BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3138, 6 May 1914, Page 58

BOXING.

BY STRAIGHT LEFT.

Milburn Saylor appears to be carrying ail before him in Sydney and Melbourne just now. He has defeated all the lightweights offering, and, in addition, has beaten Tom McCormick, the conqueror of the English welter-weight Johnnie Summers, and on Saturday evening ho accounted for Nat Villiams by sending him to the mat for the full count in the seventh of a scheduled 20round bout. Saylor has intimated his willingness to accommodate all and sundry in the arena irrespective of weight. He has stated that he will not oven bar Dave Smith or Lang. It is scarcely possible that this young American light-weight can be in earnest so far as the last-mentioned boxers are concerned. It would appear, from the report of the last contest between Dave Smith and Eddie M'Goorty. that the New Zealander simply made a ’“hack” of the American for eight rounds, and then ho faded out through lack of condition. This naturally gave M'Gocrfcy a chance to use his destructive left to advantage, and the New Zealander was so far through that he was unable to put up his hands to stave off the blows of his opponent. It has been stated over and oyer again that Smith is not to be seen at his best when attempting to do the middleweight limit, and this last encounter should at least convince him that ho is unwise to attempt to get down to this class. At catch weights he would probably boat any white boxer in Australia. The manner in which Smith boxed for eight rounds against M'Goorty was a revelation, and -c is no wonder that the spectators yelled witn excitement as the New Zealander drove his opponent to the ropes time after time. Smith has offered to meet the American at catch weights for a fairly solid sum, but it .s doubtful if the latter will accept. The Canterbury boxing season was opened on Saturday night at Christchurch _ with a tournament for novices and two six-round contests. S. Manson and S. Upton, light heavv-woights, were the first pair to go six rounds. Upton was suffering from influenza., and was consequently not at his best. He opened well, and had a little the bettor of the first two rounds, but thereafter he tired Manson, who had the longer reach, scored with long-range shots and swings, but Upton was the better in-fightcr. In the fifth round three straight lefts in succession had Manson thinking; but his opponent was done, and was unable to follow up advantage. The final round was slightly in Maneon s favour, and ho got the decision. The other six-round contest was between W. Ireland (Waipawa) and N. Vernall {Christenurch), both being feather-weights. This is reported to have boon a splendid contest throughout, Ireland opened strongly and did practically all the leading; but he found Vernall’s defence very sound, and very few of his blows reached their mark. The second round was exceedingly fast from geng to gong, both lads making it as willing as they could. Vernall depended chiefly on his left, while Ireland used both hands well. The pace continued very hot till the latter half of the final round, when both contestants we re done Vernall showed more science throughout. He is a fine type of boxer, while, on the other hand, Ireland is a pure fighter, and depends on h : s strength and stamina to carry him through. Vernall gained a popular decision, and both laris were loudly applauded as they loft the ring. It was undoubtedly one of the best exhibitions of boxing seen in Christchurch for a long time past. The other events deckled were : —Novice, fist 41b class —L. Grant, fist 41b, heat W. M'Aliece, fist 0|lb; J. Thompson. Bst 101 b, w.o. _ Final, U. Grant beat Thompson. Novice, ICst 41b class—J. Ralnh, Hist 41b. beat C. W. Henderson, fist 131 b; E. Penwill, fist 13(lb. boat P, King, lOst 3?lb. Final, Ralph beat Penwill. BARTLETT OUTPOINTS FITZSIMMONS. TIMARU, April 29. In the boxing for the Heavy-weight Championship of Canterbury. AV. Bartlett (Christchurch) defeated Sid Fitzsimmons (T'maru) on points in 15 two-minute rounds. Bartlett vras in better form than his opponent and was quicker. “SNOWY” BAKER MANAGING DIRECTOR. SYDNEY, April 28. The Stadiums, Limited, has been registered as a company. It will control boxino- in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Mr R. L. Baker (“Snowy”) will bo managing director. WELLS BEATS RICE. LONDON, April 30. “Bombardier” Wells beat “Gunner” Rice on points in a 20-rounds contest at Liverpool.