BOXING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 4

BOXING.

By Cross Counter. MCARTEX AND BUCKLEY. What would have happened if M'Carten and Buckley had been allowed to continue their contest when they met as a preliminary to the Leckie-Griffiths fight two weeks ago? This question nas been asked by a good many, and there are those who are inclined to believe that Buckley would have gained the verdict had the fight been allowed to go the distance. Personally, I do not agree with that view. Had M'Carten been able to maintain the pace he started with I believe he woul! have stopped Buckley. He is very game, and he knows something about it. It would be interesting to see these boys meet in some future contest. HERE AND THERE. Fred Smitheram, the Oamaru amateur welter-weight boxer, who has nad 22 bouts with only four losses, is anxious to join the professional ranks. Another amateur has been issued a professional license. This is George Adams, the Wellington feather-weight, who out of 22 fights has won 16, 11 by the short route, drawn one, and lost five. Although Friday night fights at the Sydney Stadium were reported to be verj popular, the management has now made a further change, the bouts being field on Mondays instead of Fridays. The New Zealand Boxing Council has adopted Mr Earl Stewart’s recommendations regarding Olympic games condidates and has decided to endorse the names of Cleverley and Morgan. O’Sullivan’s name is to be sent on to the Olympic ‘Council with the recommendation that he should also be sent if sufficient funds are available. , Someone has dared to call the heavyweight champion of the world a “ sissy.” When Tunney was going to see his mother one very warm afternoon he rode in an open car with his hat off. When passing two young girls on bicycles one glanced at the young man with the somewhat curly locks and called out “Sissy! ” The champion tells this story himself.

MORE ABOUT “GRIFFO.” Contrary to general belief (a writer remarks), clever boxers are not a modern product. “ Grifo ” was an outstandingly clever boxer at a time when there was no dearth of “ heady ” fighters. He was wonderful at defence, using his hands and arms with unnerving accuracy. In many of his fights his opponent hardlylanded a blow through his wonderful guard. Nevertheless, he could punch, and, if he knew he had nothing to fear, he would not be long in producing a knockout. _ ,

Billy Murphy, one of New Zealand’s greatest boxers, who achieved fame in America, thus describes “Griffo,” whom he fought twice: "The clever boxers of to-day are as far away from ‘ Griffo ’ as I am from the sun. He fought after the style of Jem Mace, the champion English boxer pf former days. There was nothing of the cel about ‘ Griffo ’—he fought straight up, making wonderful use of his hands. He was careful if he was not sure of his opponent’s calibre, but he could let himself go when he wished. I consider him the cleverest boxer I have seen.” Murphv first came to know Griito in Melbourne, when the latter was among the top-rankers in the Commonwealth. The centre of boxing in Melbourne of those clavs the ’eighties, was Costellos Hall, in Burke street. Murphy was diesirous of proceeding overseas and fights wore being staged for him in order to provide the necessary funds. He fought Jerry Marshall and knocked him out in 15 seconds. Murphy then offered the princely sum of £5 to the man who coma stay four rounds with him. ' Griffo came along, but would fight only on the condition that the £5 was paid him, wm or lose. It was not a very satisfactory fight, as “ Griffo ” was merely content to stay’his four rounds. “ Griffo ” met Murphv again in Sydney in a ding-dong battle 'which lasted for 22 rounds. He gained the verdict, Murphy being disqualified on a foul. , . , "Griffo” had a particular aversion tor Jerrv Marshall, whom he would not consent-' to fight. Marshall had a forceful stvle of fighting, which was of the type which disconcerted his clever guard. It is recorded that “Griffo” was_ persuaded to go overseas some years prior to the time he finally quitted Australia for good and all. When the boat was Inst drawing away from the Sydney wharf he learnt that Marshall was also on board. "Griffo” immediately jumped into the water and swam ashore. The Australian finally left for America in 1803. His first light was with George Lavinge. with whom lie drew. He later had a win over " Spider” Weir, well known in boxing circles at the time. Next he drew with Johnny Griffin, who. from being one of Americas foremost fighters, had' degenerated into a cocaine fiend. The coloured boxer George Dixon niej; him twice, both matches resulting in 4 draw. One of the fights, staged in Boston. was palpably “Griffo’s” fight. Dixon did not once land a blow through “ Griffo’s ” guard. “ Griffo ” also fought Jack M'Auliffe. the light-weight champion. Although M'Auliffe obtained a verdict on points, the audience showed plainly that they considered the fight should have gone to Griffiths. The Australian boxed well, and after a few rounds the crowd, which had formerly been pro-M'Auliffe, realised that Griffiths was the better man. The fight was of in rounds, and by the time it was over “Griffo” had made hia opnonent appear like an amateur. “Griffo” stopped in America. He did not improve his boxing, but gradually sunk lower and lower. He had several matches after the M'Auliffe fight, but these were in the main with boxers of lessor fame. He was recently discovered in a pitiful condition, half blind and destitute, in a poor quarter of Xew York. An appeal to boxing enthusiasts obtained him some measure of relief, but at his death he was destitute and in a general ru» down condition.