BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 21431, 27 June 1931, Page 15

BOXING

FIXTURES.

(By “Self-defence.”) June 29.—Jack O’Malley V. George Cook, at Auckland. July 1. —Tournament at Invercargill. July 2.—Tommy Fairhall v. Fred Parker, at Timaru. Dafe to be Fixed.—Cyril Hurne v. Knuckey, at Hastings. August 5, 6 and 7. —New Zealand Amateur Championships, at Ashburton. Advice has been received that the Gore Boxing Association intend staging a tournament early in July. MONDAY’S TOI'BNEY A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT. The tourney conducted by the local association on Monday night, was a pronounced Sucre's, and it is stated that a small profit will be shown in the balancesheet. This is good news. The arrangements worked emoothly, although a late start rather upset the onlookers. It is well past the time when boys should be taken to task over these late starts. It is not fair to anybody and trainers would only be doing their duty by seeing that boys are ready to go into the ring up to time.

The fare provided reached a high standard except in one case', which provided a real riot of laughs and put the crowd in great humour. They simply howled at the unties of Dwnpsey and Stewart, and a return would prove a wonderful tonic in these times when so many have the “blues.” It is the intention of the association to stage another tourney on July 1, the night of the Otago v. Southland football match. A few entries from Dunedin would be especially welcome.

Mr A. Tall refereed the bouts in his usual capable manner, and no fault could Be found with his work. If he has to count as many times as he did in the Dempsey-Stewart bout very often, he will need to go Into training. The tourney concluded in good time and there was a minimum of delay between the bouts; and this was as it should be. C. Galt v. G. Spencer.—This was a really good bout. The tjyeteran mentor, W. Fewster, of Bluff, was in Spencer’s corner, and his return is very welcome. Spencer early made the pace, and used his advantage in weight to some purpose, but Galt refused to be bustled and fought in cool fashion. Spencer concentrated on the body with his right and was Using his feet well, but he was making the pace too hot to last. Galt was scoring well in open work and that there was weight ' behind his blows soon became evident. He used both hands judiciously and in the third round was master of the situation. Spencer was cleverly ducking a good many of Gait’s leads, but still was punished. Spencer was smart, but Galt was faster, both in punching and footwork. Spencer took a lot of' punishment, but fought on in the gamest manner and Galt did not escape scathless. It was a fast match for men of their weight, and was a fine exhibition. Galt was a good winner. Spencer took too much out of himself in the early rounds. A. Sutherland v. J. Branks.—Sutherland, a boy who promises to go a long way, was too good for Branks. He used both hands nicely while back-moving well when necessary. He had a great left hand and when he learns to punch straight with his right, he is going to be a tough nut for the best of them. He throws his right angularly as yet, but experience will correct this. He varied his attack Well and was not afraid to mix it. His left-right attack Was too good for Branks to cope with. He is as yet inclined to be open down below, but his defence showed improvement on his last effort. Branks favoured a body attack, but was never going like a winner and he found it difficult to get in close. He certainly had no chance at long range. Branks, however, is game, and he took a good deal of punishment without flinching. He stands too flat on his feet, but is nimble. W. Jack v. H. McFarlane—Another classy bout, probably the best of the evening. Jack did not look to be in tip-top condition, but soon dispelled this. They swapped lefts early, but there was not much action. Jack scored nicely with a right to the head, McFarlane getting even with rights to the body. The third_ round had, not gone far before McFarlane got in a weighty right to the head and Jack stayed down for nine. This seemed to wake Jack up, and he tore in with both hands going. Both were rather open for body blows, in fact this was noticed in practically every bout of the night and trainers would do well to- see to it. Jack was all over McFarlane and had him in trouble when McFarlane threw Jack and was cautioned by the referee. Jack kept at it, and with lights to the head he had McFarlane in a bad way, but the latter fought back, his blows however having little sting. Right-left-right, Jack hammered away, but could not knock-out McFarlane, who took a great hiding in the gamest possible fashion. He is very tough. Jack was an easy winner. It looked like being quiet until Jack went down, but from then on there was plenty doing —and Jack did most of it. It is some time since he was seen in a ring, but he has lost none of his skill. McFarlane received a deserved ovation for the manner in which he took a hiding. Another meeting between this pair will be an attraction. J. Dempsey v. D. Stewart.—This was the hit (?) of the night. Stewart was giving away a stone in weight and this combined with the name of his rival, was too much of a handicap. They started off with Dempsey sending the crowd into convulsions with his stance and manner, and he was immediately christened “The Duck.” Several swings found Stewart’s face and the claret almost made him unrecognisable. In between times, Stewart reclined on the floor, sitting there spitting blood for a count of nine, only to get up to run into another hug, a slight wrestle, then a smack, then another squat on the floor. It was a real riot, and just when the crowd felt it could laugh no more, the referee called it off. He probably became tired counting. Just the same, Dempsey is in the right hands and as he proved later that he is game and can take a hiding smiling, he may upset some more fancied opponent in the days to come. Stewart is very raw and as yet has little idea of the game. J. Kelly V. W. Campbell.—Kelly had far too much experience for Campbell whom he had no difficulty in outpointing. Campbell, like many another boy, was unable to stop Kelly’s left. He ducked cleverly to escape a lot of punishment, but Kelly was always going easily and there was no doubt about the winner. Campbell looked in need of a few workouts, but has some difficulty in getting companions. Cannot a few more of Otautau’s young men take up the noble art ?

M. Burke v. J. Kelly (Ohai). —Burke opened up by using both hands nicely and putting some weight into them. He was also smart on his feet and too clever for Kelly. The latter should know by this time that it is useless trying to box Burke at long range; he has no chance. When Kelly did go in and concentrate on the body he did well, but he did not go on with it. Burke’s punching was far cleaner and there was little doubt as to the winner. Kelly has disappointed of late and has not made the progress expected. R. Bagrie v. F. Prendergast.—This was a really fine exhibition and Bagrie deservedly took the honours. He was much fitter than on his last appearance and employed different tactics. His straight left won him the bout, although the margin would not be a very wide one. Bagrie was aggressive early with rights to the body, Prendergast replying with his favourite left hook, but the champion, profiting by the previous bout, kept a wary eye on this blow and practically rendered it ineffective. He used his feet nicely. Bagrie’s left, poked out straight, frequently found a resting-place on Prendergast’s throat and he made little attempt to stop it, being apparently intent on getting his left home on Bagrie’s body. He continued in this manner and it. was bad tactics. However his right hand was not idle, getting home well on Bagrie’s head. The latter certainly did feel them too. but he showed good ringcraft. Up to round four Prendergast was fighting spasmodically and with rights to the solar and lefts to the head, Bagrie was piling up points. In round five Prendergast had a good innings at long range, scoring mostly with his left. Bagrie, however, was still getting that straight left home. The last round was easily Prendergast’s, but he made his run too late. He got home several lefts to the head and after an exchange of rights to the body, got home both hands to the head. Bagrie deserved the decision by reason of his cleaner hitting. He used both hands well. He is the type one admires, he will take a crack to get in and favours this style of fighting. Prendergast is a good boy and should' not be disheartened. He has a beautiful left but must not rely wholly on it to' win bouts for him. There is nothing wrong with his right hand either, and he should have used it more often. He, however, had rather many advisers.. It is not fair for others to chip in when his second is giving him instructions and they should keep away. A boy only gets confused. Most likely this pair will meet in the championships and few of those present on Monday will be absent on that occasion. Opinions on the merits of the two are divided, but Bagrie is now one up out of three.

A. Sutherland V. J. Dempsey.—Sutherland was far too experienced for Dempsey and gave him a good lesson. Dempsey, however, has the heart of a lion and is very keen. When W. Taylor works the crudeness off him he will not be the joke that many think he is at present. He can hit hard and does not throw his punches badly either.