BOXING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18253, 23 November 1933, Page 3

BOXING

FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE TO MORROW’S PRO. BOUT EXCELLENT I’K’KLJMINAKIES For tlie first 'professional title contest staged by the Gisborne Boxing Association for several years, the Opera House should lie packed to-mor-ow night, when Percy Hawes and Joe Franklin meet for the third time as professionals. Hawes is the f eat her.veiglit. champion of the Dominion, and it, will he conceded that he is tougher than the usual run of champions who have succeeded to their titles shortly 'after leaving tho amateur ranks- He has fought Franklin to a points win each time they have met, and it is significant of the impression both Hawes and Franklin created in their past, fights that their services are in demand by a number of boxing authorities throughout the Dominion. There was an interesting gathering yesterday afternoon when Hawes had his last solid work-out for the championship fight. He boxed six rounds with his brother, who accompanied him on his visit to Gisborne, and later took on Billy McKay for two fast rounds. He -showed-remarkable speed and anticipation, and impressed Gisborne Boxing Association officials with his footwork, which always seemed to be a shade better than his opponents’. He has a hard punch, and does not mind punishment, and those who saw him going yesterday were convinced that Franklin is a better boxer than he has been given credit for being, in view of the fact that lie lias run Ilawcs so close in their past matches. Tho order of the preliminary bouts for to-morrow night has been fixed as follows : F. McKenzie v. E. O’Donoghue, 4 rounds; F. McAneny v. J. Wilkins, 4 rounds; W. Withey (Wellington) v. S. Matchett (Poverty Bay), 4 rounds; 11. Stirling (Christchurch) v. F. Allen (Poverty Bay), 6 rounds. A reserve bout has been arranged between L. Robinson and E. Malone, in case any of the boxers named above fail to enter tho ring. The amateur and ’ professional bouts will be refereed by Mr. F. Dominey, with Messrs. J. Heeney and J. Allen as judges. Other officials for the tournament will be as usual, and the experience gained in tho past by the executive members of the association should be a guarantee of satisfaction to the public in tho conduct of the fixture.