BOXING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8734, 16 May 1914, Page 13

BOXING

Freddie Welsh added to his American victories one over Leach Cross at Los Angeles recently, after twenty rounds.

Herb McCoy will fight Shrugue in Sydney to-day, and will remain there till after iris battle with Milhurn Saylor on May 30th. Kid Lewis, the English feather-' weight champion, who recently arriv-' ed in Sydney, was anxious to get a‘ .match with Milhurn Saylor for his first contest, but a fixture had already been arranged for Mehegan and Lewis at the Sydney Stadium on June Cth. Tommy Burns is gradually getting back to the ring, and ho will probably be seen in a four-round exhibi-' tiou bout with Bill Lang at the St. Francis charities benefit, which is to take place shortly in the Melbourne Opera House. Frank O’Grady has accepted the invitation from the Mow Zealand Box-' ing Association to com© to Now Zealand to box Jimmy Hagerty on June' sth, and he is to leave for Wellington directly expenses are received, accompanied by his trainer, Ern Oasey. The second benefit .to Mrs Hock Keys will take place at the Olympia on a date to be fixed. One of the chief items to he staged will he a light-weight tournament, for a prize amounting to at least £2O, which has been already promised, while there is a likelihood of the amount being increased, -

Gunboat .Smith completed his twen-ty-sixth year on Friday week last, May Bth. He was born in 1888, and he therefore looks good for many more 1 sterling battles. ; Barney Chapman wants to meet Billy Hannan (the New Zealander) for a £ls to £2O side bet. j Dodger Ryan, who some few months ago announced his intention of retir-i ing from the ring, and declined Iris' proposed match with Holder, for the bantam championship, was recently pressed ‘into the game again by Herb McCoy and Sam Gray, and at the: Melbourne Stadium on May sth made a pitiable attempt on the part of an 'erstwhile champion to come back. He !mot Jonnesse, and was almost beaten ;in the first few punches. Les. Darcy expects shortly to be (matched with Fritz-Holland for £loo' ■a side. It will, however, be some weeks before he will he able even to train, as during his recent fight with MoNabb he badly strained the tendons of his right wrist, and, under the doctor’s orders, has since been a total abstainer from work. Had he been well, Darcy could have had his pick of several ■ good fights for Newcastle Cup morning. The following compliment to_ Mr “Snowy” Baker as referee is paid by “The Times,” London:—“Mr Reginald Baker was the referee in the Bombardier Wells v. Albert Lurie contest, jand he gave an excellent illustration that difficult craft, entering the ring with his men, ‘shadowing’ them all the time,' and never telling them to break, when it was clear they were Working out of a clinch. When, an sometimes happened, Wells tucked his man’s left under his right arm, Mr Baker did not discuss the matter; ho merely disengaged the offending limb Mr Baker should be engaged to lecture on refereeing at the National Sporting Club; .he is a true artist.” Pat. Bradley, the tough American middle-weight, with his cousin, Job Atcbeson, left Sydney for America or. May 2nd. Bradley explained that the trip,to America would benefit him in every way, and 1 was released of his responsibilities. The obstacles which for some time past hgs been in the way of the match between the world-famed middle(weights, Jim Clabby and Jeff Smith, ion the 23rd inst., has been removed and the contest is to come off on that date.

The Sydney Stadium were requested to fix a date a month hence from May 6th for the bantam championship of Australia. The contestants, Teddy Green (holder) and Frank Neill, will risk £25 apiece on. the result. Franz Barrett and \V. McCabe, of New Zealand, were matched to meet in a 20-round contest on May 6th, but the result is not yet to hand. NEXT WEEK’S CONTESTS.

A meeting of the council of the Wellington Boxing Association was held last evening, when there were present: —Messrs 11. W. McVilly (in the chair), D. R. Hoggard, W. W. Cook, H. D. Smith. N. Coffey, C. E. Bridge. J. E. Staples, F. Gale, W. A. Fordham, B. A. Guise, and W. G. Talbot (hon. secretary). Mr W. Beauchamp-Platts intimated to the council that he might not be able to officiate as referee on the nights of the provincial amateur championships. Mr Bridge was accordingly appointed emergency refer ee, and Mr Smith emergency judge. Mr W. P. Redgrave wrote from Foston stating that a movement was on foot to form a local boxing association, and asking what were the necessary steps to take. The secretary was instructed to furnish the information.

' Applications for matches were received from Alf. Goodwin (Melbourne), lightweight, from Frank Ellis (fomerjy of Wellington), and from F. Kerr (Christchurch). The applications were noted. The council decided that the charges for admission to the Hegarty-O’Grady fight next month should he the same as for the Hegarty-Keys match. In view of the large number of tries for the provincial championships, it was decided that the contests should start at 7.30 each evening.

A very large number of competitors have signified their intention of competing at the amateur championship tournament at the Town Hall on Holiday and Tuesday next, and patrons will witness a great number of bouts each evening if the contests ore to bo completed in the two evenings. The contests set down for the first night arc as follows: Leary v. Wilson (feathers). Glading v. Hume (heavy). IV. ■ HeFarlane v. Smith (light). Finnic v. Weston (middle). Oliver v. Defoe (feather). Skin ley v. Watkins (feather). Steward v. Lopez (feather). Dudson v. Hunter (welter). H. HeFarlane v. Maher (light). Cahill v. Stanley (middle). Ingham v. Oliver (light). W HeFarlane v. Watson (welter). Smith v. Gerald (heavy). Thompson t*. Andrews (bantam). Probably only twelve of the above bouts will*be got off the first night. The box plan is at Armit’s, and as a good attendance is anticipated patrons should book their seats without delay. The association intend handing the whole of the proceeds to the Citizens’ Carnival Fund,