BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2978, 12 April 1911, Page 65

BOXING.

RECEPTION TO DAVE SMITH. If Mr Dave Smith, the erstwhile Otago middle-weight amateur championj who has returned to Dunedin after his successful career as a professional in Sydney, was not a brilliant boxer, he would be a clever monologue entertainer. He demonstrated this in a remarkable manner at a reception tendered him on the 4th by the Otago Boxing Association, when, responding to the toast, of his health (proposed in fitting terms by Mr S. S. Myers,. one of the vicepresidents of the association) . he entertained a ' large gathering of enthusiasts with amusing anecdotes of his experience in Sydney. He was particularly happy in his stories concerning the characteristics and quaint methods of the members of tho American boxing team —Roy Bronson, Jim.Clabby, Cycloqe Thompson, and Billy Papke-—-with whom, he came in contact not alone in the boxing area but in the training camp. Born in Mosgiel, Otago, and receiving his earliest instructions in the art from Mr Davis, of South Dunedin, Dave Smith proved an exceptionally apt pupil. As a member of the Otago Boxing Association and / competing under its rules, he won all the .contests he entered for, earning the reputation of being a clean and clever boxer. Smith's career has been meteoric. Joining the professional ranks little more than two years ago, practically as a novice, he quickly won recognition, as one of the most brilliant exponents of boxing that New Zealand has ever produced. Speaking of his experiences in Sydney, the Otago champion confessed -that he had learnt a good deal in the art of boxing, but looked with pride on receiving. the ground work of his training in Dunedin. He explained that the visit of the American team had somewhat revolutionised the style of boxing in Australia, but he did not approve of the methods which were opposed to the clean break-away of the Australians and New Zealandere. Referring to the number of fatalities that had occurred of late. Smith said that he was strongly of opinion that the law, wihich exists in New Zealand, making it compulsory for competitors to be medically examined before entering the ring should be made universal. Of his recent contest with Papke, the American (the only one. by the way, _ in which-he has experienced defeat in his career _ as a .boxer), Smith explained that the night before the contest ho was suffering from ptomaine poisoning, and, though he fought well, was rot as fit as he might have been. . It is the intention of the Otago champion to spend a few weeks in New Zealand, and then tour tho world. He hopes to go .to London, which city Mr Hugh MTntosh, the wellknown promoter, has held out inducements for iiim to visit COMING WORLD'S CHAMPION. INTERVIEW AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, April 6. Jack Lester, who " Tommy" Burns claims is the next man to regain the chamuionship of the world; for the white race from Jack Johnson, .arrived in Auckland by the Talune from tho Islands this morning. Lester, who is to meet Lang in Sydney on April 16 under Mr M'lntosh's management, left San Francisco for Tahiti by the Mariposa, which it was thought would land him i:i Sydney in plenty of time to train for his fight with Lang, but the route proved to be the longest, for Lester only reached Auckland this morning and cannot get to Sydney before next week, and a postpone-

menfc of the fight for at least a month will be necessary. In a ohat to-day with Lester, who is a quiet, unassuming young fellow, his appearance reminding one of his manajrer and trainer "Tommy" Burns, said he had no chance to do any training on the way across, as the boats were too small, and as he suffered somewhat from seasickness. He was at present a long way below form. The visit to Australia was principally for the purpose of gaining ring experience, and in addition to.meeting Lang M'lntosh has promised him two other matches, but his opponents are not yet known. He expects to be in Australia for some months, and will then return to America in about 12 months. Burns will then pit him against the champion " Jack Johnson. Lester, who was born in Bessemer (Michigan), will be 20 j'ears of age next month. Ho is sft 9in in height, and m condition will weigh about 14st 71b. He has been at the boxing game for about three years, and in amateur and professional ranks has fought 30 fights, and has not yet tasted defeat, holding the title of Pacifio coast ohampion. His last fight was with "Pete" Muldoon, a fast, clever man, whom he defeated in three rounds "Tommy" Burns, who will train and manago' Lester, is on his way to Sydney by the Vancouver route, and Lester will meet him in the New South "Wales capital. BOXING FATALITY. SYDNEY, April 5. Eleven men were charged at Newcastle in connection with the death of the boxer Bryant. On the application of the police all were discharged. TOMMY BURNS. VANCOUVER, April 6. "Tommy" Burns will "put on" boxing bouts at Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary under the authority of a Dominion charter, which has been granted to the National .Sporting Association.