THE BIG MEN

NZ Truth, Issue 755, 6 December 1919, Page 12

THE BIG MEN

Let the Associations Pull Together,

Owing to a little bit of jealousy on the part of the Hawke's Bay and Wellington Associations, the bodies really responsible for the presence m Now Zealand of such boxers as Jimmy Clabby and Tommy Uren, there is, at the time of writing, something of a deadlock so far as the bringing together of both these great artists is concerned. The trouble originally arose when negotiations were under way for bringing Clabby over, the idea being to match the American with New Zealand's latest fistic sensation, Jack Heeney of Gisborne. Each Association sought priority m the making of a match, and rightly^ the Wellington Association declined to play second fiddle to the Hawke's Bay body, which i body went straight ahead and got Clabby over. Then the Wellington Association went one better. It secured j Uren, a great win, let it be said, but ; owing to the Town Hall being .booked, it was found impossible to arrange a Uren-Heeney match at a date earlier than that decided upon. Well, we know what happened. Jack Heeney, and "The Second" does not wish to discourage the lad, proved no match for the American, and his poor showing against such a champion as Clabby, did not give great heeart to the fistic fans of Wellington, who hoped that Heeney might at least extend Uren, Clabby's conqueror. While these lines are being penned before the Uren—Heeney match at the Wellington Town Hall, it is perhaps not worth while anticipating matters. However, the position gets down to this. The fans want to see not Heeney up against Uren or Clabby, but they want to see Clabby and Uren m the ring, and it is here that interests are clashing, and "The Second" sincerely hopes that next week he will b& able to mako the announcement that a CJabby —Uren match, or oven a series of matches has been arranged. i While however, the bodies m question were at daggers drawn, a newcomer arrived on the scene, and called on "The Second." The newcomer happened to bo Dave Meekin, one of Australia's best welter-weights, with an international record, a boxer of repute and a thorough gentleman. Dave's record speaks for itself, and he is willing to meet Clabby and Uren, with a preference for the latter. 8 Now, this matter ought to simplify itself. It neither the two associations come to an agreement, then Dave Meekin can stop m, and practically Dave has been assured of a match with Uren, and "The Second" is quite certain that a Uren —Meekin match would be very | pleasing to all concerned. Now, 'The ! Second" does not want to see Meekin j squeezed out. He is a boxer with a reputation, and m the Uren class, and it would be a great pity if his presence, | providential it seems too, is not used |to advantage by associations entcrj prising enough to put up a substantial purse. Let the associations work m harmony. The selfish spirit will operate to the hurt of the sport, and if now the associations fail to make the most of the boxing talent m the country, then those associations cannot complain if they lose public confidence. i |