PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 75

PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS.

By Sport.

"Writing to a friend in Melbourne A. B. Postle, ex-ohampion runner of Australia, states that he intends having a few matches in England during the coming season; Ho will thus ascertain what his form is like, anc'i if unsuccessful he intends returning to Australia. There is just a chance that Mr Rufe Naylor may come later on with Donaldson to endeavour to create a boom in the sport in both Melbourne and SydThe second Marathon Derby which took place at New York recently served to create another world's record'. Last year the little French runner, Henry St. Yves, won the race in 2hr 40min 53 3-ssec. On the occasion under notice Gusta Liungstrom covered the distance in the remarkably fast time of 2hr 34mi:n 8 2-ssec, beating Bouchard's record of 2hr 36m.in 18sec. The race was a fine contest. The Canadian, Hans Holmer, led for 18 miles, then trouble to his feet caused him to stop, and Ljungstmm went, ahead, finally winning by nearly half a mil© from J. C Crowley, who previously held the amateur Marathon record Thure Johansen, who had a record of 2hr 36min 55 l-ssec for a race at the regimental sports a few weeks previously, was third. Holmer ran the first 10 mile, in 55min 26scc. He covered 15 miles_ in lhr 24min 22 l-ssec. His feet were in a terrible state—that bad that he had to bo carried! off the track. Ljungstrom is going to England to run the best man in the Old Country over a 15 or 20-mile course for £SOO. Jeffries's physical condition is a subject of much controversy. Many of those who saw him in a recent exhibition gained the impression that he had recovered much of his old-time form. A number of pugilists and athletk trainers, on the other hand, have stated privately that Jeffries is but a shell of the man who swept all before him. during the years from 1901 to 1901. According to them he cannot regain his former stamina and speed, and will be defeated when he. faces the gigantic negro on July 4. Owen Moran, the English light-weight gave Jeffries's admirers quite a shock when he aired the following opinions:—"Jeffries hasn't any wind. Of course, he has brought into play a .number of fancy slaps, and he manages to hop about the ring for a few minutes. This work is only a flash in the pan. The big fellow has been away from v Jie game too long, and I think it will be 'impossible foi him to mak« a hard fight.

A boxer is no different from a runner or any other athlete. Long retirement is bound to "work a change "for the worse in any athlete, and the change in Jeffries is quite noticeable. When he sparred with Berger in his recent public exhibition he was blowing hard, and it was necessary for Berger to do a little bluffing and stalling in order that Jeffries might slow up a bit and recover his wind. The people didn't tumble to the joke, and went away quite satisfied, but ' Jeff' is too slow and flabby to suit me as a favourite in a match with Johnson." The secretary of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Athletic Union last week received a letter from the Hawke's Bay Centre with respect to the appeal for funds to assist in sending Tvembath to England. The proposal to subscribe towards the fund did not seem to be received favourably in Napiei", Mr Calender writing: The general opinion seems to be that if Tremba.th is to go as the representative of this Dominion, ho shouid prove that he is undoubtedly tlic best that we have got. Now, in my private capacity as handicapper to all the large clubs in ths centre, I have to keep a number of records, and amongst these are the following:—On March 14, 1910, on Trembath's own ground, D. Sanson beat him over the 135 yd« and over 220yds; also 'at InvercargfH Sanson again beat him, giving him Iyd in 135yds, and again in a match for £25 a-sido beat him by 4yds in the quarter. If Tremhath would like to take £IOO out of _ Hawke's Bay, ho can have the opportunity of doing_ so by waiting two months, and then running Sanson for £SO a-side over the 100, 220, and 440 yards, and earn another £SO by running a three-cornered match over 880yds with two men who are willing to take part here, each man to put up £25 and to provide his own p.acers. You might put this matter before Trembath, and let me know as soon as possible whether he ds agreeable to take this on or not. so that the men I mention can get into training at once In the event of anything coming of the matter, we should _ see some great races. . . . My private opinion is that Tram bath is undoubtedly a much-improved man this season, and is the best we have, and would give Davis and Donaldson a great go. Mr Keast (chairman of the Otago Centre) saw Trembath on Monday, who expressed his preparedness to meet Sanson over 440 or 880yds— -he does not claim to bo a champion sprinter—for £SO a-side. Trembath further expressed his intention of asking Sanson if he means business to put up a deposit in Napiev at once binding a _match over either the quarter or halfmile.