BOXING

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 53

BOXING

By Cross-Counter. Until the injury to his hand has mended Johnny Leckie is not likely to formulate his plans for the future, but it is certain that his enforced rest will be a fairly lengthy one. The original offer made by Stadiums, Ltd., in an endeavour to get Leckie over to Australia did not make a big appeal to him, but it is understood that a further and much more attractive offer was recently made to him, probable opponents mentioned being Billy Grime, Fidel la Barba, and Willie Smith (South African feather-weight champion). Broadfoot, the Auckland middle-weight, who recently got a draw with Pocock in Christchurch —he was a little lucky to get it —is matched to meet Harry Casey at Palmerston North on Boxing Night, for the middle-weight championship, which is held by Casey. Efforts are being made to bring Mickey Walker and Tom Loughran together for the light-heavy-weight championship of the world, which is at present held by Loughran, who is seeking a chance at the heavy-weight crown. When he met Jack Gross recently Loughran weighed 13.3 Bert Brown, the New Zealander, is making quite a big name for himself Vancouver way, where he is evidently being trained by Ben Tracey. At any rate, the latter was behind him when he recently fought one Billy Townsend. The latter got the decision, which, according to paper reports, was not a sound summation. Gene Tunney, in his tour of France, arrived at a place called Juan Les Pins and whilst driving his 40 horse-power car at 60 miles per hour he ran into another automobile, doing great damage to his own as well as the other fellow's vehicle, but, fortunately, no one was injured. A large crowd gathered, and though the exchampion is credited with not liking limelight, he lost no time in letting all and sundry know’ w r ho he was, and paying up the amount demanded by the other motorist.

Just as most Americans were expressing the opinion that Jack Thompson, tin youthful negro, who defeated welter chain pion Joe Dundee, by a knockout in the second round, was another Joe Gans, the coloured boy was soundly laced bj’ Jackie Fields. The latter, therefore, must be even an improvement on the great old master —Gans—according to Thompson’s rating before the battle. The latest heavy-weight find is Senor Primo Carnero, called the Mastodon < Madrid. He is 6 feet 10 inches and has knocked all opposition in a round or two. His 4’661, even for one so massive, are extremely large, and when Gene Tunney was introduced to him in France, the exchampion remarked that no man was ever born who could knock him off such feet. They will have to hit him first, and that will take some doing to one so lofty. Some American sporting writers contend that Gene Tunney was not a popular champion, because he lacked a killing punch, and they contend that the next champion will have to w_n quickly or he, whoever he is, will not be popular either. The light-heavy-weight champion of the world, Tommy Loughran, who is to fight in the elimination tournaments to find the heavy-weight champion, has been offered 25,000 dollars from a Buenos Aires promoter to fight Luis Firpo. If Loughran accepts he will be conceding nearly 1001 b in weight. Three old veterans of the ring. Jack Britton, Mike M'Tigue, and Battling Levinsky, are still fighting well in the States, and although not in the front rank, are winning quite a number of decisions and collecting a deal of money. They are skilful enough to outclass the younger men who are far inferior as boxers. Britton is 43 years of age. Frank Taylor has been provided with a great opportunity by the Wellington Boxing Association by being substituted for Johnny Leckie. If the Aucklander can hold his own with Billy M'Alister, the bantam-weight champion of Australia, he will be able to take his place in the ring with any man of his weight in Australia or New Zealand. With the engagement of Fidel La Barba by Stadiums, Ltd., bantams will be in the boom, and there should be good money in the Commonwealth for any boy of class in that division. Taylor ran Teddy Green very close at Napier, and the contest should have been valuable experience for him, as Green is considered across the Tasman to be a first-rate performer. Fidel La Barba, former flyweight champion of the world, who retired from the ring to enter college, is doing well in his “ come-back.” He picked up some easy ' money by engaging some of the leading bantams in battles on the Pacific Coast. . His defeat of Bushy Graham, recognised as the bantam champion by the National Boxing Associations, speaks highly of La Barba’s prowess. Should La Barba decide to continue to engage in ring contests, if his present form is a criterion, he should clean up the division and do what Johnny Buff accomplished, carry off the bantam title after having held the flyweight championship. Although Sid Terris recently was declared the winner on a foul over Phil M‘Gaw, he clearly demonstrated that as a fighter and a drawing card his days are over (states an American writer). Here is a young man in the full glow of youth, at an age that should find him at his best, yet virtually shot to pieces and all through negligence. Coming along at a whirlwind pace only three years ago, and credited by experts as one of the greatest boxers of modern tinies, Terris unfortunately retired for almost a year while settling his managerial dispute, and during that period of idleness he lost his greatest asset —his fighting eye. Paul Prehn, head of the Illinois State Athletic Commission, has been elected unanimously to the presidency of the National Boxing Association. His name alone was placed in nomination. The delegates of 26 States and several foreign countries, meeting in their annual convention, chose S. Isaacs of the Ohio delegation vice-president; B. Allen, of Kansas, second A. C. Foster, of Providence, R. 1., third vice-presi-dent; and J. C. Taylor, of North Carolina, fourth vice-president. The delegates refused to accept the resignation of

Secretary Cogswell, of Baltimore, Md. Chicago was selected for the next convention site. The date suggested was the third Monday in September, 1929. An American paper states that the New Zealand feather-weight, Bert Brown, who has met with great success in Canada and America, will shortly be taking a trip home. Brown has been beaten by Bobby Garcia and Vic Foley, and is not amongst the top-notchers. It is Brown’s intention to return to America for the next spring. If a New Zealand association could induce him to meet Leckie it would not be able to get a house big enough to hold the crowd. Tom Heeney has slumped in the eyes of the American critics (according to Eddie Borden, of the King, one of the foremost sporting papers in America). Borden publishes a ranking ust each month of all weights, and in his latest announcement Heeney is given eighth place amongst the heavies. He is even placed below Phil Scott, the Englishman who did . not impress the American writers. The complete list is:—Heavyweights: Young Stribling, Johnny Kisko, George Godfrey, Jack Sharkey, Paulino Uzcudun, Knute Hanson, Phil Scott, Tom Heeney, Otto von Porat, Roberto Roberti.

FAIRHALL OUTPOINTS TROWERN. WELLINGTON, November 26. In a 15-round professional boxing contest to-night before a crowded house at the Town Hall, the Australian, Tommy Fairhall, outpointed Reg. Trowern, of Auckland. The New Zealander dominated the fight til] the seventh round, when Fairhall pul Trowern down for nine On rising he was again floored with a right to the head, and took the count to eight. A third time the New Zealander hit the canvas, but the gong stopped the count at four. The eleventh round was a repetion of the eighth, Trowern being sent down three times. This round took a lot of steam out of the New Zealander, and enabled the Australian to secure the verdict by a narrow margin. M'ALLISTER v. GRIFFITHS. PALMERSTON N„ November 29. The Manawatu Boxing Association lias matched M'Allister, bantam-weight of Australia, and Tommy Griffiths, of Dunedin, for Boxing night. It will be a 15-round bout for a purse of £l5O. PARKER BEATS M'DONALD. SYDNEY, November 27. At the Lciehardt Stadium to-night the New Zealander, Vince Parker, beat Al M’Donald on points in a very good fight.

BOUT AT SYDNEY STADIUM. SYDNEY, November 28. At the Stadium to-night the Irish giant, Pat Redmond, 16st. knocked out Wally Walker, 12st 21b. in the seventh round, after a remarkable mill, in which there was heavy punching and many exciting rallies. PURDY BEATS CARROLL. SYDNEY, December 2. At the Stadium, Purdy (9.13) won from Jack Carroll (10.13) on a foul in the eleventh round, after a fierce encounter. No title was involved. BANTAM-WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. LONDON, November 27. In a bout for the bantam-weight championship, Kid Pattendon, the holder, knocked out Young Johnny Brown in the twelfth round.