BOXING

Southland Times, Issue 22734, 9 November 1935, Page 14

BOXING

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

(By

“Veritas.”)

EVENTS AHEAD.

November 12.—M. Strickland v. Tommy Loughran, at Wembley; Ambrose Palmer v. Eddie Wenstob, at Wembley. November 18.—Bill Pasco v. Ray Nicol (fieavyweight' title) at Invercargill.

The news that Bill Pasco had at last been engaged to fight in Invercargill was well received in Invercargill. Since his recent successes in Australia Pasco has been in strong demand, and at one stage there was just the possibility that the negotiations might fall through. However, it is definite that he is coming to Invercargill, and he is scheduled to fight his first contest, with Ray Nicol, on Monday week. ' This match, involving as it does the vacant heavyweight title, is certain to create great interest. Nicol is in training at tfie present time and it is quite apparent that Pasco is. Both men have a big following in Southland and for that reason there is almost certain to be a capacity house to greet them. The fact that Nicol and Pasco have sparred together many a time will have no effect upon the keenness of rivalry that exists between the two. Before he left New Zealand Pasco was anxious to have a tilt at Nicol’s title, but the opportunity did not occur. Nicol will be just as keen to show that he is not a back number. His form against Les Brander was not Nicol’s form, so that his next appearance may be looked forward to. It promises to be a great night and a great fight.. Pasco's second fight is to be against Vai Luttrell early in December. This, too, should be worth witnessing. Luttrell has improved a lot in recent workouts and has issued a challenge to any heavyweight in New Zealand. He has appeared before an Invercargill audience before, when he put up a good showing against Maurice Strickland in the latter’s first appearance here. Even though the Pasco-Nicol contest will be draw enough it might not be too much to suggest to the Southland Boxing Association that a Stirlmg-Adams bout be arranged as a preliminary tenrounder. Many were not satisfied that Stirling had beaten Adams in their last apnearance here. . n;ll„ Subject to the suspension ot Billy Aitken being lifted, the Hawkes Bay Boxing Association has decided to match Billy Aitken and Billy McKay as the principal bout at a tourney to be staged at Hastings on November 15. Jack Doyle, the Irish heavyweight boxer, who was suspended indefinitely by 37 American States, has now been released from the ban. The New Jersey Boxing Commission, which suspended him, revised the sentence to one of 30 days, and the revision was accepted automatically by all the other States in the National Boxing Association.

The formation of a boxers’ and trainers’ club is the latest development in boxing activities in Hawkes Bay. The first patron of it is Dudney Newbigin, formerly president of the New Zealand Boxing Council. Tire objects of the club are to cater for the social side of amateur boxing and also to centralize training operations. The first step towards attaining the latter was the acquisition of a suitable place for a gymnasium. Already donations of gear have been made. When in use the gymnasium will meet a long-left want in boxmg activities in Hawkes Bay. It is hoped that the club will give a fillip to the sport generally. STRICKLAND AT HOME SYDNEY’S SURPRISE. Sydney, October 24. The cabled news last week that Maurice Strickland would fight Tommy Loughran at the head of the Wembley bill and that Ambrose Palmer would appear in the chief supporting bout on November 12 has caused much comment and no little surprise in boxing circles on this side of the Tasman. That is only natural, writes Ted Turner to the N.Z. Sportsman. While not a soul is prepared to detract from the qualities of the New Zealander, it is generally admitted that not quite up to Palmer, Maurice, in point of skill, is class. That judgment is based upon what has been seen of Strickland in Australian rings. The Wellingtonian arrived in England practically unknown, while Palmer’s doings have been bandied about for the past four years by his continuous victories over American importations and repeated offers from England during the last couple of years. However, it is quite easy to account for the milk in the cocoanut. One Move Ahead. The important feature about Strickland is that the gifted New Zealand heavyweight has been tested and apparently he has given every satisfaction in his first contest in England. He is one jump ahead of Palmer, who has yet to prove himself in an English ring. We have no doubt he will vindicate himself. It might be as well for those who could never see any merit in Strickland’s performances in New Zealand to have a card inscribed “Out of Town” ready for the office door on November 13 when the news comes through. The N.Z. Sportsman’s boxing critics, both in New Zealand and Australia, have every reason for satisfaction at the progress made by a boxer who received his dues in this journal. November 12 is now of tremendous importance to Australia and New Zealand. Our Anzac Knights of the Knuckle go over the top. We wish both representatives the best of luck and the greatest of financial fortune to follow. A HARD FIGHT FISHER BEATS DASLER. Alec. Dasler, formerly of Marlborough and the ex-amateur heavy-weight champion of New Zealand was narrowly defeated on points by “Kid” Fisher, of Wellington and late of England, in a 15-rounds light -heavyweight professional boxing match at the Blenheim Town Hall last Saturday night. It was a terrific fight all the way, every one of the three-minute rounds being packed with action and interest (says the Marlborough Express.) Both men shared fully in the credit for making it one of the toughest mills ever witnessed in the Blenheim ring which in recent years has presented some torrid fistic encounters. A furious pace was set from the first gong, and both men fought themselves to an absolute standstill in a slashing combat that repeatedly lifted the crowd to their feet in wildest excitement. First one man, then tfie other appeared to achieve the mastery in a welter of leather that tested the stamina and plumbed the courage of each. Every turn in the tide of battle whipped the emotions of the spectators, and at times the state of excitement was indescribable. The upshot was that the judges disagreed, and tfie verdict went to Fisher on the referee’s deciding vote. The winner fully deserved tfie award, which was popularly received, but Dasler’s was an honourable defeat in that he was well in the picture at the finish after having forced the pace in every round witfiout exception.