BOXER’S PROMISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26479, 5 June 1947, Page 2

BOXER’S PROMISE

K. ANDERSON’S BRIGHT PROSPECTS Ken Anderson, one of the best boxing prospects Otago has had since the days of Johnny Leckie, has built up an impressive record since he made his first appearance in the ring at Waimate two years ago when he was only 13. His opponent on that occasion was a boy named Chang whom Anderson defeated on points. Anderson has had 19 contests for 19 wins—l 6 on points and three by the knock-out. He has defeated provincial champions from the West Coast, Canterbury. Southland, and North Otago, and had the distinction last year of winning the Southland Amateur Flyweight Championship by outpointing Frank Brown who subsequently won the New Zealand Amateur Fly-weiglit title. In a return bout after Brown had won the Dominion title. Anderson again won on points. Anderson won the Otago amateur title last year, but his instructor, Mr

Claude Wylie, w’ho has brought him along carefully, wisely decided not to send him to the Dominion championships. believing it to be too much of a strain for so young a lad. Wylie informed “ Observer ” last week that Anderson would be a competitor at the Otago championships but that he would not take port in y the Dominion tournament, and the trainer’s steadfast regard for the boy’s interests is to be admired. By 1950 when the next British Empire Games are held, Anderson should be in the top flight. A butcher by occupation, he is most attentive to his training, and his trainer regards him as one of the most conscientious • boxers in his experience. That good judge of a boxer. Hector Leckie. former New Zealand professional light-weight champion, expressed the opinion recently that Anderson was the most promising amateur he had seen since Johnny Leckie was beginning his climb to fame and that Anderson had an even wider variety of punches than Johnny did at a similar stage of his development. Such an opinion is entitled to considerable respect, and Ken Anderson's future career will be followed with interest. Two of his brothers have shown promise in the ring—Alex is a feather-weight and Jack boxes in the welter-weight class.