BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 58

BOXING.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES. August 25 and 26.—i Six rounds and novice tournament. September 22 and 23 —Suggested dates Australasian Championships at Dunedin. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. P. W., Alexandra writes:—“(l) Has Jack Johnson fought anyone since his victory over Jeffries? (2) If he has, was it for the championship?” Yes, ho fought Jim Flynn for the championship, and got the decision on a foul through Flynn butting with head. J. M., Middlemarch, writes:—“(l) What was the weight and height of Bob Fitzsimmons when he was in the ring? (2) Does ho hold the middle-weight championship of Australia at the present day? (3) What was the fighting weight of Tommy Burns?” (1) list 111 b and sft ll|in. (2) No; ho did hold it at one time. (3) Burns’s usual fighting weight was in the neighbourhood of 13st, but when he met Johnson his weight was 12et 11b. BY STRAIGHT LEFT. Within a week the Otago Boxing Association will be holding a combined novice and six-round bout tournaanent, and judging by the number, of seasoned bo x c rs who have signified theii intention of competing in the six-round events the fixture should bo one of the best over held by the association. The governing body of boxing in this province, unlike those in some of the other centres, devote their funds towards encouraging the young men who follow and engage in this form of sport, and when a man succeeds in winning a contest he receives a trophy of which any man might be proud. The members of our association generally speaking have very little time for the professional element, and as a result wo are not troubled with any of the “pothunting” brigade here, which is something to be thankful for. A first-class professional exhibition is well worth witnessing, but we have very few fast-class men in the Dominion; indeed, it is extremely doubtful if we have any just now. I would rather see an exhibition by two of our best amateurs any day than have to suffer the agony of sitting out a 15-round contest between two professionals of less than ordinary ability. The six-round bouts scheduled for next week are creating more than ordinary interest, as most of the contestants have been opposed to each other formerly. The Olago bantam champion, G. Smith, will meet a former opponent in the person of Pat O’Farrell, and as the latter was suffering a little from the effects of an injured hand when they last met it is safe to say there will be “something doing” when they meet this time.

P. Torrie and A. Lane have met previously, the latter getting the decision on a foul. There arc many who- hold that Lane is the best feather-weight in Otago, and a groat deal can be said in support of this contention. At the recent championship tournament he met A. Goodman on the opening night, and was rather unlucky in not being declared the winner. In justice to Goodman, however, it must bo said that ho was not well that night, which accounted for his rather poor display. In any case, there was little between the pair. On the second night Goodman fought with a lot of dash, having recovered from the ailment from which he was suffering the night before. Goodman meets Armstrong, over whom he got a decision some time ago. J. Munro (Otago and Southland light-weight champion) will have Chcttlcburgh as an opponent, but the latter will have to show up better than he did against J. North at the championships to make Munro’s task a difficult one. Young North was really a novice when ho entered the ring, but he showed sufficient form to enable good judges to pronounce him “a comer” in the near future. Ho will no doubt bo scon in the novice class this time. G. Edwards, the only welter-weight we have of any note, will perhaps be u;> against a stiffer proposition than any of the local men. He meets A. Woods, of Invercargill, who has been selected ns emergency in his class in the New Zealand team to compete at the Australasian championships. Woods created a very favourable impression at Timaru last month, and was considered to ho have had the worst of luck in having the decision given against him hi his contest with Senior, of Westport. Edwards will, however, prove a hard nut for the Southlander to ciack, and ho will know that he has been boxing by the time the final gong sounds. Two old opponents in D. Boreham and H. Withcy will meet in the middleweight class. Last time they mot Boreham got the decision, but this was considered a palpable error on the part of the judges, as Withcy undoubtedly won. However, Boreham '6 a "cod man, hut wo have not seen him at his best this year. Ho is inclined to lose control of himseif at times, and then ho boxes most erratically. If ho will only keep cool and box according to instructions Boroham is as good a middle-weight as can be found in the Dominion to-day. In the hoavv-weight division A. C. Cooper will meet E Smith. This should be a good contest. as both are clean hitters and stand up to their task. There will be a great many novices comneting at this tournament, and it is not improbable that wo shall see some of next year’s champions in action, as it. is reported that more than one of the local instructors have some promising youths in the course of preparation. The following arc the entries so far received for the Australasian championships: Now Zealand. —Bantam, H. Davis; feather, N. Bennetts; light-weight, W. Rhutt;' welter, S. Mitchell; Middle, H. Withcy ; heavy, G. Matthowson. New South Wales. —Bantam, J. King; feather. F. Brownlee; light, F. A. Lacey; welter, F. Macquarie; middle, M. Duffy; Tho heavy-weight representative has yet to be chosen. Tasmania. Bantam, O. MacMillan; feather, C. M'Naught; heavy. J. Whittle. Balance of team to be chosen later. Victoria. —Bantam, J. W. Janncso; welter,

J. J. Goddard. Rest of team will be selected later. Queensland. The team will not be chosen until after the Queensland championships, which commence on the 20:h inst. The secretary of the Queensland Association has cabled that a full team will be sent. Notwithstanding that the Canterbury Association was unable to send a team to Dunedin to compote for the Wairongoa Shield, Mr Isaacs, secretary of the Otago Association, has received several offers from Canterbury men to box here. An effort is being made to get together a complete record of Otago champions since boxing commenced hero, and anyone having any information which will assist the project is asked to communicate with the secretary of the association. * DAVE SMITH v. JERRY JEROME. BRISBANE, August 13. In the light heavy-weight championship, Dave Smith boat Jerome in the eleventh round. TOURNAMENT AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, August 12. The contest for the professional lightweight championship of New Zealand, between J. Hagorty (holder) and P. Cook (challenger), at the King’s Theatre to-night, under the auspices of the Christchurch Sports Club, drew a crowded house, many people being unable to gain admission. The bout went the full 15 rounds, contrary to the general expectation, and was interesting all through. Remembering that he had previously defeated Cook somewhat easily, Hagerty apparently hold him too cheaply, and was to all appearances not in the best of condition. Cook put up a good fight, having a slight advantage in the opening rounds, but Hagerty, although evidently somewhat stale, improved as the contest proceeded. Cook used a straight left with much advantage, but Hagerty was much superior at in-fighting and work at close quarters. There were many who were of opinion that Cook should have secured the verdict. The bout was characterised by a good deal of clinching, but the audience showed its appreciation of the good w-ork of both contestants by frequently applauding.

Prior to the professional contest, two amateur bouts were decided. In the first, M'Nicholl was too good for Webb, but the second, between Digby and Vernal], was a groat contest. Both fought willingly, Ycrnall making most of the pace and showing more science than his opponent, who was the stronger fighter. It was a firstclass and exciting bout. , Following are the details of the contests; AMATEUR BOUTS (Six Two-minute Rounds).

G. M'Nicholl, Bst 31b (Christchurch) v. R. Webb, Set 51b (Christchurch). —M'N.choll hold the advantage from the etart, and in the fourth round had Webb groggy, the light being stopped, and M'Nicholl de>ckired the winner.

J. Digby, 9st 21b (Ashburton) v, R. Vernall, 9st 71b (Christchurch). —Both contestants got home with good hard blows, Vernall doing most of the leading. Digby was inclined to swing wildly, but ho sent in some hard hits. Both tired towards the finish, and at the last round exchanged blow for blow, neither claiming any advantage. Digby was declared the winner, but the verdict met with a mixed reception. LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND. J. Hagerty (holder), 9st 81b, v. P. Cook (challenger), 9st 81b.—Both men opened quietly, missing with swings. _ Hagerty showed to advantage in In-lighting. Cook got home a "straight left in the next round or two, but Hagerty did not over-oxert himself. In the fifth round Hagerty began to force the pace, getting in an occasional right and left, and Cook replying with lefts to the head. The seventh round saw good work by Hagerty at close quarters. Feinting cleverly, he shot a Icj/t home towards the close. The next four rounds saw Hagerty further improving, and forcing the fighting. Cook went better in the twelfth round, and got homo a few good lofts. The thirteenth round was wound up by a good rally by Hagerty. Oook again got his left going in the fourteenth round, but Hagerty evened matters up at close quarters. In the last round Hagerty went after his man, and easily held the advantage. He was declared the winner on points.