Sports News From Britain

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26677, 24 January 1948, Page 7

Sports News From Britain

N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 23. Bos Murphy had a new experience this week when he went to Alexandra Palace to be interviewed before the television camera. He replied to several questions diffidently but was enthusiastic about his reception in English boxing circles, especially the fact that his request for a title fight was agreed to willingly without the necessity of a number of preliminaries. He gave only one demonstration— his favourite knockout punch. The sports editor of the Daily Mail says of Murphy: “He is a grand boxer. One of the most stylish seen for many seasons, quick to score, clever in evasion and with a punch that puts men away for the count. He will find Hawkins more formidable' than the coloured Roy Paterson but I think the oddls are in Murphy’s favour.” Bruce Woodcock’s Future Boxing circles are now speculating whether Bruce Woodcock will ever fight again. The reason is Woodcock’s return to Leeds Infirmary with eye trouble for which he underwent an operation last year. It started while he was working in a quarry to toughen up his hands. A pie:k) of stone worked behind his left eye and after an operation he had to be kept in a darkened room for five weeks. The trouble has recurred and he is now resting under observation. In some quarters it is suggested that the heavy punishment Woodcock took in his fight' with Baksi when his jaw was broken has caused him to lose his sting as a fighter and that for his own good he should retire. Freddie Mills’S Title Freddie Mills, who has been resting after a series of fights, is to defend his European light heavy-weight title against Pancho Bueno, the Spanish champion, at Harringway on February 17. Bueno, who has only been beaten once has a good reputation. He recently beat the Frenchman, Renet, and the Scottish heavy-weight champion, Shaw. First Olympic Events The first events for the Olympic Games will begin at St. Moritz, Switzerland, within a few days. There will be 17 events, and 31 nations will be competing. Over 500 pressmen, photographers and radio commentatorswill report the events. British skiers will arrive this week-end to join the skaters and hockey players. Some of the most interesting events will be races on the Cresta run, an ice track 1200 metres long and just wide enough to take a steel toboggan with its rider, who lies face downwards. One Olympic event will be held on the Cresta run, a race consisting of six courses. The champion will be he who has the best aggregate on all six. Britain’s chances in this event are reported to be rosy. McDonald Bailey for Britain The West Indian sprinter, ' E. McDonald Bailgy, who is British sprint champion and co-holder of the British 100 yards record (9.6 sec), may run forBritain in the Olympic Games. Though Trinidad intends to enter a team for the Olympics, they have notified the British Amateur Athletic Board that they will release Bailey. Bailey is very pleased about the decision. “ I have done nearly all my training and achieved most of my successes in Britain,” he said. Bailey, it is commented, will strengthen the British entry and give Britain a second chance of reaching the Olympic final in either the 100 or 200-metre races. Owen and Harris * The New Zealander, D. M. Harris, is training at Loughborough. He is coming to London shortly to be interviewed by the' American Broadcasting Company. „ It is reported that Jesse Owens, who is regarded as the greatest sprinter the world has ever seen, and who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics (100 and 200 Metres, the Long Jump, and Relay) is coming to London this year. He turned professional in 1937, and after earning £40,000 he filed as a bankrupt in 1939. Now it is reported that he has made a financial comeback and that last year he earned £4OOO as a lecturer and -sports gear salesman.Sensation in. Soccer Circles

Jack Bray, manager of the Watford Football Club, and former Manchester City wing half, has caused a sensation in English Soccer circles by resigning and declaring that he was finished with football. ‘lt has become a racket,’” he said, ‘ and 1 am setting out of it." Bray declares that he cannot reconcile his ideals with the game as it was run to-day. “It is being ruined by the ruthlessness of its finance, he said “ The player or little club don t matter anv more. All that matters is money, and a mad scramble for points. No one seems interested in the game as a game. All they think about is the. commercial aspect.” Bray added that sportsmanship was declining Joo. Tom Whittaker. Arsenals manager, does not agree. Though competition is fiercer, he maintains that smaller clubs have a greater chance than ever before As regards the commercial aspect he says it is no different now from what it ever was. He believes that the main problem to-day is a shortage of experienced players.