BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 21773, 30 July 1932, Page 14

BOXING

(By “Veritas.”)

FIXTURES AHEAD.

August 12—Open and Novice Tourney at Gore. August 13: George Spencer (Greenhills) v. Jack Cossill (Palmerston North) at Invercargill. August 20.—Interprovincial amateur tourney (Otago v. Southland) at Invercargill. September 7. —Southland amateur championships, and professional contest for the N.Z. Middleweight championship between Les Adams and George McEwan at Invercargill. September (date to be fixed). —Otago amateur championships at Dunedin. September 19.—New Zealand amateur championships at New Plymouth. NOTES AND NEWS. As “Twist” Jaggers was unable to fulfil his engagement with George McEwan at Ohai, the “night” to have been staged in the coal-mining district on August 6 is postponed in the meantime. This means, of course, that the professional contest to have been staged in Gore between the winner of that fight and Vince Parker is also off. Southland fans are destined not to see Ray Nicol and Alan Campbell matched. Nicol’s latest accident has put the proposed bout out of court for this season at least, and the best that can be hoped for is that the pair will be seen in action at Invercargill next year sometime.

Although the victims of several setbacks owing to unforseen circumstances recently, the Southland Boxing Association is undismayed. The Match Committee has not allowed the grass to grow under its feet, and more than one prospective professional contest is in the offing. The news that the S.B.A. had matched Les Adams and George McEwan for the vacant middleweight crown was well received locally. The fight will take place in conjunction with the Southland Amateur championships on September 7. Both Adams and McEwan are popular with the Southland boxing public, and whoever wins the bout, the title will be brought to Southland. The amateur tournament to have been staged by the Gore Boxing Club on Thursday next, has now been put back till August 12. Southland’s activities in the fistic game have not been lost on boxers in the north. More than one professional has offered his services to the S.B.A. lately, and it is pleasing to learn that George Spencer and Jack Cossill, of Palmerston North, has been matched. Billy Sullivan is evidently in love with Southland. He has appeared here on three occasions now (once against Nicol and twice against Campbell) and is keen to return as soon as the S.B.A. can see its way to have him. He writes that his arm is in good nick again and tha’t he is prepared to meet Alan Campbell or any other heavyweight. Sullivan is a worker and can be relied upon to please a crowd any time. It is probable that the Oamaru Boxing Association will put on Billy Sullivan and Alan Campbell in the near future.

Had Bill Pasco satisfied the Oamaru Association that he was a good draw card he would probably-have received an invitation back to the North Otago town to meet Crofts, N.Z. amateur

middleweight champion, in a special bout. Unfortunately for the Invercargill boy he was not permitted to give of his best against Ellery at Oamaru and a line was not got on his capabilities. There is always another day. Since the foregoing was written Pasco has turned the tables on Ellery and is certain to be in demand for future tournaments. Colin Jones, the Oamaru featherweight who accounted for Jimmy Moseley in a six-round special at Oamaru, is a cut above the average as good feathers go, and on his showing against Mosely must be regarded as a serious contender for a national championship. He •is a well-proportioned lad, freelimbed and the possessor of height and reach. In addition he has been well taught the art of self-defence. Joe Thwaites, his tutor, had him in splendid trim for his bout with Moseley. If there is an unluckier boxer in New Zealand than Ray Nicol, we have yet to find him. Nicol had just recovered from a motor accident and was fast getting into shape for his contest with Alan Campbell when he fractured a small bone in his left forearm while sparring with George Spencer. This was indeed bad luck for the Ohai man. He was out of action long enough and was losing much good money. Now he will have to take a longer count than will be welcomed.

In view of the boxing boom at present in the south it would not be too much to suggest that the S.B.A. consider staging a benefit night for Nicol. He has served them well and is sure to serve them even better if he can get back into the ring again. I am sure none of Southland’s many fans would fail to support a benefit for the champion. In the meantime all will wish him well and hope that his arm will mend sufficiently strong to enable him to show New Zealand that he was a worthy holder of the light-heavy title and a solid contender for the heavy crown.

Before the S.B.A. had got busy on the title fight for Les Adams and George McEwan, a Wellington paper reported that McEwan was seeking a match with Len Turner, of Blenheim, for the middle-weight crown. There are plenty of good middle "men about just now, and in the absence of Ray Nicol to help us out with title fights, there should be any amount of challenges for the middle crown about to come south. Len Turner, Tommy Mclnnes, Vince Parker, George McEwan, Les Adams and others should provide spice and variety to the prospective contests. Bob Berry, a novice heavy in Bill Crowley’s school, is none other than the champion Pirates Rugby forward who has gained a Maroon cap this year. THE OAMARU TOURNEY. Those who journeyed to Oamaru last week to support the Invercargill boys, Bill Pasco and Jimmy Moseley, in their engagements, will not regret having made the trip. Apart from the entertainment provided by the tournament the social side was not neglected and many friendships were made. Old acquaintances were also renewed and altogether a happy time was spent m the White Stone city. . Further evidence of the interest taken in amateur boxing was pleasingly illustrated by the support accorded the Oamaru tourney. The night was greeted by a packed house and on all sides there were signs that the game in North Otago was heading for a successful future. There were boxing men present from all over the district, as well as a young contingent from Invercargill and several visitors from Dunedin. Among the visiting sportsmen were Jack Breen Ray Nld °b Frank Prendergast, Mick Pasco, Jack Kelly Jim McNeilage (all from ™ e south), Harry Divers (sec. 0.8. A.), Jock Erskin, W. Prince (Dunedin), and Alan Campbell (Timaru). . It must have been very heartening to the Oamaru B.A. to note the interest taken in their “show,’ and whether or not it spurred them to their best for the occasion, the fact remains that it was one of the best run tournaments it has been the writer’s privilege to attend. From president to call boys the enthusiasm of the officials was °ne hundred per cent, and as a result the evening went with a swing which must have satisfied the most exacting. There -were no delays whatever. On one occasion a matter of seconds elapsed between bouts and the M.C. (Mr Jack Stevenson) made it plain that if the boys weren’t on their marks they would receive no consideration. There. was no recurrence of the “delay.” Credit must be handed to Mr J. D. Forbes, the secretary, for his part (a big one) in the organization. He was here, there and everywhere attending to all wants, particularly those of the visitors, and was never at a loss to please. Mr Forbes is well known m Southland as a crack track runner ,of former days, and although a thinning “thatch” betrays fast-slipping youth, he is still a first-class sprinter as far as sport administration is concerned. The Southland boys word loud in their praises of his courtesy and hospitality. There is little need to recapitulate here what happened to the Invercargill boxers at Oamaru. They were beaten by better boys on the night and no excuses were offered. It certainly was a bit of a surprise to see Bill Pasco dropped so r~rly, consequently a line on form could not be obtained. What was seen, however, convinced the visitors that Ellery proved to be a big handful for young Bill, and had the latter been able to see it out there is little doubt it would have proved a great mill. Pasco will benefit by the experience.

The Jones-Moseley tangle was a “trimmer” and more than compensated for disappointments in the PascoEllery bout. For six rounds the pace was a killer and it was a wonder to see both lads hang out the distance and still slug at the finish as if they had just started. Jones was just too good for the Invercargill boy and shaded him in every round. He beat Moseley to the punch and, assisted by his reach and height, had Moseley fighting on the back move for the greater part. Moseley was remarkably cool, however, and fought back as he has never fought before. He concentrated on the body and at odd times rattled Jones with a hard right to the head. In the sixth round Moseley dropped Jones for “one” and later half punched and half pushed Jones down again. It was a torrid last round and had the crowd on its toes with wild excitement. Jones rightly got the verdict. He is a coming champion and any association would be repaid if they matched him. A return Moseley-Jones six-rounder at Invercargill would be well worth the S.B.A.'s while.

The comments on the Oamaru tourney would not be complete without reference to the refereeing of Tom Nightingale. One of the few picturesque figures left in the amateur game, Tom’s control is respected wherever he takes the part of the third man. An old-time pug himself, he knows all the “-pints” of the game and makes it clear 'hat he will not tolerate any nonsense. In two of the bouts of the evening be gave decisions which did not have the unanimous support of the crowd, but nevertheless they were correct decisions. Southlanders admired his stand in disqualifying young McGillivray for going down without being hit. The Waitaki boy was fortunate in not being put out previously for helping himself out through the ropes whenever O’Connell rushed him to a comer. McGillivray did this on two or three occasions. Older Southland boxing men will probably remember Tom Nightingale when he fought the late Mick Ryan.

NOVICES’ NIGHT OUT

SOMF PROMISING MATERIAL. Few, if any, who attended the S.B.A.’s night for novices on Wednesday left the theatre feeling that they hadn’t received a bit more than their money’s worth. Many good amateur nights have been conducted by the local association, but the palm has to be handed to Wednesday’s show for variety and entertainment. It takes the amateurs, particularly the novices, to “get” the crowd. One of the most pleasing aspects of the tourney was the wealth of material offering from the country districts. Almost every corner of the province was represented and the competition at times resolved itself into an inter-dis-trict affair. The Otautau Amateur Boxing Club, recently formed and. from all accounts flourishing, ran away with the representation honours. Eleven entries all told were received from Otautau. This was a very creditable performance for a new club and speaks volumes for the enthusiasm shown in the Western district centre. The question of novices being asked to go three “threes” in their bouts was the only adverse comment brought before the writer’s notice regarding the running of the tournament, and when one reflects upon some of the lighter class bouts, there certainly is support for the argument that three “twos would suit the boys much better. Th’e suggestion is mentioned for what it is worth.

The most promising boys seen out on the night were Jack Reidy (lightweight), G. Spencer (feather), L. Bolger (middle) and M. Pauline (bantam). The three first-named proved to be real “Kayo” kings and of six bouts between the three not one went the full distance. J. Reidy, from Eric McNeill’s School, was the sensationalist of the evening. He wasted no time in preliminary argument with his opponents and dropped one inside six seconds and the other in about double

that time, both for the full count. Reidy ’ possesses a good hook in either hand and provided he himself can absorb punishment, he looks like playing a prominent part in the open classes later. He has improved out of sight since he was last seen in the local ring. G. Spencer, a solidly-built feather, is another hook artist. He was up against a much older opponent in P. Craig, but once he settled down took up the running and severely punished the Ohai man. Spencer is the youngest member of the well-known family of brother boxers from Makarewa. He has won at his first two appearances in the competition ring and shaped as though he will do well. »

A better-than-average type of novice middle was provided in L. Bolger, of Mataura, a pupil of Billy North. Bolger has a good stance and two heavy hands. He was too strong for any of his three opponents. An endeavour is being made to match him in a preliminary to the Spencer-Cossill clash on August 13. M. Pauline, the Otautau bantam, was a bit too classy for J. Taylor (Wallacetown). He vzas very proficient with his left hand and rarely failed to find a mark for it. Some of the boys making their first anpearance probably suffered through ring shyness, while some never got a chance to settle down. They were opposed to boyj who rushed in too suddenly for them, and who knows, much outstanding talent might have been hidden as a result. Their chances will come again. In the meantime, good luck to them as game boys and good losers. H. Baker, an Invercargill boy in Bill Crowley’s school, impressed as one of the outstanding losers. He fought very gamely and showed that he could mix it and take solid punishment. He will improve. F. Gaines (Otautau) appeared to be very unfortunate in losing the decision'to B. Imbs (Invercargill), but while opinion might have been evenly divided in the result of this bout, there appeared to be something radically wrong with the decision in the Chisholm—McNaughton (lightweight) bout. I understand one of the judges made a mistake in the names of the boys. Tmere was no mistaking the winner, and he was McNaughton. The latter was quite entitled to lose the fight on a foul, but seeing the referee allowed the bout to go on, he had every right to be favoured with the announcer’s call. He certainly earned it. In one way it was a pity McNaughton had the decision given against him. Had he succeeded he would have come out against Reid'' in the lightweight final and provided an extra bout. McNaughton is a battler and might have upset Reidy’s lightning k.o. record. - Mr “Son” Tail must have blushed with pride at the reception he got from the crowd when he stepped into the ring to control the Ellery—Pasco special. He must by now be assured of the crowd’s confidence in his ability to give good and impartial service. It was good to see how quickly he stopped some of the fights when a continuation would have meant nothing short of slaughter for one or other of the boys. The crowd likes a good fill and appreciates good and willing slugging, but it spurns unnecessary punishment when one of the contestants is hopelessly and totally eclipsed. , The Ellery-Pasco return proved what it was intended to be, a good draw and a slashing contest. Inded one of the S.B.A. officials regarded it as the best special six rounder ever put on locally. Be that as it may, it pleased the crowd and provided local fans with an exhibition of boxing by Young Bill Pasco that they had previously not been privileged to witness. In most of his fights the Invercargill boy has been a “killer” and has not had to box. This time he showed that he could box as well as slug, and re-established himself with a convincing display. This was Pasco’s 13th fight. His record now is 11 wins, two losses, nine of his victories being by the short route. Gill Ellery was a worthy opponent and loser, and was accorded a warm Southland reception for his part. He unconditionally “handed” it to Young Bill on this occasion and says he is looking froward to the decider which will probably take place in Oamaru in a few weeks’ time. As the result of his good showing Pasco will in all probability now be matched with Crofts by the Oamaru Boxing Association, in addition to the second Ellery return. Nothing succeeds like success. By the way the weights in this contest were given as list. 101 b for each man. Ellery scaled a few pounds over 12 stone when he fought Pasco at Oamaru. STRIBLING AND PALMER. In the meeting between two fighters who are skilful, physique invariably plays a tremendous part. So it will be in the Stadium battle to-night between Palmer and Stribling, wrote W. F. Corbett in the Sydney Sun on the afternoon of the fight. Compare their measurements which

x by “Pa” Stribling, 13.1 or 13.2.

follow:— Palmer. Stribling. Neck. 15in. 16iin. Reach (tip to tip) 73in. 73in. Biceps Forearm 13in. 13in. 16in. 12in. Wrist Chest— 7Jin. 37in. 7in. 38in. Normal Expanded Waist 40in. 29in. 44 in. 32in. Ankle Sin. 9in. Calf 15in. 14in. Thigh Height Weight 22in. 20in. 5ft. lOin. 6ft 12.0 x