BOXING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20174, 11 August 1927, Page 5

BOXING.

By Ceoss Counter. August 17, 18, and 19.—New Zealand amateur championships, at Invercargill. TRAINING COLLEGE TOURNAMENT. The Christchurch Press states that the hosing at the Training College tournament between Christchurch and Dunedin provided some good contests, the Dunedin team being particularly strong. They took four bouts out of the live. Good form was shown by W. Spencer and A. Ferguson (Dunedin) and D. G. Grant (Christchurch), the last named showing much science. W. Spencer (Dunedin), who boat J. Hamlin (Christchurch) in the bantamweight, showed that he knew his work. Hamlin made the fighting, but was wild. He went down for ‘‘eight” in the third round, and the referee stopped the fight. In the light-weight class, A. Ferguson (Dunedin) beat W. Gaudin (Christchurch) . Ferguson began well and made every blow tell. Gaudin’e habit of dropping his guard cost him a lot of punishment. He showed that he could hit hard, but Ferguson’s deliberate fighting won him the bout. _ t The welter-weight bout, in which D. Brown (Dunedin) beat T. Kelly (Christchurch), was very willing, but there was much energy wasted. The pace was too much for both of them. Kelly was feeling the effect of Brown’s face blows. Toward the end the fight was very even, but Brown gained the decision. The only class in which Christchurch won was gthe middle-weight, in which D. G. Grant beat L. Manson. This was the most scientific bout of the tourney. Both watched each other, but Grant got home early with some fine blows to the face. Manson swung wildly at times, but his opponent’s footwork was equal to the occasion. Grant’s straight left was troubling Manson sorely when the gong sounded. The heavy-weight contest, in which A. Malcolm (Dunedin) beat W. Marsh (Christchurch), was short-lived. A wellplaced left dropped Marsh for “three,” and no sooner had he regained his feet than he went down again for the count.

NOTES. Lachie M'Donald, who was to meet Harry Casey in a 10-round bout at Oamaru last night, is anxious to meet the latter in a contest for the Nevv Zealand title. Casey has been in communication with the Otago Boxing Association regarding details in connection with such a contest, but tho association is not prepared to match tho pair in view of their meeting at Oamaru. The Napier Association has every reason to be pleased with the result of the last turnout. About 1200 people attended the contests, and the takings, gauged on tfie prices, were the largest for many years. Tho military authorities in Dunedin propose to hold a boxing tournament for cadets in Area XI A on September 7 and 8. The tournament will bo on the same linos as that held last year. iho co-operation of tho Otago Boxing Association has been asked for, and no uoubt assistance, will bo readily given, as. was done last year. Albert Parker has_ been appointed trainer for the Otago Boxing team at tho New Zealand championships. Tho team will motor to Invercargill, leaving here on Wednesday morning. Napier expects to stage another double feature bill in September, when fresh faces will please tho fans. I am not at liberty to name the suggested contestants (says “Straight-Left,” in the Hawke’s Bay Herald), but it seems certain that Griffiths will be one of tho four. Ike Kutner, who recently returned from Australia, bringing with him Darby O'Connor, was in negotiation with tho Otago Boxing Association with tho object of arranging a contest between O'Connor and Tommy Griffiths in Dunedin. It transpires, however, that a contest between tho pair has been offered bv tho Wellington Association, and has Leon accepted Tho fight will take place on tho 24th inst. O'Connor is described as a really clever and stylish lad, who is sure to become popular with supporters of boxing in New Zealand. I understand that the Hawke’s Bay Association will follow Napier’s lead by staging two 10-round contests in October (says tho bpxing writer in the Hawke’s Bay Herald). An endeavour will be made to find opponents' for Maddox and Griffiths. These two boys properly matched should bo a good draw. Jimmy Carr, of Millerton, has written to the Otago Boxing Association making an application for a fight with either Johnny Leokie or Tommy Griffiths. Carr states that he has been training for some time preparatory to meeting Harry Gunn at Millerton,. but the contest has been postponed till tho latter’s hand gets thoroughly right. Out of 13 contests in the last four years Carr has won seven, lost five, and drawn one. On two occasions he was giving away more than a stone_ in weight. The writer expresses the opinion that he could beat either Leokie or Griffiths, or oould at least satisfy tho public desire for a good clean fight. , Carr, who was born in Dunedin and received all his education hero, is now 27 years of age. Ho enlisted with the 10th Reinforcements for tho Groat War at the ago of 16 years. He says that he is more anxious to secure the title than a purse. Referring to the recent bout between Duke Maddox and Tommy Griffiths, “Straight Left,” writing in the Hawke v Bay Herald says“ Maddox and Griffiths fought a good fight, which those present quite apreciated. Maddox was a lot overweight and could not possibly have been as fit as he needed to bo against one of Griffiths’s calibre. Maddox has appar on tlv cured himself of the habit of turning his back on his opponent. He owes his defeat to lack of condition which was very noticeable towards, tho finish. _ This was not altogether unexpected as sickness kept him off work for quite some time. Tho points were very close, and it was the use Griffiths made of his left which put the issue beyond doubt. Maddox appeared too tired to get out ol roach or use a counter.” . , ... Hastings is sending a remit to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Boxing Association at Invercargill urging that all professional bouts be limited to 10 rounds. It also asks that purses be limited to £l5O. with no expenses. The New Zealand Boxing Council is spending about £2CO in financing teams for tho Now Zealand championships at In voroargill (says the Wellington Post). Applications have been received for five boys from Christchurch, three from Taranaki, four from Hawke’s Bay, two from Marlborough, and one from Temuka. Tho following appreciation of Johnny Decide appeared in the Hawke’s Bay Herald on Saturday: “Johnny is well on tho way to make a name for himself, and if he meets Duke Maddox, Duke will have quite a heap of trouble to look after. Leckio is, I think, the best boy in New Zealand, and he will not have to wait long to prove H.” A special belt for competition at the Now Zealand championships has been donated by Messrs Jamiesons through Mr T. A. Heath, of Napier (says “Straight Left ” in tho Hawke’s Bay Herald). The belt has now gone forward to Wellington, and- from there it will come to Dunedin, and finally to Invercargill. This is the first belt for amateur boxing in New Zealand. and tho winner should be a very proud boy. Tho Jamieson belt is for the most scientific boxer in tho tournament, and not {or any particular weight. Mr G. A. Henry, of Invercargill, has been appointed referee for tho New Zealand amateur championships at Invercargill next week. The judges will be: North Island. Messrs E. A. Craig (Auckland) and E. Stewart (Wellington); South Island. Messrs S. J. Kilmartin (Dunedin) and A South (Oamaru). All have had considerable experience. The New Zealand Council will bo represented by Messrs E. A. Dawson and G. Aldridge, and Mr Earl Stewart has been ashed to nominate candidates for the Olympic (fames. An American writer ?fates that Billy Grime is sure to take the feather title back lo Australia with him, and that if Sammy Mandcl is all that he has to beat for the light-weight title, ho will lake that back, too. Slattery was the best boxer seen at tho Auckland tournament (says the Sun). Ho is exceptionally fast on both feet, and combines this with a good left hand, good defence, and a terrific right-hand punch. Tho paper considers that he should go near to winning his weight at tho New Zca’vnd championships.