BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 20496, 26 May 1928, Page 19 (Supplement)

BOXING

(by Self-Defence.) FIXTURES June 4.—Harry Casey v Nelson M’Knight, at Palmerston North (middle-weight title). June B.—Hector Leckie v. Tommy Griffiths, at Invercargill. . Dates to be arranged.—Tommy Barber k (Australia) v. opponent to be selected, at , Dunedin; Tommy Barber (Australia) v. [ Johnny Leckie, at Dunedin. j Further postponed. i Local amateurs tourney. [ This was a wise move for Bluff had everything their way and the clash of dates may not have been too good for the local association. The tournament will not now be held until after the professional contest on June . B—probably within a fortnight of it. i Ernie Izzard, the English lightweight ■ boxer who beat New Zealander Charlie • Purdy on points in Sydney recently, fought i a drawn bout with Purdy in January. An American writer on suggestions that : Tom Heeney has no chance of beating Gene 5 Tunney:—“Of course, Heeney hasn’t a ; chance of beating Tunney. And Tunney • had no chance of beating Dempsey. And > Corbett had no chance of beating John L. • Sullivan. The best way to go into a fight f is without a chance.” j Battling Levinsky, once holder of the I light heavy-weight championship, is again - figuring in the ring as a contestant, though I it was reported several years ago that he i was permanently retired through ill-health, i He recently gained a decision in New York. 5 It was his first contest in the big city since > 1922. i Another member of the Heeney family t has found it impossible to resist the call to New York to witness Tom’s coming fight . with Gene Tunney for the world’s chamr pionship. His eldest brother, Jack, has 1 now completed arrangements to accompany s Arthur and Pat. The trio have booked ’ passages and leave New Zealand on- June r 5. It is interesting to reveal that Jack, > who was successively welter-weight and 1 heavy-weight champion of New Zealand, . had much to do with Tom’s early training, i frequently acting as hie sparring partner and » second. ? American boxing writers and boxing fans - are watching with the keenest interest the progress of two light-weights. One is Jim-

my M’Larnin, who has done most of his boxing in California, but who created a sensation in New York on February 21, when he knocked out the classy Sid Terris in the first round. The other is Bruce Flowers a negro, who gave the hard-hitting and formidable Billy Petrolle, a bad thumping at New York on March 16. M’Larnin has been matched against Mandell for the championship. Mandell won the bout. Sydney administrators are still ready to place Johnny Leckie in the N.S.W. capital. With the American importations now on the water, there should be useful material offering to stack against the New Zealand champion. If Mr Lean’s American selections are up to scratch, Leckie would be afforded ample opportunity of testing the Yankee standard. Before the Delaney-Heeney fight some amusing stuff appeared in the American papers. The New York World sporting writer said. “No good little man ever whipped a good big man. I don’t think Delaney is going to knock out Heeney. It is one thing to ping a bloke right on the button and another to hear him remark about the pesky gnats that abound. When they hit Tom on the chin it reminds me of a cop calling for aid by belting the kerbstone with his stick.” At last week’s meeting of the Council of the New’ Zealand Boxing Association, a cabled message was received from the Queensland Boxing Association stating that it desired to send a team to New Zealand, consisting of the winners of the 1928 championships. The council decided, however, that only a team representative of the whole of Australia would be acceptable. Should any Queensland boxers desire to visit New Zealand they would be welcome at the time of the New Zealand championships, which are to be held in Auckland on August 23, 24, and 25.

Thrown to the floor one minute after the start of the 15th round of their contest at the Sydney Stadium, Tommy Barber (8.10 A won on a foul from English featherweight Norman Radford (8.12). For 10 rounds Radford was by far the better scorer, his principal blow being a left to the body. Barber fought well when at close quarters, but often he backed away from the Englishman, instead of attacking. However, he altered his tactics in the 11th round, on the advice of his trainer, Pat O’Connor, and attacked vigorously. In the last half of the 12th round, the Australian knocked down the Englishman with a right to the chin. Rising at the count of nine seconds, Radford, in a dazed state, was punched severely about the body and head. Eight seconds before the end of the term. Radford was again punched to the floor. As the bell rang he rose and walked unsteadily to his corner, where he received* all possible attention from his seconds. The next round was fought at a terrific rate, and in a rally just before the bell, both boxers fell out of the ring, Barber being on top. Recovering, Radford improved in the next term, but in the final round he committed the foul for which he was disqualified. A hand at the Frickley colliery, Yorkshire, Radford, who was born at Moorthorpe, about 20 miles from Leeds, took to the fighting game early, and had about 40 victories in Liverpool, Manchester and London before he came to Australia in 1926. Here he beat 16 opponents. Defeated once by Pat Boyton, he however, accounted for the former amateur on two other occasions. Going to South Africa last June, he gave Ernie Eustace 91b in weight and fought a draw with him at Johannesburg. Subsequently he defeated Ralph and Minchell, and at Rhodesia he scored over Duplessie, a Dutch boxer. Later; at the Ring, London, he lost on a foul in the 13th round to Mick Hill.

The Northern Boxing Association are making an endeavour to match Johnny Leckie and Norman Radford for a contest in the Town Hall on June 4. An offer of

a substantial purse and expenses has been cabled to Radford, who is in Australia, by the secretary of the association (Mr J. Watts). So far no reply has been received. If Leckie and Radford can be brought together the local association should draw something very near a capacity house. Leckie has had a phenomenal run of successes, and capped _his record by beating Billy Melton (Australia) on a technical knock-out-while Radford is a very well performed English featherweight, who had an exceptionally successful season on his last visit to Australia.

It is the opinion of the writer Hooker of the Dunedin Star that ere long “Fighting” Johnny Leckie, feather-weight champion of New Zealand, will be packing his grip and making tracks for Sydney, but when I

broached the. subject to Johnny the champion shook his head and said that he did not intend visiting Australia for some months at least. Johnny is in permanent employment in Dunedin, and does not relish the idea of throwing up his job unless some definite offer is made to him regarding a visit to Australia. He has already been guaranteed six contests in Australia, but desires some monetary guarantee. Archie Leckie, his trainer, however, is very keen on taking the champion to Australia, and it would not surprise me if before long he prevails upon Johnny to try his luck across the Tasman.

There was an unprecedented scene at the Ilford Rink London on the night of May 3 in a heavyweight boxing competition. An Italian, Ruggereillo, who cannot speak English, was disqualified in the first round for having lightly hit Billy Cook, of Woolwich, who was rising from a fall. Ruggereillo was so incensed that he struck his manager, who was explaining the verdict, knocking him from the ring prone on the boards. Several spectators climbed into the ring, and calmed Ruggereillo after a few moments. The manager was not hurt. A meeting of boxing enthusiasts convened by Mr Macdonald Smith was held in the Canterbury Automobile Association’s rooms, recently. Those present ■■ included Mr G. P. Aldridge, secretary of the New Zealand Boxing Council and organizing secretary of the New Zealand Olympic Games Association. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the question of the revival of boxing contests, both amateur and professional, in Christchurch during the winter season. Those present spoke in optimistic strain of the presects, and a committee was subsequently set up to consider ways and means of making satisfactory arrangements for future contests. Mr R. H. Livingstone presided over an attendance of about thirty. The business was taken in committee.

Writing in the Christchurch Star,. “Ceetus” states that the defeat of Roberto Roberti, the huge Italian, by Phil Scott, was probably the greatest performance accomplished by the English champion. It certainly will cause promoters and Press writers to view him from a different angle to that held by them after his inglorious display against Knute Hansen last year. That was a great setback for Scott, but he made something of a recovery by his two subsequent performances before re-

turning to England. On his second visit to New York he opened with a decisive win over Charles, the Belgian heavyweight, a man whom Press writers regard as a very tough customer, and now having defeated Roberti, Scott should be in the way of getting amongst the big purses. The Italian was brought from Italy by his fellowcountryman, Humbert Fugazy, next to Tex Rickard the biggest promoter in New York, and in his previous nineteen contests he won thirteen by knockouts. That he was no given the opportunity to appear in Tex Rickard’s eliminating contest may have been due to his being under the wing of a rival promotor. Another heavy-weight who has been bowling over his opponents with regularity and in short order is Otto Van Porat, a Norwegian. It would not be surprising to learn that Sharkey was selected as Scott’s next opponent, and, if so, that the winner will be matched against the winner of the Heeney-Tunney contest. STILL GOING STRONG A STALWARD OF OTHER DAYS. A writer in the Sydney Evening News discovers that one of the best boxers, amateur or professional ever located in Invercargill is still on deck and interested in Rugby football, of which he was no mean exponent.— A Rugby Union stalward, at the Waratah v. The Rest match, pointed to many in the Suttor stand who had “repped” in other seasons. “The old game’s all right,” he said, “when it can attract the old ‘uns after all these years.” I noticed among former internationals “Jumbo” Fraser, gentle-looking in his middle age, one who could never be suspected on looks with having “bumped the best of his day.” Then there were Billy Galloway and Peter Ward the half-back and five-eighth, Captain of Australia, respectively, against the Englishmen captained by Mullineaux. Galloway came from N. Z., joined up with Randwicks, and was the outstanding half-back in memory until the advent of Chris McKivatt, Ted Mullett, who took the field for Pirates and Balmain, never got his rep. cap, but, as one put it, “played the game for 100 years.” Among the others I noticed Harold Judd, Tommy Griffin, Jimmy Clarken, and Billy Hill—what memories of wonderful games their presence revived! Players did not leave the field at half-time, in accordance with English custom, I was informed. The English team, led by Mullineaux remained in the middle of the field; that captained by Bedell-Seivwright retired to the boundary line, while Harding’s fifteen left the

H. LECKIE v. GRIFFITHS The professional bout, Hector Leckie v. Tommy Griffiths on June 8 is attracting quite a lot of interest. A good deal of censure has been passed on Griffiths in nothern centres for taking on this bout when he was wanted by the Otago Boxing Association to fight Tommy Barber in Dunedin, but Griffiths had informed the local Association that he would fight here and he has kept to his word—a manly principle. These critics say that the Otago Association made Griffiths and further that he thinks it will be easier money in Invercargill. I will admit that the Otago Association has done a lot for him, but why shouldn’t they? He is one of their own town boys and who else could be expected to take him up. And remember, when Tommy turned professional he was fighting very well i.nd looked like being a real topnotcher. He was a real drawcard and. the Otago Association knew it. So did everybody else. But lately we I have Johnny Leckie (his stablemate) show- ■ ing wonderful form and downing all comers. And then there are the boys from Australia. Surely any fair minded mail will admit that Tommy has done no wrong to the Otago Association when he refused to break his contract with Southland. And what about the easy money? We all know that Griffiths is a good boxer—indeniably clever, but it must be remembered that if anyone knows how to beat Griffiths it should be Hector Ijeckie. Hector is in the same school and his knowledge of Tommy’s methods will stand to him. He has an advantage that many who have faced the will o’ the wisp did not have in this respect, and he can be relied on to go all the way. Hector’s reI cord as a fighter is better than many people j think and a glance through it will prove | that he is “no mug”. As an amateur he had 50 fights for 43 wins, 6 losses and one I draw. In 1920 he won the bantam and i feather championships and was adjudged the most scientific boxer of Southland; bantam champion of Otago and runner up to Duke Maddox for the New Zealand bantam title. In 1921 he was featherweight champion of Otago and in 1922 w’as runner up to the featherweight champion of Wellington. Since turning professional he has had eight fights with the following results:— Won from Sycamore (twice) 15 rounds; won Bobby Cambell, 10 rounds; won Harry Gunn, 15 rounds; k.o. Alex Mussen, 7 rounds; k.o. Jimmy Carl, 3 rounds draw mark Carrol, 10 rounds; lost Tommy Griffiths, 10 rounds.

COMING BACK PROMINENT BOXER-TRAINER. CHARLIE PEOPLES COMING OVER FROM AUSTRALIA. Boxing fans will be interested to learn that Charlie Peoples, well known in this city—and in fact throughout the Dominion—as a boxer-manager and trainer of some ability, is returning to Auckland from Hobart in about a couple of month’s time, reports the Auckland Sun.

Charlie sailed from these shores a few years ago. While over here he trained and managed some of the cleverest boxers seen in New Zealand. He looked after Jim O’Sullivan, the ex-New Zealand heavyweight champion, when Jim put it over Tom Heeney in the Auckland Town Hall. Among others whom he managed and trained were Harry May, welter champion; Clarrie Blackburn, a boy with a big future; Fred Hansen, the ex-amateur welter champion of Australiasia; Laurie Cadman, wellknown heavy-weight; and Stewart Smith, ex-Victorian light-weight champion. Only a few years ago it was recognized in New Zealand that Charlie Peoples did more for the sport of boxing that all the associations rolled into one> while his jovial and pleasaing personality appealed to all those connected with the roped arena. On the other side Charlie settled down in Hob&rt, and started a gymnasium, which, conducted on excellent lines, is recognized as one of the most up-to-date in Tasmania. Besides catering for business men, Charlie takes a particular interest in boys, and has

a large number of them attending his gym. for boxing and general physical culture training. He is assisted in his work by the New Zealand feather-weight, Joe Boyle, who holds the best credentials from the president of St. Stanislau’s College, Bathhurst, the largest college in New South Wales. Charlie Peoples, who has always recognized as one of the finest judges of a boxer, is also running tournaments with a considerable amount of success in the Commonwealth. On coming to New Zealand where he will be welcomed by a host of his old friends,-Charlie intends to bring some promising young boxer with him, and arrange some matches on this side. AND YET AGAIN DEMPSEY SAYS HE HAS QUIT RING FOR ALL TIME. For the umpty-steenth time since his second defeat at the hands of Gene Tunney last September, Jack Dempsey declares he is absolutely, positively, through with the hempen square. “My days as a fighter are over,” said Jack recently at Los. Angeles, California. “There is nobody who knows this any better than I do. Beyond keeping in condition for my daily activities, I do not expect evw to don the padded gloves again.” According to the former heavy-weight champion, he gave the best that was in him in Chicago, but his best was not good enough to win for him. “In the great crowd that filled Soldiers’ Field were many who believed that I knocked Tunney out.” (Dempsey had reference to the seventh round, with its “long count”). “I do not know whether I can say I did or did not. At any rate, he was declared the winner, so that’s *that.” Dempsey has fallen hard for the horseracing game. He is part owner of a considerable stable of thoroughbreds, and gets a great “kick” out of seeing his colours come down in front.