BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3103, 3 September 1913, Page 57

BOXING.

The tournament concluded by the Otago Boxing Association on Tuesday evening provided, ail things considered, the best entertainment, so far os novices go that has been seen here lor a long tune. There were, of course, instances where the competitors were hardly ready for the roped arena, but if they showed want of experience and lack of knowledge they mad© up for tins by their courtage and ability to take punishment The Otago Association are to be complimented upon the manner in which tiro very largo programme presented each night was got otf, without a hitch of any kind. In this they were assisted in a largo measure by the competitors, who were ready in most cases to take their places in the ring immediately their turn came There were eight competitors in the novice Bantam section, all of whom showed a very fair knowledge of boxing, the various bouts being rather interesting. A young fellow named Williams boxed bis way into the final, and was scheduled to meet J. Dane, a boy with an excellent knowledge of the art, in tho final. The latter, however, was not able to compete in tho final, owing to being called away early in the evening. The contest between this pair would have been a good one, but on their respective performances Lane would probably have proved the winner, ns he is more versatile than the other lad. Another competitor in this das? who shows a good deal of promese is W. Cameron. He is coo! and uses a left well, while A. Melville, who has appeared at former novice tournaments, docs not seem to have improved much since hs initial appearance. R. Morris made a good show in his bout with Williams, particularly in the second round, in which he scored freely.

The Featherweights were perhaps the worst class seen in action. There was only one competitor in this class who showed any ability worthy of mention, and that was D. M‘Gregor, who contested the final with J. M'Auliffe. The decision went against him it is true, a,nd he must bow to the ruling of the judges There wore, however, those present who considered that the decision should have been the other way. Certainly M ‘Gregor boxed better than did M'Auliffe. and landed with clean and well directed blows, while his opponent was inclined to “flick” with Ins open glove and rough it. The others were a poor lot. J. North won the trophy presented for the Lightweights, his most serious opponent being D. Wylie, who, while not having a chance with the more rugged North, used a left to some purpose at times. He was sent bo the boards frequent 1 v by terrific left and right blows which might have put a less gritty lad out of action. North is a “comer,” but his mentor should pay special attention to his charge in the direction of teaching how to time and direct his punches, and also to instructing him in footwork. Wylie will make good yet, and when he has built up a little he wifi be a solid proposition for any man opposed to h;rn. There was very little quality among the competitors in the Welters, the best of a bunch of four being R. Torrie, who was disqualified in the final for hitting low. It was unfortunate for this boxer to be put out when ho had an excellent chance of winning a trophy, and thus get out of the novice class. His misfortune is attributable in a great degree to his teacher, who should have taught him the proper way. bo deliver an uppercut. In fairness to Torrie it might b* explained that Pearson was also hitting low at the time the blow in question was delivered, the latter at times landing on the former’s thigh. M'Leod, who went under to Torrio on the opening night, has a better style than any of the other welters, and as he is only a beginner there is every reason to believe that he will develop into a very fair boxer.

The four competitors who took part in the Heavyweight class may bo said to bo fine specimens of mankind, being well built, with youth on their side. Their experience, judging from their exhibitions, is limited, but with good and careful training they should furnish into good boxers. Young Tvson, who won the final in this class, Inis not yet attained his majority, and the plucky way in which he took everything Unit came along, and returned blows with interest added, stamps him as a future champion. Ho is strong, and carries a powerful punch in cither hand, and when ho gains the necessary experience he will be a hard nut to crack. G. Willetts, who acted as runner-up, is only a recent arrival here, and appears to have done more boxing than the winner. He, however, lacks the ability to deliver hie blows accurately; in fact, is rather weak in this department, and his gloves usually land on the top of Ids opponent’s head when they are directed to the face. He will get out of this later on. Stew ait is hardly class enough for a heavyweight, but is more at homo among as was proved when he met and defeated Smith in this class on the second night. Stewart is only very moderate as a heavy, and appears to know very little about boxing. He might improve later. Of the six-round contests those which appealed to the audience were the SmithO'Farrell and the Boreham-Withey contests. The first mentioned took place on the first night, and was a splendid contest. Both bantams went at it at a great pace from the beginning, and fought on pluckilv and cleverly round after round to the end. Smith scored well from the start, and in the early stages had compiled a fair margin of points in his favour. O’Farrell boxed better after the third round, and scored with several body blows and occasional lefts to the face He certainly made a good number of feints; but Smith was not idle, and maintained a load to the end. His margin at the finish was not great, but quite sufficient to entitle him to the judges’ decision, which, however, went to O’Farreii. It was an error on the paid of one of the judges, and the referee was called upon to give his vote consequent upon a disagreement between the judges. Had a draw been given it might have found more favour, eo close were the contestants." •'However, there is no such de'is’on now, and according to instructions issued to referees by the New Zealand Boxing Council one man must be slightly better than his opponent, and this is for the referee to decide. How Mr Melville arrived at his decison in the case under review would be interesting to know.

The Boreham-Withc.y contest, which was decided on the second night, was as fine an exhibition as one could wish to see. It was fast and clean throughout, both- men doing good work, Wit hey being better after the commencement of the third round. At no time during the bout had either competitor very much in his favour. The first two rounds were Boroham’s. tho third even, the fourth Withev’e by a very email margin indeed, and tno two remaining rounds also went to the same man, but in no case had ho a runaway victory. Boreham boxed better than ho has for a long time. lie kept cool, and judged his blows well. He lacked condition, and in this connection Withey had a decided advantage. Boreham has only to continue on tire lines that ho boxed on Wednesday night and he will win many contests in tho future. The bout between Goodman and Armstrong was a good one, but the former could not give so much weight away and win.

The other six-round contests were not very good, and very little need to said of them. Edwards did not box with judgment when up against Woods, of Invercargill. Instead of endeavouring to reach has opponent’s face he should have hammered away at his body, which would have proved more effective. His only chance would have been to have given Woods no peace, but kept, in and at him. J. Munro’s bout with Chettlcburgh was not interesting, and loth men are now probably wiser as to some of the rules governing the sport. Th-ev are good sports, and would not infringe the rules intentionally.

The Smith-Cooper engagement was a poor affair, and neither of them showed much form. Cooper has been seen to much better advantage in the past, and ho appears to have gone off. The most unsatisfactory Ixr at at, the tournament was that between P. Torrio and A. Lane. The latter wont to the boards in the second round to ho counted out. There is something of a mystery about this, and it is suggested by those in a position to sec what took place that the blow which was snpppoftod to have been rcsixonsble for Lane’s downfall would not have hurt a child. If it can be ascertained that all was not fair and above board the association should deal with the competitor responsible, or both for that matter, in a manner that will prevent a recurrence of anything of a like character.

DENNY MURPHY v. HOCK KEYS. WELLINGTON, August 27 In a lightweight professional contest at the Town Hall to-night. Denny Murphy heat Hock Ko3’s on points, after 15 rounds. SAM LANGFORD v. JACK JOHNSON. NEW YORK, August 30. _ Sarn Langford will meet Jack Johnson in Paris on December 30 in a 20-round contest at the Cirque de Paris. NOVICE AND SIX-ROUND CONTESTS. The Otago Boxing Association brought its novice and six-round tournament to a conclusion in His Majesty's Theatre on the 26th ult. There was a good attendance of the public, and some very interesting boxing was witnessed, which was greatly appreciated. The tournament was well conducted, a>nd reflected great credit upon the officials. Following are tlie results:—BANTAMS. J. Lane (8.2) boat J. Leckie (8.3). H. Williams boat A. Melville (8.3). MIDDLE-WEIGHT (FINAL), Moore (11.1) boat Smith (11.3). LIGHT-WEIGHT (FINAL). J. North (9.7) beat I). Wylie (9.7). FEATHER-WEIGHTS. J. M'Auliffe (8.13) beat J. Borcham (3.13). J. M'Auliffe beat D. M'Gregor. WELTER-WEIGHT (FINAL). J. Pearson (10.9) beat P. Torrie (10.8). Pearson won this bout on a foul, through Torrie butting him low. HEAVY-WEIGHTS. R. Tyson (12.7) beat .i. Black (11.7). Tyson beat G. W ikons. SIX-ROUND BOLTS. G. Armstrong beat A. Goodman. H. Withey beat D. Boreliarn. P. Torrie beat A. Lane. A. Woods beat G. Edwards.