QUEENSLAND CHAMPION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19374, 12 July 1937, Page 13

QUEENSLAND CHAMPION

JERRY LEONARD ARRIVES TO FIGHT IN GISBORNE HILLY MARTIN’S OPPONENT Red-headed and husky-looking, Jerry Leonard, welterweight professional boxing champion of Queensland. made a stir among the followers of boxing in Gisborne when he stepped into the ring at Johnny Summers’ gymnasium last night and gave a short exhibition of shadow-spar-

ring. Leonard is in New Zealand under contract to the Gisborne Boxing Association for a series of matches, and will make his first appearance, under this contract, against Billy Martin at the end of the month. Martin fought McMahon at Gisborne last month, and received the decision after one of the finest battles ever seen in the Gisborne ring.

The Queenslander is rather above the average in height, and has a substantial reach, Iris frame being spare but well-knit, and the size of his bone indicating that he will fill out a good deal as his career proceeds. He strips at about 10.5 at present, and will be close to Martin’s ring weight when lie meets tire New South Welshman on July 31.

Impressive Record

This is the first time Leonard has visited New Zealand, and he is looking forward to the experiences of the next three months with a good deal of pleasure. He lias done most of his fighting in Queensland up to date, and has not met any of the Australians now well known in the Dominion, including Bill Pluto and Billy Martin. He has, however, beaten Herb Bishop and Jimmy Purcell, two of the best men of their weight in Australia, and has an impressive record of knock-out victories, as well as some good wins on points. ITis record includes the following successes: —

Bill Stanley, k.o„ five rounds. Billy Mayall, k. 0., two rounds. ■ Ted Moroney, k. 0., seven rounds. Billy Lees, points, 15 rounds. Syd. Powell (middleweight), draw, 15 rounds.

Tom West, k. 0., three rounds. Spike Simpkins, k. 0., seven rounds. Jimmy Purcell (N.S.W. champion at the time), points, 15 rounds. Wally Hancock, draw, 15 rounds. Herb. Bishop, Sydney, points, 15 rounds.

These are the outstanding matches among Leonard’s recent engagements, and he expects to add substantially to the record during his stay in New Zealand. He has a brother, Mickey Leonard, in the lightweight class, who intended to visit the Dominion in his company, but stayed in Australia to take up two matches offered him there. He will visit New Zealand later, probably before Jerry Leonard s contract expires, and may be seen in the Gisborne ring if suitable opponents can be found.