BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 21998, 24 April 1933, Page 8

BOXING

CROFTS BEATS PARKER. CONTEST AT GREYMOUTH. (By “Veritas.”) Before a packed house at Greymouth on Saturday evening Tom Crofts, the West Coast middleweight and examateur champion of New Zealand, defeated Vince Parker, of Timaru, on points. The fight went the full distance, 15 rounds, and was considered one of the best exhibitions given on the Coast for many years. Crofts won all the way, but Parker put up a great showing and was not beaten until the 13th round, when Crofts, with a whirlwind two-handed attack, had Parker “out on his feet.” Parker hung on gamely, however, and saved himself from being dropped for the full count. Both boys received an ovation at the finish. Parker and Crofts both have appeared before Invercargill audiences, and when Parker’s showing against Ray Nicol here a few months ago is recalled and taken into consideration, it says much for the vast improvement in Croft’s boxing that he was able to head off such a redoubtable opponent as the Timaruvian. It also suggests that Crofts either must have been badly off colour or decidedly unlucky in his recent bout with Bert Lowe at Dunedin. There was a wide divergence of opinion regarding the result of that bout and the next meeting of the pair should attract considerable interest. Here is an opportunity for the Southland Boxing Association. It will be remembred that Crofts and Lowe were matched to fight at Invercargill some months ago, but owing to Lowe having to undergo an operation at the time the fight was unavoidably abandoned. Crofts appeared here, however, against George McEwan, middle-weight champion of New Zealand, who filled the breach at short notice. Crofts won the bout with a knock-out in the 10th round, and in beating the champion created a splendid impression. His appearance here against Lowe, if arranged, would certainly provide a big draw.