PROFESSIONAL BOXING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22908, 16 June 1936, Page 4

PROFESSIONAL BOXING

DON STIRLING v. ARCHIE

HUGHES

It is a long time since a professional boxing contest offered such possibilities as the bout over 15 three-minute rounds in Dunedin between Archie Hughes, of Sydney, and Don Stirling, 0 f Oamaru, which will take place at the Town Hall next Saturday night. Boxing in Otago is on the verge of a big boom, and this bout will launch one of the biggest programmes ever undertaken by the local association. Stirling is recognised as one of the biggest

draweards in the game to-day. The New Zealand welter-weight champion made a line showing against Cyril Pluto recently, and there was very little in Pluto's favour at the finish. Stirling is a colourful boxer, but he will be meeting one of the best ring generals in the game against Hughes, and a solid, hard-punching fighter as well. Hughes is no stranger to Dunedin boxing followers. His contests with Johnny Leckie and Tommy Griffiths sonic years ago will not be forgotten easily, and as a youngster he accomplished what even the Australian champion, Tommy Barber, could not do in his first bout by going 15 rounds with Johnny Leckie. Hughes was always a rugged little fighter and a clever boxer, and on his second visit to the Dominion when he won the New Zealand light-weight title he displayed his powers of punch on more than one occasion, being a great attraction in various parts of the North Island. Judging by his great showing against the New South Wales welter-weight champion recently, he is an improved fighter, and with years ot boxing still ahead of him he is right out to orove his mettle against Stirling, on whose welter-weight crown he has aspirations. The bout is listed for 15 threeminute rounds and should be full of action, and an excellent lead-up for the many attractive contests promised in the next few months Mr Don Paterson will referee the main bout, which will be preceded by several attractive preliminaries, which are advertised.