BOXING NOTES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13640, 26 August 1937, Page 5

BOXING NOTES.

By “Straight Left.”

That interest in the fight is widespread is evidenced li\ lire- fact that this morning Harold Reeve rang the I President of the local association (Mr A. P. Jensen) and booked 23 ringside seats for Feilding enthusiasts. According to reports Feilding has adopted Harold as its own and takes an almost .paternal interest in bis welfare They are confident of his success on Friday, some of the more ardent fans prophesying a victory via the knock-out route. Any supporters of Pluto will have little difficulty in getting their money on. Pluto-, oi course will lie in great nick for his filial flutter before leaving for Australia. He has a long and impressive record, not only of his own, but also of his family's to uphold. Brother C yril is one of the best welters in Australia and Pluto senior had a great name as a mitt-wielder way back in the “naughty nineties.’’ I came* across this paragraph in “The Sydney Bulletin” the other day !n a story of Griffo’s life. G.riffo was easily one of the best feathers that ever donned a glove, and had he paid any attention to> training it is extremely doubtful if he- would ever have suffered, a However lie preferred to follow in the path of John, L. Sullivan and did most of his training in hotel bars. This what the Bulletin says about him and Pluto: “His (Griffo’s) toughest opponent in those early days was Pluto, a mercurial little African who bad been taken up by a Melbourne sporting man. Pluto was fast and clever and had so much confide ne e in himself that he talked of challenging Peter Jackson who was at least five stone heavier. Pluto and Griffo fought two draws in one year and the year following they fought three more no-decision bouts. One* went 23 rounds, tb-e next 13, and. the final battle lasted 70 rounds. The 70 rounder took place in Melbourne and till© parties to it, were prosecuted for breach of peace. On appeal ihe case went to Judge Hamilton who ruled that it was no breach of pcnn . ‘lt has been shown,’ said h s Honour dryly, ‘that these champion lightweights boxed for four and one-!-alf hours, but it has not been shown

that they hurt one another so neither party was guilty of an act of assault’.” Long afterwards Pluto became a peaceful cluck farmer n Western Australia, where his two sons, the welterweights Cyril and Bill, were born. With such an impressive background of boxing behind him there is no reason for wonder that Bill Pluto has proved so popular in New Zealand. A great fight on Friday night is assured. Tho am,ateurs from tlie .surrounding districts will be there in force and the fights will rank among tin best ever put on by an association always noted for the* high quality of its tourneys. The first fight will begin at 8.30 p-m. and those who have not yet reserved at Badger’s are aelvised to do so as soon a.s possible a.s the demand for seats is particularly brisk. A big bouse is certain. The ring will be* erected this evening and members of the executive are a.sked to be in attendance at the Drill Hall at about 7.30 o’clock. Reeve would appear to be the popular pick, Mr L. Poupard will he the arbiter of the contest. Hostilities will commence with a. midget battle at 8.30 o’clock, and the big fight will he staged about an hour later.