BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 57

BOXING.

BY STRAIGHT LEFT.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES. August 25 and 26.—Wairongoa Shield contest, Otago v. Canterbury, at Dunedin. September 22 and 23 —Suggested dates Australasian Championships at Dunedin.

The New Zealand Amateur BoxingChampionships are now a thing of the past as lar us this season is concerned, and already followers ot the sjjort are turning tneir attention to the Australasian iHuunp.onsUips, to be field in Duuccun next mount. However, a few remarks upon the tournament which concluded at Timaru on T rid ay evening last should not be out ot piaco at this juncture 1 . The general management of the fixture was very good, and delegates ahd visitors were wed treated, the members ot tho j imam Association being indefatigable in their ctlone to make everyone enjoy themselves duiiug the short holiday in Timaru. fck> far as the actual tournament was concorned, it was a good one, and, with the exceptions of some decisions which were open to question, everything passed off nil right. The first jarring note in this connection was on the opening night, when the Otago feather-weight representative, A. Goodman, lost to the Timaru representative, J. Collins. The decision was not well received, anti visitors to the tournament from Dunedin were much displeased with the result. It is only to be expected that local followers of boxing should be disappointed .at the result, as every town likes to see its representatives triumph, and therefore any adverse ciiticism made by enthusiasts who journeyed to Timaru are open to be discounted to a certain extent. When the decision is questioned by a man who is writing an unbiassed account of the contest in question, it would seem that there was a certain amount of reason for the epithets hurled at the judges by returned Dunedinitce. The writer in the Timaru Poet, in his condensed description of the bout, shows that Goodman did most of tho scoring, and ho finishes by saying: “The bout went to Collins, a decision that was rather surprising.” Continuing a general comment, the writer says:—“Tho judges differed in two cases and the referee gave in his vote; in one or two of the bouts tho decisions on the showing were very peculiar. In one case a man who simply hung on for the greater part of the time got tho verdict; it was most strange, and brought a look of surprise on the winner’s face and of disgust on that of the loser. The most popular win of the evening was that of Collins; -the lad boxed beautifully, and though lie was outclassed bv Goodman, all will hope that Collins will be successful in the final.” Another decision on the same evening which evidently did not please was that given at the conclusion of the welter bout between W. Senior (Westport) and A. Woods (Invercargill). The Timaru Post says: —“There was no applause when the announcer gave ‘Senior wins.’ Woods got a great reception; lie fought hard all the way of two rounds, while Senior stood off, and at tunes ran away.” This report indicates that Senior did most of the boxing m the last round, but, judging from the final passage quoted in tho foregoing, the writer was of the opinion that tho margin of points was in Woods’s favour when the final gong sounded. It is regrettable that such apparent errors of judgment should arise, and evident mistakes such as have been quoted only go to show how necessary it is for the authorities controlling the sport of boxing to consider the question of securing the services of gentlemen whose lengthy experience of amateur sport, boxing in particular, entitles them to adjudicate at any contests hold. This would put an end to the dissatisfaction which at present exists among competitors. The Timaru Association were not as strict ns they might have been in regard to tho costumes worn by competitors. In one particular instance a man was permitted to contest a bout attired in a costume which one local paper described as almost indecent. There is a rule relating to the costumes to bo worn bv competitors, and this should bo rigorously enforced, and in not doing so tho officials at Timaru were lacking in their duty to the public as well as to tho sport. The finals were decided on Friday evening, when some good boxing all round was witnessed. The programme opened with a meeting between A. C. Cooper (Invercargill) and 11. Withy (Ohagc). This was a very interesting middle-weight contest, and Withy won, and, incidcnt’.ally, it might be remarked that the well-timed straight left he used enabled him to score a win which was full of merit, later in the evening Withy beat Manning, of Christchurch, in tho final, after a most willing contest, in which the Christchurch man made a determined effort to turn the tide in his favour in the last stages of the final encounter. He little knew his man if ho thought ho would achieve his object, for one more astute in the ring is not to be found among amateurs. Withy has achieved the distinction as a middleweight that many of his .admirers prophesied ho would, and he is to be congratulated upon his success. C. Stewart (Timaru) who scored a narrow victory against G. Smith (Otago) on the opening night in the bantam class, won the final from .7. O’Neill (Westport), and this goes to show what a stiff proposition young Smith was up against, and further proves that he is a bantam of some quality. O’Neill has for the past couple of years been regarded as the best in his class in the Dominion, and it was no mean achievement for Stewart to give him a sound beating. As was expected, Bennetts won the feather-weight championship by beating Freddie Kerr. On the second night Bennetts walked rings round Collins, who got a. decision over Goodman on the first night. On Friday night Kerr boxed well, and on one occasion drove his man on to the ropes, only to be treated in a like manner the next Instant. Kerr, in the opinion of good judges, is not quite class for Goodman, bo that but for the decision given against him on his initial appearance, it might be said that the Otago feather-weight would have fought out the final with the present champion It is doubtful, however, if Goodman would have beaten the Auek-

lander, as he is in a class by himself just now. Jack Munro, the Otago and Southland light-weight champion, fought his way into the final for the Dominion title, his excellent condition and tremendous hitting power making him too rough a proposition for most of those opposed to him. He met his Waterloo in the final, however, when Shntt, a Timaru boicr, physically his equal and his superior as a boxer and a hitter, outclassed him. The latter made no mistake about the Otago man, and from the order to commence he rattled him, and never gave him a moment's peace, using both hands freely, and before the end of the first round the bout was stopped by the referee on a signal to do so coming from the Subinspector of Police. Munro was not class enough for the man opposed to him. S. Mitchell (Auckland) was awarded the decision over Senior (Westport), on the costing veto of the referee in the final for the Welter-weight Championship. This, again, goes to show what a difference there might have been in the personnel of this championship had other judges presided at the ringside. Under ordinary circumstances Woods, of Invercargill, would have contested the final against Mitchell, and on the latter’s showing against Senior, there would have been little doubt as to the result. The selection of Woods as second man for the Australasian championships shows that his ability as a boxer was not lost sight of by the 'selectors; but it hardly compensates for the loss he sustained owing to a surprising decision against him. The greatest surprise of the tournament was the decision in the final for the Heavyweight Championship. Hughes, of Invercargill, was awarded a. win over Paul M ‘Quarry, although the latter almost knocked his opponent out. The judges disagreed, and the referee voted for Hughes, this being described by the Timaru Post as “ a most extraordinary decision.” Anyone knowing the ability of the two men could scarcely imagine Hughes, who is more of a comedian in the ring than a boxer, gaining an able and experienced judge's verdict over n man of M'Qunrry’s ability, and how the judges and the referee arrived at the conclusion they did it is hard to understand. The team selected to represent the Dominion against the bo>ers from Australia is a good one. and it is specially pleasing to see G. Mathewaon in the role of heavywtight representative. AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPION SHIPS. NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVES. TIMARU, August 3. The following have been selected to represent New Zealand in the Australasian Boxing Championships at Dunedin on September 22 and 23 : —_ Bantam Weight.—H. Davis (Gisborne), C. Stewart (Timaru). Feather-weight.-—N. Bennetts (Auek land), F. Kerr (Wellington). Light-weight. —W. Shutt (Timaru), G. Thomas (Wanganui). Welter-weight. —S. Mitchell (Auckland), A. Woods (Invercargill). Middle-weight.—H. Withey (Dunedin), A. C. Cooper (Dunedin). Heavy-weight.—G. Mathewsou (Dunedin). NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. TIMARU, July 30. The New Zealand boxing championships were begun to-night at the Olympia Hall, which was crowded. The following are the results: Bantams. Brice (Wellington) beat M'Nioholl (Christchurch), J. O Neil (Westport) beat 11, Davis (Gisborne), C. Stewart (Timaru) beat G. Smith (Otago) Feather-weight.—F. Kerr (Wellington) brat W. Terris (Ashburton), N. Bennett (Auckland) beat 11. Owen (Invercargill), J. Collins (Timaru) boat A. Goodman (Otago). Light-weight. —J. Munro (Otago) bout W. James (Auckland), J. Hunter (Wellington) was knocked out by J. Pen rose (Christchurch), W. Shutt (Tini'u. u) boat G. Thomas (Wanganui). Middle-weight.— 11 Withey (Otago) beat O. Cato (Gisborne), P. Manning (Christchurch) bout A. Dalziel (Wellington). Welter-weight. —W. Senior (Westport) beat A. Wood (Invorcarg 1!). .1. Murphy (Wellington) beat G. Morrisc.i (Geraldine). Heavy-weight.—J. Hughes (Invercargill) beat J. Robertson (Christchurch). ‘ July 31. The second night of the New Zealand Boxing Championships «as held hero tonight, in the presence of a very large gathering. Fo'lowing arc the tun it its: Feather-weight. —N. Vcrnall (Christchurch), 9st, boat A. Joavois (Manawatu). Semi-finals; N. Bennetts (Auckland), Bst 101 b, beat J. Collins (Timaru), Bst 111 b; F. Kerr (Wellington), 9st, beat N. Vernail (Christchurch), 9st. Middle-weight.—A. C. Cooper (Invercargill), Hat 4lb, beat J. Cailtnan (Auckland), lOst 101 b; P. Manning (Christchurch), list 11b, beat A. Clarke (i’imaru), list 31b, by a knock-out blow in the first round; H. Withey (Otago), a bye. Welter-weight.—S. Mitchell (Auckland), lOst 71b, beat A. J. Havill (Wanganui), lOst. Sorni-final: W. Senior (Westport), lOst 71b, beat J. Murphy (Wellington), lOst 71b. Light-weight—T. Alexander (Ashburton), 9st lllb, boat T. Naylor (Invercargill), 9st 71b. Semi-final: J. Munro (Otago), lOst, beat T. Alexander (Ashburton), 9st 121 b; W. Shutt (Timaru). a bye. Heavy-weight.—P. M'Quarrie (Gisborne), 12st 51b, beat P. Hampton (Ashburton), 14st, by a knock-out in the first round. Bantam. —C. Stewart (Timaru), Bst 21b, beat H. Brice (Wellington), Bst 11b; J. O’Neill (Westport), a bye. August 1. The New Zealand Boxing Championships were concluded here to-night in the presence of a very largo gathering. The following arc the results: Middle-weight.-—Semi-finals: H. \3 itliey (Otago) list beat A. C. Cooper (Invercargill) list 21b; P. Manning (Christchurch) list lib a bye. Final: H. Withey (Otago) beat P. S. Manning (Christchurch). Bantam-weight. Final : C. Stewart (Timaru) Bst 11b beat J. O’Neill (Westport) Bst lib. Feather-weight. Final: N. Bennetts (Auckland) Bst 101 b beat F. Kerr (Wellington) Bst lllb. Light-weights.—Final: W. Shutt (Timaru) 9st lllb beat J. Munro (Otago) 9st 131 b. Shutt was so superior that the fight had to be stopped jn the first round Welter-weights.—Final : S Mitchell (Auckland) lOst 71b beat W. Senior (Westport) lOst 61b. Heavy-weight. Final : .1, T. Hughes (Invercargill) I2.st 31b beat P. M'Quarrie (Gisborne) 12st 6!b.

Special.—Most scientific boxer in bantanaa —C. Stewart (Tiinaru) Special.—Most scientific boxer in welterweight—A. G. Havill (Wanganui). PROFESSIONAL MIDDLE-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. MASTER TON, July 50. Denny Murphy, of Wellington, defeated Barney Ireland, of Waipawa. to-night in a 15-rounc! contest for the professional middleweight championship of New Zealand and a puiee of £SO. The decision was given on points, and was received with loud cheering. ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE. TIMAR.U July 30. At the annual meeting of the delegates to the Boxing Association the Chairman, Mr H. Goodwin (Timaru), in his opening address, recommended the setting up of a special authority to control the issue of permits to hold competitions, and suggested the Minister of Justice, the Police Commissioner, and an elected member of the Boxing Association in Wellington. H e spoke in support of the Wellington remit recommending the carrying on of the competitions on a percentage basis, as at present the local associations ran great financial risks in favour of professionals who were out to make money. After a good deal of discussion on a remit from Otago it was carried unanimously that no competitor shall represent a centre at the New Zealand Championships unices he is a bona fide resident of the centre, but that he shall bo eligible to represent any other association provided the consent of hio own centre is obtained. It was decided that “bona fide resident” means one who ■has been resident at least one month. “Break” was defined to mean that each competitor must step back after the break with both feet. On the question of competitors’ expenses it was decided that professionals’ expenses bs limited to £ls ns at present. The remit to give the controlling body tha option of giving «. prize or not in a walkover was rejected, and also the remit to hold future conferences in Wellington. After a good deal of discussion it was decided that the promoting body may give professionals a purse or a percentage. A proposal that all matches be made through the associations was not adopted, but a recommendation will be sent to the council that when matches are made the looa.l secretaries should be advised. A remit asking that the control by cent-es be bettor defined was withdrawn, as the present rules suffice if acted upon. Regarding the suggestion mentioned by the chairman that an official authority should control the issue of permits it was decided to set up « committee to deal with the matter in Wellington. It was decided to delete from the rule regarding providing men for byes the words referring to these as “additional entries.” It was decided to submt to the council that where there are two competitors the giving of a second prize shall bo optional. Some minor matters were dealt with and *he conference closed. WARNING TO BOXERS. PUNISHMENT FOR BODILY INJURY. BRUSSELS, August 2. After the Carpentier-Wells fight a Bill was introduced providing for a fine or imprisonment for bodily injury inflicted in a boxing match. Parliament was unable to discuss the Bill, but the Minister of Justice has given force to it by ordering all magistrates to prosecute pitilessly all participators in boxing matches for any bodily harm inflicted.