BOXING

Otago Witness, Issue 3833, 30 August 1927, Page 53

BOXING

By

CROSS-COUNTER.

JOHNNY LECKIE MAKES GOOD

Johnny Leckie, the youthful Dunedin feather-weight, is to be congratulated on his sterling performances since he joined the ranks of the professionals a few months ago. So far he has taken part in three professional contests, and- in not one case has the fight gone the full distance, while to-day he has the distinction of being the feather-weight champion of New Zealand. His first encounter was with Harry* Gunn (Timaru), who was knocked out in the eighth round, and his second victim was Mark Carroll (Wanganui), who was so badly punished in the eleventh round that the referee stopped the light. The title automatically passed to Leckie at Auckland last week owing to the holder (Duke Aladdox) failing by 21b to make the weight, and when the pair tried conclusions the Dunedin boy asserted his superiority in a most convincing manner by knocking his opponent down three times in the second round, with the result that the latter s seconds intervened. The contest between Johnny* Le .tie and Darby O’Connor has been definitely fixed for September 12 at His Majesty's Theatre. NOTES. An amateur tournament for he local boys, extending over two nights, will be held about the end of September. A message has been received by the Te Arolia Association stating that Reg Trowern will not be able to meet Nelson M'Knight as was hoped, owing to illness. Trowern had to call off several fights in Australia through sickness. ft has been decided to hold the 1928 New Zealand championships in Auckland. In future no boxing association will Ire allowed to enter more than one competitor for any one event at the New Zealand amateur championships. A remit from the Southland Association, urging that strong representations be made to the House of Representatives to have the amusement tax on amateur boxing contests removed, has been referred to the New Zealand Boxing Council. The Te Arolia Association has decided to forward a remit to the New Zealand Boxing Council requesting that fuller information be supplied to country chibs in connection with the qualifications of professionals.

The Auckland middle-weight. Jim Broadfoot, has signed articles to meet Nelson Al'Knight at Frankton Junction on Monday. August 29. The bout will be of 10 rounds, and a purse of £lOO will be in dispute. In a letter to a member of the staff of the New Zealand Referee Los Murray states that his trip to Europe has benefited him to such an extent that since his return to the United States he has started in or light training, but is still uncertain whether his shoulder will stand the strain of actual lighting. Murray’s shoulder was injured in his fight with Pretolle to such an extent that ho was practically forced to the conclusion that his fighting days were over, but at lime of writing ho was able to work out in the gymnasium, his objective being a return to the game and another light or two in the States before returning home.

HEAVY-AVEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. NEAV YORK, August 25.

Dempsey and Tunney to-day began active training for the fight on September 22, the former at a camp near the scene of the bout, and the latter in a little village near here. Tunney plans to take up training quarters in the vicinity of Chicago on September 2. Dempsey to-day boxed with three partners for a round each, following up with work on pulleys and floor exercises. The ex-champion fought viciously, but was a wide-open target for straight left-hand jabs, of which his opponents took no advantage. Tunney boxed six rounds with two partners, doing effective work with his left on the bag. He appears to be in perfect condition. GRIFFITHS BEATS O'CONNOR. AVELLINGTON. August 24. Tom Griffiths (Dunedin) to-night, before a crowded house, defeated Darby O'Connor (Sydney) on points in a featherweight professional boxing contest of 15 rounds. O'Connor put Griffiths down for eight seconds in the fourth round and lifted him off his feet and down in the thirteenth round, and again knocked him down for nine seconds in the thirteenth round. Griffiths lasted the better of the two, making up points in the last two rounds. The decision was the correct one.