

The third battle between Sam Langford and Sam McVea is to take place at the Sydney Stadium next Saturday.

Billy Heffernah, the one-time New Zealander, who has been for some years in South Africa, on Hay 16th defeated Johnny Erasmus at Madsfontein in ten rounds.

Dick Cullen is now managing the King's Palace Theatre at Perth, W.A. He reports that boxing is booming in the ‘Western State.

Kid McCoy had a very easy task t£tb Les Gleeson in their match at the Melbourne Pavilion last week. The latter, who seldom let one pass him, turning it up in the fifth round.

New Zealander Bill Rudd is to try conclusions with Kelly at Cessnock, N.S.W. this evening. Hard hitting William does not appear to want for matches over on the other side. Archdeacon Whitington, who opened the annual amateur boxing tournament at Hobart tho other night, said that it was not to be wondered at that he took an interest in athletics, seeing that he was confirmed by an Adelaide bishop who was a champion amateur boxer. He mentioned an instance in which the Bishop of Adelaide displayed his prowess snd his manliness in boxing with a shearer who had unmercifully punished an opponent. The bishop invited the shearer to have a round or two with him, and defeated him pointless. In his recent battle- with Al. Palzer Bombardier Wells was offered a «£2cka; guarantee, with tho privilege of twentyfive per cent, of the gross receipts and a share in the pictures. From this it would appear that the Englishman, although badly defeated, had a golden salvo for his damaged body, Alf. Goodwin, who describes himself as England’s premier light-weight, was to have met Kid McCoy last night for stakes and purs© worth .£360 and the championship of Australia. A. Morey defeated Tom Thomas, the English light-weight, at the Adelaide National Arena last week. The contest, which went the full twenty rounds, was of the deadly dull order and was decided on points, neither of the boxers having anything in the nature a good solid punch included in his outfit.

The “Billy” Ha nn an-" Denny” Murphy battle for the welter-weight championship of New Zealand is scheduled to take place in the Town Hall on August 7th; and a good rousing bout oh on .d result. I have not yet had an opportunity of seeing Murphy at his work, lint Hannan gave me a cordial invitation to look him up at his training quartets, and he certainly goes about hia task with a healthy zest. Pour rounds with . Thompson (Southland) warmed him up. and a like number with Simpson (Christchurch) gave him plenty ot hustling and a few nard knocks. A skip with a rope, seme bag walloping, and a round with an imaginary Murphy followed. After going through his abdominal exercises, his brother, who is men;tor-in-ehief, took a hand and rubbed him into a glow. Hannan should bo very well by the 7th. A preliminary down for the 7th inst. is an Leary-'‘Thompson" match, and, as much disappointment was caused through the unexpected finish to their last meeting, both boys will spare do trouble to do themselves justice this time. The winner of this , bout will stand a big chance of the trip to Australia, as I am informed Barr will be unable to make the journey. An endeavour is being made to match Simpson (Canterbury) with Stewart (Victoria College) and if the Wellingtonian’s hand has , recovered from its smash-up this promises to be a meeting of the two best amateur light-weights in tho Dominion at the present time. AN OLD-TIME PUGILIST. The death of "Tug” Wilson, a famous English pugilist of thirty years ago, at Ohio from tho result of a fall, recalls some Interesting reminiscences of bygone battles. He will be remembered (writes the “Amateur”) as being the first man to earn forfeit money from John L. Sullivan, by managing to ’ stay four pounds with the Boston slugger, but “Tug” spent most of the time of those four rounds on the floor. The affair took place in Madison Square Gardens, New York, on July 17th. IBS2. "Wilson” was specially sent for, and went over from Leicester (Eng.) to America. Sullivan’s backer wagered a thousand dollars that the Englishman would not see four rounds out.. About 12,000 people paid from ten dollars to five dollars each for the privilege of watching the contest. “Tug” dropped to the boards upon the slightest pretext, but he finished the stronger of the two. So much, however, did Wilson’s showing impress Richard K. fFfox that he offered to back Wilson against Sullivan under P.R. rules fo l A'IOOO aside, and post a forfeit of .£2OO, but after a lot of talk, during which the Wilson side made several concessions. Sullivan declared he would only fight fonr-round glove contests. “Tug \v ilson (Joe Collins) stood sft Sin high and weighed list 41b at most when fighting. He beat Kenny, “the shoeblack," when seventeen years old, after a great battle which excited a lot of interest in England. Earlv in the spring of 1867 Wilson defeated John Oimey badly in an hour under prize ring rules. Big delegations went from every section of ioe old country to the battle ground. Kenny came into the arena again in 1868, and a fierce and remarkable straggle result-

ed. At the close of the £2nd round it was either man’s battle, and each stood up then as strong as when he started, despite that both responded to every onslaught his adversary made. Thirtyseven rounds were fought in 2hr 29niin. when the police reached the scene, and caused a stampede.

The pugilists were arrested and bound over to keep the peace for twelve months. The police interfered during the progress of a match between 'Wilson and Denny Harrington for the middle-weight championship of England and J;2CO aside. At this period the Marquis of Queensberry, Lord Aylesbury, and other prominent Corinthians of the day, offered to back Tug Wilson against Alf. Greenfield in a contest of what was termed the ‘Turn turn” order, the spectators to be few and’ high-toned, and the battle ground the Quecnsberry estate, twelve nr.les from Birmingham. Greenfield had been beaten by Harrington, a fact which made Wilson’s prospects look rosy, and money went on him at odds his way in large lumps. Among those at the ringside were the then I’rince of Wales, the Duke of Beaufort, the Marquis of Queensberry, Captain Wyndham, Lord Lonsdale, and others of equal rank, who would not permit the publication of their names. The contest was described as a desperate one. Greenfield showed the greater skill, and had the better of the first few rounds, but subsequently Wilson warmed up, and punished his man severely. After twentyeight rounds (Ihr thin in), Greenfield’s party suggested a draw, and Referee Tercival, tearing the fight might degenerate into a mauling scramble, agreed to the proposal, and each combatant received .£SO. Shortly afterwards Wilson challenged, without result, any man iu the world. LANGFORD v. McVEA. Next Saturday the Sydney Stadium will be re-opened. A final contest between Sam Langford and Sam McVea is to be the opening attraction. These two boxers have had several matches, but the question of superiority still remains undecided between them. On the subject the Sydney “Daily Telegraph” says McVea is a boxer of wonderful ability and strength. Powerful and clever, and tall, he is still lithe as a eat. On appearances and boxing ability he should be more' than a match even for the redoubtable tack Jcbusou. But McVea seems to lack the true fighting spirit. Langford, on the other hand, is a born fighter, who revels in his work, and enjoys it most when it is most strenuous. , Ho is also immensely strong, a clever ring general, and a fast, brainy boxer. It is his bulldog courage and love of forcing the pace which mane him a match for his bigger coloured competitor. Never since their first meeting in Paris last year have Sam Langford and Sam McVea been so keen about a contest as they are about their match on August 3rd. Both men recognise that a defeat means retirement to the second division, while- a decisive victory will greatly enhance the reputation of the value of tho winner. Each man is keen on securing a knockout. McVea has thrown himself heart and soul into his training. Ho was defeated last time, he believes, owing to lack of fitness; he was overtrained, and he feels (hat it he enters the ring iu proper boxing trim he can easily dispose of Langford. The other man naturally smiles at this hope of McVca's; but, nevertheless, does not make tho mistake of underrating his opponent. Langford has returned from his Oueens- ' land tour. To ordinary eyes ho seems to be in the pink of condition, but Langford declares seriously that there is much to be done. His wife and daughter have joined him, and the sturdy coloured man is leading a happy domesticated existence, mixed with the hardest imaginable physical training. Of the new men shortly to be seen at (he Sydney Stadium “Buck” Crouse, the American welter-weight or middle-weight (his scale for boxing is about ICst 51b) has always been a metercio boxer. He opened his career in ISOS, when barely eighteen years old, with a series of knockout victories, all in two to four rounds. Last year (1911) out of about twenty contests he won fifteen by the knockout method, though it is time that many of his opponents were of no great calibre.