BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 22158, 28 October 1933, Page 15

BOXING

EVENTS AHEAD. November I.—Amateur tourney at Riverton. November 6.—Tournament at Showgrounds in conjunction with tug-of-war and band contest. November- 9.—Double professional bill at Invercargill—Nicol v. Singleton, and Percy Hawes v. Joe Franklyn in 10-rounders. NEWS OF THE WEEK. (By “Veritas.”) The S.B.A. was doomed not to match up Bert Lowe at Invercargill, and now it looks as if it will have to consider getting Harry Lister and Tom Croft together. Tire pair would prove a first class attraction here.

All boxing supporters will lament the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of the ex-Olympic champion and late middleweight professional champion, Bert Lowe. The sympathy of all connected with the game will also go out to Harry Lister for his unfortunate part in the whole affair. Bert Lowe was well known and well liked in Southland. He appeared here as an amateur and always gave of his best. It is appalling to have to realize that such a promising career has been cut off so abruptly. Percy Hawes and Joe Franklyn who have been matched by the S.B.A. in a ten-rounder on the occasion of the Singleton-Nicol match have met twice previously, the decision going to Hawes each time. Now that the Australasian amateur championships have been resuscitated successfully it is hoped the S.B.A. will pursue its ideas about having the next championships staged at Invercargill. A remit making application for the next meeting to be staged at Invercargill was shelved in the meantime at the recent conference of delegates at Blenheim. Invercargill, through the 5.8. A., has second to none claims for this most important fixture The local association is by far the strongest association in New Zealand to-day and is entitled to some consideration for its enterprise. From the N.Z. Sportsman’s Sydney representative:—Lee Paige, the coloured 140 pounder, arrives in Sydney on Saturday. He will probably be thrown in first up with either Delaney or Kelso.

Bobby Blay looks a picture of health these days. He will open his horehound beer bar at Manly shortly. Wally Hancock has returned from the New Zealand cruise and quite elated with his success in the Wellington ring against “Twist” Jaggers. Wally holds the welterweight championship of N.S.W.

Billy Martin with whom Wally Hogg of Napier annexed a draw recently, opened a campaign at Perth last Saturday night by whipping the Victorian welter Jack Garcia.

CHAMPIONS AT BRISBANE TOUR BY NEW ZEALAND BOXERS. Some interesting sidelights on the recent visit of the New Zealand boxers to Australia are given by the president of the Auckland Boxing Association, Mr G. Bush, who managed the Dominion team. Thoroughly satisfied with the performances of the New Zealanders, Mr Bush states that some splendid fighting and exceptionally clever boxing was witnessed during the contests with the Australian champions at Brisbane.

The team received fine hospitality wherever it went and the training facilities left little to be desired. The New Zealanders were particularly conscientious in their training, working to a set programme. One of the best bouts witnessed during the first night of the tourney between the two countries was the meeting of McKay and a Victorian boxer named Cooper. The lastnamed had a big advantage on the score of experience, but the New Zealander put up a wonderful fight and almost had his opponent out in the second round. Tile judges disagreed at the finish, but the referee favoured Cooper. W. Purdie was in fine form against R. Murray, of Queensland, and thoroughly outboxed his opponent. Purdie boxed solidly and steadily and won in a convincing manner. R. Purdie was not so fortunate, having to contend with a very difficult proposition in L. Cook, of Queensland, who shaded the New Zealander for the greater part. Cook wore down his opponent and finished much the stronger. When the decision went against D. Lindesay in his bout with L. Harley, Victoria, some surprise was felt, as the New Zealanders were confident that victory would go to Lindesay. This was a splendid contest which had the spectators on their feet repeatedly. Lindesay had Harley in trouble both in the second and third rounds and the Australian was fortunate not to take the count. Harley is a very clever fighter, however, and staged a good recovery toward the end of the bout, out-boxing the New Zealander. The contests on the second night of the tournament were again productive of first-class fighting. An epic struggle resulted between Lindesay and L. Inskip, of New South Wales. Lindesay, punching very cleanly, had his opponent down three times, but Inskip staged a splendid recovery and, going into the New Zealander, almost beat him at his own game. Mr Bush represented New Zealand at the States’ Conference and has practically arranged for an Australian team to visit New Zealand next year.